Maldivian national wanted in connection to vandalism of Buddha statues in Mawanella

The Sri Lankan police have issued a public announcement seeking the whereabouts of a Maldivian national wanted in connection to the vandalism of several Buddha statues in the Sri Lankan town of Mawanella in 2018.

The Sri Lankan police have released a facial composite of the suspect, who has been identified as a Maldivian male between 30 – 35 years of age.

According to the Sri Lankan press, the Maldivian national has a connection to the main suspect in the vandalism case.

The vandalism of Buddha statues in Mawanella – a town located in the Kegalle district in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka – took place in December 2018 – and led to heightened religious tensions among the Sinhalese and Muslim communities in the area.

The case is under investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka. 14 suspects have been arrested in connection to the case.