9 July 2023 12:37 pm
The public has been requested to hand over to the Presidential Secretariat the Coats of Arms with archaeological or artistic value that belonged to Sri Lanka's former Governors and Presidents, which went missing during the Aragalaya, before July 31 or face legal consequences.
The Presidential Secretariat said during the forcible occupation of the President's House in Colombo Fort by protesters from July 09 to July 14, 2022, various valuable artifacts and archaeological items went missing, including coats of arms associated with former Governors and Presidents of Sri Lanka.
President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake has emphasized that retaining possession of these official insignia beyond the specified period will result in legal consequences, as the unlawful possession of state property is a punishable offence.
"If anyone has information pertaining to these missing items, the President's Secretary kindly requests that the Presidential Secretariat be contacted via telephone number 0112354354. Public assistance is crucial in locating these coats of arms of significant national importance and their assistance is deeply appreciated,” the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.