Exportation of Antiques without the valid license/ permit issued by the Director General of Archaeology is an offence in terms of provisions of Customs Ordinance (Chapter 235) read with Antiquities Ordinance.
On 11th February 2016, 13 numbers of used ceramic ware were detained suspicious to be having Archaeological value at the Colombo International Container Terminals Limited in Colombo Harbour while being attempted to export without a valid permit. Those ceramic ware were found among the other personal effects in a consignment of a British Citizen. Department of Archaeology has confirmed that 11 numbers of ceramic ware were Antiques.
On 18th December 2016, 08 ceramic ware were detained while being attempted to smuggle out without a valid permit. These ceramic ware were concealed in the checked in baggage of a Lebanon passenger.
