The Dutch Government has promised to return six priceless ancient weapons and artefacts to Sri Lanka that were taken from Sri Lanka to the Netherlands during the Dutch rule (1656-1796).
A cannon with traditional Sinhalese carvings, a diamond-encrusted sword-chestnut belonging to Lewke Disawe and other weapons are among these antiquities. The Dutch Government has agreed to return these ancient items to Sri Lanka following a request by Presidential Advisor on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake, to the Dutch Government.
After bringing these antiquities to Sri Lanka, they will be deposited in a special chamber at the Colombo National Museum under the supervision of the Dutch Government. The chamber is currently being constructed.
The National Museum has taken steps to create the relevant climate-controlled chamber so that the artefacts are not damaged by the weather after being brought to Sri Lanka. Construction work on this chamber is due to be completed by September and the artefacts are expected to be brought to the country in the first week of October. A bronze cannon studded with silver, gold and jewels, a wooden gun carriage, a solid gold hilt chestnut studded with 136 diamonds, two guns with finely carved wooden handles, an iron sword and scabbard, a gilded small gun barrel and a bronze gun are among the antiquities.