Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: A fire broke out near Bir al-Sabee (Beersheba) in the western al-Naqab (Negev) as a result of an Iranian missile impact
Israeli media: The Home Front Command is investigating the reason for the delayed alert to the public, who arrived just three minutes before the sirens were activated
Iran: Islamic Revolution Guard Corps: We targeted the base from which the (Israeli) attack on the state broadcasting authority was launched
Israeli media outlet: In Israel, they are investigating whether the recent strike was carried out using cruise missiles rather than ballistic missiles, and this is also the reason for the significant delay in discovering the launches
Araghchi: Iran has never withdrawn from the dialogue table, but the focus at this stage is on an effective and painful response to deter aggression
Araghchi: Israel launched this war against the Iranian people with the direct support and complicity of the United States
Araghchi: We hold the Zionist entity and its supporters responsible for the consequences of any escalation in the war
Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: Iran's legitimate defense against aggression will continue with strength
Israeli media: An Iranian missile struck Bir al-Sabee' in the south
Broadcasted footage documented an Israeli air defense missile malfunction, impacting the ground amid the Iranian missile strike

Amnesty for looted artifacts: Sri Lanka wants its treasures back

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Jul 2023 18:37
3 Min Read

The relevant artifacts are the ones that were looted during the protests at the presidential palace last year.

  • x
  • Sri Lankan protesters, some carrying national flags, stand on top of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 13, 2022 (AP)
    Sri Lankan protesters, some carrying national flags, stand on top of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 13, 2022 (AP)

On Sunday, Sri Lanka offered an amnesty for the return of historical artifacts that had been stolen after protesters broke into the presidential palace last year, which forced the country's then-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa to leave.

Thousands of people broke into the palace on July 9, 2022, after months of demonstrations over Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since earning independence from Britain in 1948.

Read more: Sri Lankan protesters force President to flee palace

A month-long amnesty to surrender the objects was announced by Rajapaksa's successor Ranil Wickremesinghe's administration.

"Various valuable artefacts and archaeological items went missing, including coats of arms associated with former governors and presidents of Sri Lanka," the announcement read.

During its five-day takeover, the artifacts were taken from the palace, which has served as a symbol of state power for more than 200 years, in the center of Colombo.

Five coats of arms, including the one of Jorge de Albuquerque, the seventh Portuguese governor chosen in 1622 to rule the island, were photographed and made public by the authorities.

Various governors owned coats of arms during the 19th and 20th decades of British colonial authority.

Related News

World Bank: Global growth to slow sharply, worst since 2008

Egypt poised for another interest rate cut ahead of economic reforms

Social media images -- after the protesters took over the palace -- showed them having fun in the presidential pool and jumping on four-poster beds.

Security personnel moved back as Rajapaksa made his getaway through a back door. Crowds snapped pictures in front of priceless artifacts.

Protesters accused Rajapaksa of corruption and poor financial management of the country.

Read more: Sri Lanka: Troops open fire to quell unrest over fuel shortages

Later, police detained a man who had been walking home with a mug of presidential beer, and they apprehended two more people when they posted pictures on Facebook and claimed they had stolen Rajapaksa flags to make a sarong and a bedsheet.

A court has already ordered the former President to explain how he acquired the $6,000 in cash that activists discovered in Rajapaksa's bedroom, which they then turned over to the police.

Initially seeking refuge in Singapore and Thailand, Rajapaksa has now returned under close surveillance.

After increasing taxes and dramatically boosting prices, his successor put a stop to protests and restored basic supplies.

Read next: Sri Lanka considering selling endangered macaques to China

  • economic crisis
  • Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Ranil Wickremesinghe
  • Sri Lanka
  • Singapore
  • Looted artifacts
  • thailand

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025
'Israel' launches major strike against Iran's nuclear program

'Israel' launches massive aggression on Iran

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Smoke rises from an oil storage facility after it appeared to have been struck by an Israeli strike on Saturday, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Hezbollah, regional media authorities condemn Israeli IRIB bombing

The trace of a projectile is seen before hitting Tel Aviv, early Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' bans foreign journalists from covering Haifa oil refinery

In this Dec. 23, 2019 file photo released by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, technicians work at the Arak heavy water reactor's secondary circuit near Arak, Iran (AEOI)
Politics

Iran signals no new concessions in nuclear talks with US, WSJ reports

An IRIB correspondent reporting live after the broadcaster's headquarters were struck by Israeli airstrikes, Tehran, June 16, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

Following blatant threats, 'Israel' bombs Iran's state broadcaster

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS