The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the possible theft of valuable artefacts from the Senarath Paranavithana Museum at the University of Peradeniya.
There are concerns of a potential break-in and the loss of several priceless items from the museum’s collection. CID officers have visited the site and have initiated forensic examinations to determine the extent of the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and the university’s governing authority is involved.
According to internal sources, five out of nine invaluable ivory carvings, which hold significant historical value, have been reported missing. Additionally, the investigation has expanded to include the misplacement of ancient books and other important artefacts.
The CID probes of this national crime have sparked widespread attention and concern. Alumni organizations of the University of Peradeniya are advocating for a fair and thorough investigation, as the situation has been a matter of great concern for an extended period.
Dr. Senarath Paranavithana, who was appointed as a professor of Archaeology at the University of Peradeniya in 1957, established the museum as a research and training centre. The museum holds a vast collection of coins used in different historical periods. It primarily consists of artefacts from the bequest of Leslie de Saram, a renowned collector. Other notable collections include those of W.H. Biddel and D.P.E. Hettiarachchi, which have enriched the museum’s offerings. Plaster casts of ancient Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, prepared by J.D.A. Perera, also form a significant part of the collection. Over time, the museum’s holdings have expanded to include objects from different historic periods.
The museum’s collection is diverse, featuring figure sculptures, ritual objects, decorative carvings, weapons, tools, epigraphs, medical and surgical instruments, costumes, coins, medals, beads, geological materials, and more. Some of these objects have been displayed in local and international exhibitions, including at the Commonwealth Institute in London.
The museum is home to several unique and significant artefacts, such as the gold stylus of King Narendrasinha, carved ivories, intaglios of West Asiatic, Indian, and Sri Lankan origin, coins, and beads. Fortunately, these items were catalogued by Prof. Prematilleke in 2004, a renowned museologist known for his work in organizing archaeological, art, and irrigation museums to international standards. However, the museum has been operating without a curator for a long time, and there is no evidence of regular inventory checks.
