Rare Sri Lankan statue recovered in TN India

(BBC) - Police Officials from Tamilnadu say a rare idol of Lord Muruga from Sri Lanka has been seized from an individual in the Namakkal district.
The statue is from the Katharagama in the south of Sri Lanka as confirmed by the police. Police also say archaeological experts have confirmed the idol to be 300 years old and made of 'panchalogam' ( a combination of five metals viz., gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead) and is considered priceless.

Deputy Inspector General of the Idol Thefts Wing of the Tamilnadu State Police, Arumugam told BBC Tamilosai the idol was seized from an individual named Srinivasan who was trying to sell it in the local market. The police claim they laid a trap and followed it for a month before seizing the idol and arresting the individual.

The DIG of Police also says that the crown, design and pattern of the idol represent traits of Sri Lanka. This has been confirmed by the recognized archaeologists.

The arrested individual who has been remanded claims that it was given to him by a Sri Lankan requesting that it may be sold. Based on the archaeological value the idol was quoted as having a price-tag of five million Indian rupees (10 million Sri Lankan rupees). Police however say the idol seems not to have been from a temple in Sri Lanka.

However investigations are ongoing and if needed the Government will get in touch with Sri Lankan authorities as well the TN police official said.

The idol is being kept in safe custody under the protection of an armed guard at the famous Thiruvanaikkaval Temple in Trichy.