Dutch Government returns priceless artifacts to Sri Lanka

The Dutch government  officially handed over  to Sri Lanka,  six priceless Kandyan artifacts which were seized as war booty during the Dutch colonial occupation of the country, at a ceremony held at the National Museum today (05). A commemorative postage stamp was also issued during the event.

The items returned include a golden and silver kasthãné (ceremonial swords), two maha thuwakku (wall guns), and Lewke Disave’s cannon, which were originally taken by the Dutch East India Company in 1765, during the siege of the Palace of Kandy. The artifacts will be on public display at the Colombo National Museum from today.

Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayake, the President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff  Sagala Ratnayaka,  Minister of State for Media, Shantha Bandara, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, Ms. Bonnie Horbach, the Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Dewi van de Weerd, Ambassador of Egypt in Sri Lanka Maged Mosleh the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs, Somaratne Vidanapathirana, the Director General of the National Museum Department, Sajani Kasturiarachchi, were present at the ceremony.