By COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – After centuries of being held in the Netherlands, six priceless Kandyan artefacts have been officially repatriated to Sri Lanka and put on public display at the National Museum in Colombo. These artefacts, which include golden and silver ceremonial swords, wall guns, and a cannon, were originally taken as war booty by the Dutch East India Company in 1765 during the siege of the Palace of Kandy.
The return of these artefacts marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to recover its cultural heritage. The Dutch government had previously acknowledged that the objects were wrongfully acquired during the colonial period and expressed its willingness to return them to Sri Lanka.
The artefacts will be on display at the Colombo National Museum until further notice, allowing Sri Lankans and visitors from around the world to admire these symbols of the country’s rich cultural heritage.
