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Sri Lanka secures Grant for research on colonial Palm Leaf manuscripts

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Sri Lanka secures Grant for research on colonial Palm Leaf manuscripts
Sri Lanka’s Department of National Archives has won a competitive Dutch grant to lead research into the palmleaf collections in the Netherlands of Sri Lankan origin, with a view to restitution.

The Dutch Research Council has awarded funding to 11 research within the call ‘Research into collections with a colonial context’.

Dutch museum collections may contain looted objects with a colonial context. This programme aims to redress injustice and strengthen trust and cooperation with the countries of origin.

Under this program, Sri Lanka’s Department of National Archives secured a consortium grant : Whose Knowledge, Whose Values? Palm Leaf Manuscripts and the Question of Colonial Collections in Dutch Heritage Institutions.

Dr. N. T. Rupesinghe of the National Archives of Sri Lanka is the main applicant, Consortium partners are Kurt de Belder (Leiden University), Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri (Colombo University), and Dr. Tanuja Thurairajah (Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory).

This project addresses the questions of how to come to terms with the colonial past in the present and the role that objects can play in such reconciliation.

Taking the Palm Leaf Manuscripts recently requested for restitution by the Sri Lankan state as a case study, the project asks what role objects collected in the colonial past can play in reconciling us to our complex and difficult history.

The Dutch Research Council is interested in how these processes of reconciliation may be different in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, and, moreover, how they weigh the value that these objects may have for different communities across the (post)colonial divide.

Sri Lanka also secured a consortium grant under : Whose Law? Addressing Injustice in the entangled histories of Sri Lanka- the Netherlands and advancing the practices of provenance research.

Prof. Dr. N. Kamardeen (University of Colombo) is the main applicant, with Prof. Dr. Wayne Modest (Wereldmuseum), Dilip Tambyrajah (Netherlands-Sri Lanka Foundation) as the consortium partners.

The research explores alternative viewpoints of justice and legality, as understood and applied in the Netherlands and Sri Lanka at various periods of time in relation to colonial cultural property.

It will also examine the methodology of provenance research in an attempt to advance its effectiveness in helping states to decide on matters of restitution and return.

Additionally it will consider the possibilities for digitization of cultural objects by examining the factors that impact such an activity.

It will propose a more inclusive framework for deciding the future of colonial cultural property, advancing provenance research and digitizing cultural objects.

(News 1st)

(This story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Italian national arrested with 10kg cocaine hidden in stuffed toys at BIA

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 In a major drug bust, Sri Lankan authorities seized 10 kilograms and 323 grams of cocaine concealed inside stuffed animal toys at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.  

The contraband was discovered during a joint operation by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) and Sri Lanka Customs at the arrival terminal. 

The drugs were found in the luggage of a 38-year-old Italian national, who was immediately taken into custody.  

This marks one of the largest single cocaine seizures at BIA this year, highlighting increased vigilance by Sri Lankan authorities against international drug trafficking networks. 

Investigations are ongoing to determine the intended recipients of the shipment.  

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Heavy rain and winds expected in several areas today

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Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (May 30), the Department of Meteorology says.

Heavy rains above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island.

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Chinese Minister of Commerce meets President AKD

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The Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Wentao, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions. 

Minister Wang noted that, considering the current political and economic stability in Sri Lanka, along with the clear policy direction being pursued by President Disanayake’s administration, there has been a notable rise in interest from Chinese investors looking to invest in the country.

He further stated that this visit undertaken with the participation of over 100 Chinese investors demonstrates a solid dedication to enhancing economic collaboration between the two nations.

The discussion also focused on the importance of working together to achieve mutually beneficial trade and economic goals during this challenging period. In light of global economic instability, the Chinese Minister of Commerce reiterated China’s commitment to providing the necessary support to Sri Lanka.

One of the key objectives of Minister Wang Wentao’s visit is to follow up on the agreements reached during President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s recent visit to China. The two sides also discussed the timely completion of on-going development projects in Sri Lanka with Chinese government support, as well as the prompt implementation of proposed new initiatives.

The Chinese delegation included Mr. Qi Zhenhong – Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang Liping – Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs and Ms. Shu Jueting – Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with other officials, were also present at the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

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