Sword theft at the National Museum forgotten

The CID investigation into the theft of historical artifacts including swords and gold coins from the National Museum has been temporarily stopped on a Presidential directive, it is learnt.

Angered by comments made by some CID officials to a group of journalists that politicians and government officials were involved in the National Museum theft, the President has ordered the IGP to inform the CID officers not to level baseless allegations against his friends.

A CID officer told us that statements about the theft were to be recorded by Minister Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya, wife of National Heritage Minister Jagath Balasuriya, Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya and assistant directors of the National Museum, but had to be stopped on a directive by the IGP. He added that a large amount of details related to the theft could have been uncovered if the statements were recorded from these people.