Sri Lanka and the Netherlands Strengthen Cultural Ties through Return of Colonial Artefacts
By: Staff Writer
October 03, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Netherlands, Rekha Gunasekera, recently met with Eppo Bruins, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science of the Netherlands, to discuss the repatriation of a second set of colonial artefacts.
The meeting took place in The Hague, where Ambassador Gunasekera presented a list of artefacts identified by Sri Lanka for the next phase of repatriation. She highlighted that the first batch of returned artefacts, now displayed at the Colombo National Museum, has attracted many visitors, including Dutch tourists.
During the meeting, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the two nations in the process of returning colonial artefacts. She noted that this effort reflects the goodwill between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands and strengthens cultural diplomacy between the countries. Ambassador Gunasekera expressed her desire to maintain the positive momentum in this collaboration.
Minister Bruins echoed these sentiments, expressing his government’s commitment to the policy of returning artefacts that were taken during the colonial era.
He emphasized that the return of these objects goes beyond a symbolic gesture; it represents a sincere effort by the Netherlands to address its colonial past and promote a future of understanding and partnership with Sri Lanka.
The Minister assured that the list of artefacts would be forwarded to the Advisory Committee on the Return of Cultural Objects from Colonial Context for further review.
The recent collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands is part of an ongoing effort to repatriate artefacts taken during the colonial period.
In December 2023, the Netherlands returned six colonial-era items to Sri Lanka, including the Lewke Cannon, a Golden Royal Kasthane (a traditional Sri Lankan sword), a Royal Silver Kasthane, a Golden Royal Knife, and two wall guns.
These items, taken by the Dutch East India Company in 1765 following the siege of Kandy, had been part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands for centuries.
The process of reclaiming these artefacts began with thorough international research conducted in April 2022, which confirmed their Sri Lankan origins.
The diplomatic initiative was spearheaded by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayake, whose efforts helped facilitate the return of these precious items.
Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi, the Director General of the Department of National Museums, emphasized the significance of this return, noting that it showcases the importance of international collaboration in preserving cultural heritage.
The artefacts are now on display at a special exhibition gallery at the Colombo National Museum, further strengthening cultural ties between the two countries and paving the way for future returns of Sri Lankan treasures.
The artefact return represents a meaningful milestone in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to recover its cultural heritage and serves as an important reminder of the power of international cooperation in addressing historical injustices.
