Police arrested 32-year-old Chou Wan last week following a complaint that he had swallowed a 1.5 carat diamond valued at US$13,000. An X-ray showed a diamond was inside Mr Chou's body and he was later given a laxative at a hospital.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said Tuesday that the recovered diamond was a fake and had no financial value. He said investigators suspect another Chinese man seen with Mr Chou and believed to be his accomplice may have the real diamond.