The Netherlands will physically return six Sri Lankan artefacts to Sri Lanka during a two-day event at the Colombo National Museum.
In a statement, the Dutch Embassy in Colombo said that during a high-level state visit in August, Dutch State Minister Jonai Oslo officially signed the transfer of ownership of six Sri Lankan artefacts stolen by the Dutch.
The embassy also said that now, after more than 200 years abroad, six Sri Lankan artefacts will be physically returned to Sri Lanka during a two-day event at the Colombo National Museum on December 5 and 6.
The repatriation event will be open to the public and will include activities to educate young and old about the long shared history between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.
The museum also plans to host public lectures by experts, guided tours, and panel discussions. The area surrounding the museum will have food stalls and there will be fun educational activities for children.
The embassy said that Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation Dewi van de Weerd will lead a mission to supervise the delivery process on behalf of the Netherlands.
Through the restoration, the Netherlands aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, while also coming to terms with its colonial past. As part of this, Ambassador van de Weerd hopes to discuss possibilities for enhancing cultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
She added that governments, museums, universities and advisory committees in both countries are already working together to bring back more Sri Lankan cultural heritage in the future.
The Netherlands Embassy added that through these initiatives, the Netherlands government aims to open a new chapter in its relationship with Sri Lanka, a chapter that focuses more on justice, reconciliation and equality. (Newswire)
