Valuable items and paintings of antique value have been stolen by gangs of thieves who had entered the President’s House, Presidential Secretariat, Temple Trees and the Prime Minister’s private residence in the guise of protestors.
The value of the historic paintings and artefacts is millions of dollars.
“There was a valuable painting of great antique value at Temple Trees and Sri Lanka could have bought about 10 fuel shipments by selling it. Its whereabouts are unknown.” I appeal to the protestors to look after those invaluable artefacts,” Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, told the media on Wednesday. He said the damage and destruction caused to these historic buildings during the past few days cannot be estimated in terms of money. This is a national crime and a misfortune to the country. The Galle Face protesters on Thursday, July 14 said that they had decided to vacate the President’s House, Temple Trees and the Prime Minister’s office to restore peace in the country. The protesters had reached this decision following the announcement by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on Thursday.