Archeology Dept. takes measures to protect President’s House from further damage by public

People crowd to visit Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence in Colombo after it was overrun by anti-Government protestors – AFP

People play cards inside the official residence of Sri Lanka's Prime Minister, in Colombo after it was overrun by anti-Government protestors – AFP 

The Director General of Archaeology, Professor Anura Manatunga in a statement has said that due to the events of the last Saturday, archaeological monuments including the President’s House in Colombo have been damaged and legal action will have to be taken in accordance with the Antiquities Ordinance Act.

The Official said that in order to prevent further damage to the old monuments located in those places and to protect valuable ancient and cultural properties, appropriate actions were taken with the security officials and the parties leading the struggle, and the officials of the Archeology Department will continue to regularly inspect those places.

The announcement also states:

As the Director General of Archaeology, it has come to my special attention that due to the events that took place on the 9th and the subsequent circumstances, the archaeological monuments including the President’s House in Colombo have been damaged and the ancient and cultural objects in those places should be prevented from being further destroyed or misplaced.

Accordingly, at the first possible opportunity, our officials have taken maximum measures to protect the valuable objects in those places.

Today (12 July), along with the Additional Secretary (Heritage Division) of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and the relevant officials of the Department of Archeology, I personally inspected the damaged places of the Presidential Palace, the Presidential Secretariat and the Temple Trees House.

Appropriate measures were taken with the security personnel and parties leading the struggle to prevent further damage to the ancient monuments located at those places and to protect the valuable ancient and cultural properties. The officers of our department will continue to check those places regularly.

I hereby emphasise to avoid damaging or stealing the monuments and antiquities which are public property and the heritage of the nation and if it is done, legal action will have to be taken in accordance with the Antiquities Ordinance Act.

Furthermore, I remind that protecting the national heritage is the responsibility and duty of the general public.