The Netherlands to return artefacts taken during Dutch period

• The Netherlands has taken a policy decision to hand back artefacts taken from the countries colonized by them

By Kelum Bandara  

The Netherlands has agreed to return to Sri Lanka some of the artefacts taken during the Dutch period, the Daily Mirror learns.   

An informed source said that a team from the Netherlands arrived in Sri Lanka two weeks ago and examined the national museum to work out arrangements for the exhibition of these items of archaeological value.  

The source said a formal announcement on the items to be returned will be made early next month. Currently, Sri Lanka and Dutch authorities are in touch to facilitate the repatriation of artefacts from the Netherlands.  

The Netherlands has taken a policy decision to hand back artefacts taken from the countries colonized by them.  The Dutch presence in Sri Lanka lasted 150 years, starting from 1658. They occupied the coastal areas until the country was colonized by the British.