Acts of vandalism, including graffiti, have been discovered on the walls of Usgekolhu, the last surviving structure of the former Maldivian Royal Palace complex, as the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Heritage says the site remains outside its control because the Malé City Council has yet to hand it over.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said it has launched a joint investigation with the Maldives Police Service to identify those responsible for the vandalism. It said those involved will face legal action under the Maldivian Cultural Heritage Act (Law No. 12/2019).
The ministry also disclosed that it had formally requested the Malé City Council to transfer the keys and management of Usgekolhu in preparation for a restoration and development project. However, despite the request, the council has not officially handed over the historic property, delaying efforts to place the site under the ministry’s protection.
The delay comes as one of the country’s most important heritage landmarks has now been defaced.
Usgekolhu was built during the reign of Sultan Haji Imaduddin VI (1893 to 1903) and is the only surviving building from the former Royal Palace complex. More than a century old, it also served as the home of the Maldives’ first National Museum when it opened 74 years ago, making it one of the nation’s most historically significant sites.
According to the ministry, the building is an important example of traditional Maldivian architecture and craftsmanship. It warned that damage to heritage sites such as Usgekolhu permanently erodes the country’s cultural identity and historical legacy.
The ministry said it has now begun legal and administrative procedures to bring Usgekolhu under its direct management, arguing that stronger oversight is necessary to prevent further neglect and ensure the preservation of one of the Maldives’ last remaining royal heritage sites.
