PoliticsGeneralHOTThursday, May 21, 2026

42 Antique Paintings Missing from National Art Gallery; Investigation Underway

TLDR

42 antique paintings missing from National Art Gallery.
2015 inventory flagged loss; 15 questioned, 7 officials probed.
Missing include '43 Group' art; Minister Sunil Senevi confirmed probe.

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi announced in Parliament today that 42 antique paintings have gone missing from the National Art Gallery. The disappearance was identified following a 2015 stock verification process. According to records, the gallery should have held 281 paintings, but only 239 were found during the inspection. This discrepancy indicates the loss of 42 artworks. In response, the Ministry Secretary has appointed a committee to launch a formal investigation into the matter.

2 Updates

Update #3\u00b7 May 23 · 3:01 PM

Police have recorded statements from 15 individuals, including 7 officials from the Department of Cultural Affairs, as part of the investigation into the 42 missing antique paintings. It has been revealed that the missing artworks include priceless antique works and several creations by the renowned '43 Group'. A preliminary investigation into the matter has been initiated by a committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The 2015 inventory inspection report, which first noted the inconsistencies, detailed that 281 paintings were registered, but only 239 were found in the gallery.

Update #2\u00b7 May 21 · 7:46 AM

The investigation into the 42 missing antique paintings from the National Art Gallery has revealed that inconsistencies were first noted in a 2015 inventory inspection report. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi confirmed the ongoing probe in Parliament, responding to MP Mujibur Rahman.

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