Sri Lanka arrests former minister accused of aiding sacred stone theft

A former Sri Lankan minister has been arrested on allegations of aiding the theft of a centuries-old sacred stone from a palace in the island nation.

Keheliya Rambukwella, a former health and environment minister, was arrested on August 18 by Sri Lanka's Anti-Corruption Commission. He is accused of involvement in the theft of a sandakada pahana, or moonstone, from the palace of King Veera Parakrama Narendrasinghe, who reigned over the Kandy kingdom from 1707-1739. The commission stated that Rambukwella "colluded, assisted, and aided the theft" while serving as minister.

The sandakada pahana is a distinctive feature of ancient Sri Lankan architecture. It is an intricately carved semicircular stone slab typically placed at the base of staircases or entrances. Historians explain that the sandakada pahana symbolizes the cycle of rebirth in Buddhism.

A sandakada pahana from the Kandy era. Photo: Sridaladamaligawa

Rambukwella's arrest comes as Sri Lankan authorities are prosecuting him for other alleged offenses, including the purchase of fake medicine for public hospitals during his tenure. Police reported that Rambukwella approved the acquisition of a specialized cancer drug that was, in fact, merely water. Several other former high-ranking officials from Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health also face charges related to this fake medicine scandal.

Additionally, the former minister is accused of using state funds to employ six staff members for his private business.

Rambukwella became Health Minister in May 2022, a period when Sri Lanka faced a severe medicine shortage following the country's default on its debt in April 2022. He left this position in October 2023 and subsequently led Sri Lanka's Ministry of Environment until February 2024.