Police recover Rs 5 billion diamond and arrest diamond thief "Keluma"

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A diamond rumoured to be valued at over Rs. 5 billion believed to have been stolen from Pannipitiya recently has now been recovered. The diamond was found during a raid in Keselwatta carried out by the Peliyagoda crime investigation division. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that one suspect, named "Kelum Indika" alias "Keluma" was arrested in connection with the incident. When inspecting his residence in Pitigala, a sum of Rs. 15 million has also been discovered. SP Ruwan Gunasekara speaking to News 1st said that the investigations disclosed that the suspect was given the items including the diamond and gems, two pistols and a T56 by a group that carried out these crimes in Pilyandala. He further said that they were able to discover 10g of heroin, 126 mobile phones and 40 pounds of gold in the suspects' possession. Gunasekara said that upon inspection of another residence that was taken on rent as a hideout that 647 bullets, a hand grenade and three pairs of handcuffs and sets of uniforms similar to those worn by Police and the army were also discovered. He added that when inspecting the rear garden of this residence which was situated in Pitigala that they were also able to find a sum of Rs. 15 million that was buried.