Fugitive monk arrested

8 July 2012 12:06 pm Views - 5456

The CID arrested a prominent monk who was wanted in connection with assisting suspects involved in a number of high profile robberies in the country.

Police said the monk Ven. Megettuwatte Sumiththa Thera, was wanted for providing shelter, assistance and advice to the suspects who carried out the Rs.40 million robbery by breaking into a jewellery shop in Aluthgama.

The suspect was also wanted for assisting another robbery of gold worth around Rs .2.3 million from a house in Bentota. During investigations it was revealed that the monk had been directly involved in almost all high profile robberies which took place in the Galle, Aluthgama, Bentota, Habaraduwa and Elpitiya areas during the last three years.

A senior police officer said the monk was not arrested as there was no sufficient evidence to link the involvement of the monk with these high profile robberies especially in the jewellery robbery which took place in Aluthgama.

According to residents the monk had a large number of followers and that most of them stayed at the temple. But rumours were spreading about his links with robber gangs and his craze for money. (Supun Dias)