Kataragama Devalaya chief custodian arrested over gold tray disappearance

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   
The chief custodian of the Kataragama Devalaya, Somipala T. Ratnayake, the main suspect in the disappearance of a gold tray made out of 38 gold sovereigns, which was donated to the Kataragama Devalaya by a devotee, was arrested and released on bail, Police said.   

He was arrested after he surrendered to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) last morning.   
The chief custodian was produced in Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court after recording a three-hour-long statement over the incident.   
The gold tray had been offered to the devale by the wife of drug kingpin Maddumage Lasantha Chandana Perera alias Angoda Lokka suspected to have died in India.   
Investigations revealed that the golden tray had been placed inside the room of the chief custodian, Somipala. T. Ratnayake.   
Upon learning of the disappearance of the item, a formal complaint was lodged in 2021 by the Basnayake Nilame of Kataragama Devalaya.   
The investigations were later handed over to the CCD on the directives of Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. The CCD officers sought advice from the Attorney General in this regard.   
The Colombo Crimes Division recently arrested a lay custodian of the Kataragama Devale, known as ‘Chooti Kapuwa,’ over the missing gold tray and later was released on bail.