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: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations

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

Palestine's economic kingdom: How genocide impacted Nablus

Millions of children in UK going hungry amid economic crisis

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

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

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