The investigations into the incident of stealing a valuable ancient monument well-known as ‘Sandagala’ from the Kundasale Udamaluwa Archaeological Reserve in Rajawella, Pallekele have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The site of this archaeological monument is said to be the site of the palace of Sri Weera Parakrama Narendrasingha who ruled the Kundasale Kingdom of Kandy from 1707 to 1739.
The rock weighing more than 1,000 kilos, which was engraved with more than 300 years old carvings, had been stolen during the night of December 13-14.
It was alleged that the Pallekele Police, which earlier conducted investigations, were delaying investigations. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that powerful politicians of the area and a group of thugs and top police officers were involved in the incident.
Even though the number plates of the vehicles that arrived at the location to take away the ancient rock were clearly recorded on the CCTV cameras, allegations have been made that police investigations were progressing at a slow pace to identify suspects.
Meanwhile, Central Province Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne said that since the investigations should be carried out more extensively, the investigation was assigned to the CID by the order of the Inspector General of Police.
