The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) has apprehended Somipala T. Ratnayaka, the Chief Custodian of Ruhunu Kataragama Devalaya, in connection with the mysterious disappearance of a gold plate from the sacred shrine. Ratnayaka voluntarily surrendered himself to the authorities as investigations into the missing artifact unfolded.

The incident came to light when NMG Ajith Pushpakumara, a man unrelated to the Devalaya, brought forward a gold plate similar to the one reported missing. On October 26 of the previous year, Pushpakumara handed over the gold plate to the Administrative Secretary of the Kataragama Devalaya, sparking a chain of events that led to the current arrest.

The missing gold plate, offered to the Kataragama Devalaya in 2019, had been a donation from the wife of the late organized criminal Angoda Lokka. The gold plate, weighing 36 sovereigns and crafted from 21-carat gold, was intended to ward off evil on behalf of Angoda Lokka's son.

Following the disappearance of the valuable artifact, the Colombo Crimes Division initiated a thorough investigation, including recording statements from the wife of Angoda Lokka.