Six artifacts which were taken by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) from Sri Lanka over two centuries ago, are to be returned to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs says.
A media release issued by the ministry notes that these artifacts include a golden Kasthane or sabre, a silver sabre, a golden knife, 02 ‘Maha Thuwakku’ or wall guns as well as the Lewke Disave’s cannon-all.
They were taken during the siege of the Kandyan palane in 1765 as war booty and are currently found in the Rijks museum.
The media release also notes that the 06 artifacts are to be officially returned to Sri Lanka and the decision has been gazetted in the Netherlands on July 06.
The complete media release issued in this regard by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, is as follows :
