The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a special committee to advise the Government on the restitution of Sri Lankan historical and cultural artifacts held overseas, particularly items taken out of the country during the colonial era.
The committee, to be known as the “Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Abroad,” will be chaired by the Additional Secretary in charge of Cultural Promotion and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
The initiative is in line with Articles 7 and 13 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The convention provides mechanisms through which countries can seek the return of cultural property held abroad.
Sri Lanka previously made progress in recovering cultural artifacts from overseas collections. In 2023, the country completed the first phase of its restitution process, securing the return of six historical artifacts from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The returned artifacts included Lewke Disawa’s cannon, two large cannons, two ceremonial swords known as Kasthanas with their scabbards, and a dagger with its scabbard.
The newly established committee will facilitate consultations with the Dutch restitution committee and other relevant international authorities. It will also provide technical and legal advice to the Government in identifying Sri Lankan cultural heritage items held in foreign collections and pursuing their possible repatriation.
The initiative follows a proposal submitted by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and is aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s efforts to preserve and reclaim its cultural heritage.
