Returned colonial-era artefacts on public display from December 05

Following a milestone in international relations and provenance research, six priceless Kandyan artefacts seized during the Dutch colonial occupation of Sri Lanka have now been returned from the Netherlands.

Accordingly, these Kandyan artefacts will be on public display at the Colombo National Museum from December 05 until further notice, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

A commemorative postage stamp issued during the event serves as a symbolic marker, celebrating the milestone in international relations and provenance research.

This marked a significant step in cultural collaboration between the two nations, the PMD added.

The exhibits – the Lewke’s cannon, a Golden Kasthane, a Silver Kasthane, a Sinhalese Knife and two Guns – had originally been taken as war booty by the Dutch East India Company in 1765, during the siege of the Palace of Kandy.