The six (06) Sri Lankan artefacts that were in possession of the Netherlands have been physically returned to Sri Lanka after over 200 years abroad.
The artefacts of Sri Lankan origin were accepted by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickremanayake at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake today.
The Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka said the six Sri Lankan artefacts will be on display during a two-day event at the Colombo National Museum on 5 and 6 December.
The restitution event will be open to the public and will comprise activities to educate young and old on the long-shared history of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, it added.
The famous Lewke’s canon, two Gold kastanes (ceremonial sword), Singalese knive, Silver kastane and two guns are among the six artefacts that have been returned to Sri Lanka.
The physical handover comes after a high-level state visit in August, during which Dutch State Secretary Gunay Uslu formally signed an ownership transfer of the six Sri Lankan artefacts that were stolen by the Dutch. (NewsWire)
