COLOMBO, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) — Six valuable artifacts seized during the Dutch colonial occupation of Sri Lanka, which have been returned from the Netherlands, were on display at the Colombo National Museum from Tuesday, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The unveiling of the Kandyan artifacts took place at the National Museum on Tuesday, presided over by Minister of Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake and President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, according to the PMD.
The exhibits include golden and silver kasthane (ceremonial swords), two maha thuwakku (wall guns), and Lewke Disave’s cannon, which were originally taken as war booty by the Dutch East India Company in 1765, during the siege of the Palace of Kandy, the PMD said in a statement.
The Sri Lankan government has approved a proposal this year to appoint a committee to take steps for the repatriation for Sri Lankan artifacts in various countries. ■
