Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2023-08-28

Repatriation of six artifacts belonging to Kandyan Era which were taken to Netherlands two centuries ago

- The approval was granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2023-06-26 to conduct the required negotiations to repatriate the six artifacts belonging to Kandyan Era which were taken to Netherlands two centuries ago, to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, after negotiations, the Government of Netherlands have declared by a Government Gazette Notification that they are taking measures to return the said six artifacts to Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the proposal made by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to sign a legal document of Acknowledgment of Transference between the two parties for return of the said artifacts and an Agreement to retain these artifacts in the Rijks Museum in Netherlands until they are physically brought to Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet.