Netherlands returns six looted colonial-era artefacts to Sri Lanka

The Netherlands has returned six Sri Lankan colonial-era artefacts looted by the Dutch to Sri Lanka after more than 200 years.

The six historical objects – the Lewke’s cannon, a Golden Kasthane, a Silver Kasthane, a Sinhalese Knife and two Guns – were brought to the island on board SriLankan Airlines flight UL554 from Frankfurt in Germany.

The artefacts were ceremoniously accepted by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickremanayake at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake at around 5:05 a.m. this morning (Nov.29). Dutch Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Bonnie Horbach and a group of officials attached to the Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs Ministry, the National Museum in Colombo and the Foreign Affairs Ministry were also in attendance.

During a high-level state visit in August this year, Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu, signed two legal documents for the ownership transfer of the six Sri Lankan artefacts.

According to an earlier statement issued by the Embassy of the Netherlands, these historical objects are planned to be on public display at the National Museum in Colombo during a two-day event on December 05 and 06.

The restitution event will be open to the public and will comprise activities to educate the members of the public on the long-shared history of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

The museum is also planning to host public lectures by experts, guided tours, and a panel discussion.

The Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, Dewi van de Weerd is leading the mission overseeing the handover on behalf of the Netherlands.

With the restitution, the Dutch Embassy said the Netherlands aims to strengthen the bilateral ties with Sri Lanka, while also coming to terms with its colonial past.

As a part of this, Ambassador Van de Weerd hopes to discuss the possibilities for further strengthening the cultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

Governments, museums, universities and advisory committees in both countries are already working together to return more Sri Lankan cultural heritage in the future, through these initiatives, the Dutch government aims to open a new chapter in its relationship with Sri Lanka;  a chapter with more focus on justice, reconciliation and equality.