A group which has been allegedly involved in a large-scale racket of stealing and selling oxygen cylinders from the Polonnaruwa General Hospital for a long time, has been arrested.

Following a complaint made by the Deputy Director of the hospital, and a long investigation conducted by the officers of the Polonnaruwa Criminal Investigation Division, the police said that 6 suspects were arrested this morning (06), including a hospital employee.It is reported that the related theft has taken place since year 2020 and 210 oxygen cylinders have been  stolen in this manner.

It has also been revealed in the investigation conducted by the police that a stolen oxygen cylinder was sold to various parties amounts between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 40,000.

The arrested suspects are to be presented to the Polonnaruwa Magistrate’s court and Polonnaruwa Police are conducting further investigations into the incident