Seeduwa chief prelate murdered - Novice monk nabbed fleeing to Dubai

COLOMBO (News 1st) - An 18-year-old novice monk was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport over the murder of the chief prelate of a temple in Seeduwa, while attempting to fly to Dubai on Thursday, the police spokesman said.  

The suspect was arrested when he was attempting to fly to Dubai on Thursday (15).

A 50-year-old monk was found dead under suspicious circumstances inside a Temple in Seeduwa.

Police said they received information about a foul stench emanating from the Wettewa Nandaram Temple on Wednesday (14) evening, and a team was rushed to conduct an investigation.

To their surprise, police officers discovered that the room used by the 50-year-old Chief Incumbent was locked from the outside, and the foul stench emanating from that room.

After breaking the locks and entering the room, police officers discovered the remains of the Chief Incumbent.

The body was found blindfolded, and a cloth was used to cover the late Thero's mouth, said the police.

It was later reported that another monk had been residing in the Temple, and he had left the premises without notifying anyone.

Interestingly, the Defender SUV, and a small car that was seen parked at the Temple Premises are also missing.