In a significant event, the Netherlands officially handed back six historical items to Sri Lanka on August 28, 2023. These Sri Lankan treasures, dating back to colonial times, hold special value, including a remarkable cannon adorned with gold, silver, bronze, and rubies, which has stood for over 275 years.
This development follows a significant shift catalyzed by a pivotal speech in 2017 by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. In his address, he emphasized the paramount importance of returning African artifacts.
As a result, countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands have begun examining the holdings in their ethnological museums. They have subsequently initiated the process of sending back numerous items to their places of origin.
Formal return of Sri Lankan treasures
The formal handover of these treasures took place during a solemn ceremony hosted at Colombo’s cultural ministry. Leading the proceedings, Gunay Uslu, the Dutch deputy minister responsible for culture, education, and science, officially transferred the ownership of these valuable possessions to Sri Lanka, as reported by local authorities.
Gunay Uslu showed excitement, stating, “This is a historic moment.” He further said, “It’s the first time we’re following recommendations of the committee to give back objects that should never have been brought to the Netherlands.”
Sri Lanka’s National Museum has granted permission to Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum to keep the artifacts safe until they are sent to Colombo in December.
The initial group of items scheduled to be sent back to Sri Lanka falls within a policy introduced by the Netherlands in 2021. This policy aims to restore cultural artifacts that were taken from former colonies.
Items to be returned
Among the items to be returned to Sri Lanka is Lewke’s Cannon. Thought to have been presented as a present from Sri Lankan noble Lewke Disava to the Kandy king approximately during 1745 to 1746, the cannon was taken by Dutch soldiers in 1765.
The 18th-century "Lewke's cannon" is believed to have been a gift by a Sri Lankan aristocrat called Lewke Disava to the king of Kandy 1745-46.
It is believed to have fallen into Dutch hands in 1765 when Dutch troops led by the governor of Ceylon attacked and conquered Kandy. pic.twitter.com/S0etYwteKM
— Kalana Wanniarachchi (@Kalana123) July 8, 2023
Having been showcased across the Netherlands, the cannon ultimately found its place in the Rijksmuseum.
The remaining objects—two swords made of gold and silver, two guns, and a knife—all hail from the time when the Dutch governed the South Asian island, spanning from 1658 to 1796.
The decision to give back the historical artifacts
The choice to give back these items came after suggestions from a government-designated group that investigated unlawful Dutch colonial acquisitions.
The establishment of the commission occurred in response to a request made by Indonesia. Indonesia had asked its previous colonial ruler, the Netherlands, to return certain artworks and collections related to natural history. Sri Lanka has similarly made a request for the repatriation of its pilfered treasures.
The island was governed by the Portuguese from 1505 to 1658. This was succeeded by Dutch rule, and eventually, the British took over until the country gained its independence in 1948.
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