The Galle Harbour Police arrested a 40‑year‑old resident of Poddala on Wednesday (10) in connection with a string of thefts targeting monks’ residences and donation boxes at temples across Galle and surrounding areas.

The suspect was taken into custody in Karapitiya with 4,700 Chinese Yuan, 1,112 US Dollars, Rs. 24,120 in cash, and 2,740 milligrams of heroin, allegedly stolen from a temple in the Makuluwu area.

Investigations have revealed that the suspect is linked to several break‑ins at temples within the police divisions of Galle, Yakkalamulla, Imaduwa and Galle Harbour, where cash was stolen from donation boxes and monks’ quarters.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Galle Magistrate’s Court today (11), while Galle Harbour Police are continuing further investigations. (Newswire)

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has cautioned that all transactions between residents in the country must be conducted in Sri Lankan Rupees, in line with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act No. 16 of 2023. 

The Bank noted instances where residents have been transacting locally in foreign currency and clarified that no authorization has been granted for merchants to accept payments into Foreign Currency Accounts, including via credit or debit cards.

According to the Central Bank, any resident making payments in foreign currency to a local merchant, or any merchant accepting such payments without authorization, commits an offence under the CBSL Act. 

Upon conviction, offenders face penalties of up to Rs. 25 million, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. 

The Central Bank urged the public and business community to strictly adhere to these statutory requirements to avoid severe legal consequences. (Newswire)

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