Rumours that a bell stolen from the Shwedagon Pagoda in the 16th century had been found proved to be just that – rumours. The salvage company has reportedly given up on the search, and public opinion has shifted to that of anger after donations were given to the ultimately fruitless cause.
Officials insist bell must return to pagoda
Myanmar Times, 30 August 2014
Hope turns to anger as bell search ends
Myanmar Times, 12 September 2014
The tide appears to be turning against those leading the expedition to raise the fabled Dhammazedi Bell. The team announced on August 26 that it had located the bell at the bottom of the Yangon River but has since failed to offer up any evidence to support the claim, prompting some to question whether donors to the effort have been duped.
Adding fresh fuel to the fire, a spokesperson for the effort, U Kyi Win, confirmed to The Myanmar Times that the search had stopped all equipment would be returned to the government on September 18.
The team had requested K180 million to cover the initial expenses related to the search, and quickly raised K150 million from businesses and individuals.
Full story here.
