FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – An audit conducted at the National Art Gallery in Sri Lanka revealed that 42 significant ancient paintings are currently unaccounted for, as stated by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs during a parliamentary session.
A committee for physical verification and survey was established in 2015 on the directive of the then Director of Cultural Affairs to assess the paintings and sculptures housed in the gallery, Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi explained in response to inquiries.
Upon completion of the assessment, the committee compiled a stock verification report, which pointed out inconsistencies between the recorded assets and the actual works present in the gallery.
The official inventory indicates that the National Art Gallery is supposed to hold a collection of 281 paintings. However, the current count of paintings physically located at the Kalabhavana stands at only 239. This results in a discrepancy of 42 pieces.
Senevi informed the parliament that measures for enforcement and appropriate legal actions regarding the missing artworks have been initiated. An inquiry committee, appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs, has begun a preliminary investigation.
This committee is actively gathering statements and evidence from relevant individuals. In parallel to the ministry’s inquiry, a police investigation is also underway, he added. The Colombo South Division Criminal Investigation Bureau is performing evaluations, and the case is progressing based on the information collected periodically, Senevi noted.
Currently, the National Art Gallery is undergoing renovations and is not open to the public. (Colombo/May21/2026)
