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A discussion between Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, and Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr. Wajid Hashmi. The discussion was held on September 25th, 2023, at the ministry premises.
As two close brother states and to further build cultural relations, the two sides discussed at length a number of issues, such as promoting heritage tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and cooperation in preserving and projecting the Gandhara heritage.
Mr. Faisal Ali Khan, Counselor of the High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka also participated in this discussion.
Two agreements were signed last (28) at the Buddhasasana, Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs regarding the repatriation of 06 artifacts of historical value taken by the Dutch East India Trading Company (VOC) when the Dutch besieged the Kandy Palace in 1765.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hon. Vidura Wickramanayake, Director General of the National Museum Department Mrs. Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi, and Mrs. Gunay Uslu, Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands came together to sign these agreements.
According to this agreement, six artifacts are currently displayed in the Rijks Museum in the Netherlands, namely a chestnut with a scabbard made of gold, a chestnut with a scabbard made of silver, a knife made of gold, two big guns and a cannon believed to have belonged to the Lewke district are to be returned to this country.
Buddhasasana, Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake sent a diplomatic level request to return these artifacts to Sri Lanka to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands and the Dutch government considered the request and appointed an independent advisory committee for this purpose and according to the recommendations of the committee It has been decided to return the artifacts.
Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, who spoke here, also mentioned the following. The heritage or antiquities of our country have migrated to different countries so far. This has happened not by our will, but by force. Today we officially started the work to get these heritages back to our country. These artifacts will be brought to Sri Lanka by the month of December. Also, a special program has already been prepared to deposit these antiquities. Also, the minister further mentioned that they are working on including it in the school syllabus to educate and understand school children about such heritages.
Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nishanthi Jayasinghe, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Heritage Division, Mr. Tilak Hettiarachchi, Additional Secretary, and a group of Dutch government officials and ministry officials joined the occasion.
Tower Hall Noorthi Gee - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPegJqCvatdoNue6dSAW5Z_yR8GyrsB0y
Ramayanaya - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPegJqCvatdpAVVSZ2ngJZ6dwnhP_lJ3k
Nadagam Gee - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPegJqCvatdosAKYa9v8SmyOeX_h0UJvc
Sri Wickrama Noorthi (Only from Audible) - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPegJqCvatdprujNms8zwykYOr7k7pnB9
Noorthi Gee scenes - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPegJqCvatdpmu73gLlWw_Xvpzggqtjl3
"Sahitya Yatra" school library development and language literature arts promotion program was held at Delft National School, located on Delft Island in Jaffna district, under the chaimenship of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake.
In conjunction with the State Literary Awards, two schools in the Tamil medium, where learning and teaching activities are being carried out amid economic difficulties, were selected for the program based on the concept of the State Literary Advisory Council.
The first program was held at Delft National School, and an art workshop for children was also held by the State Visual Arts Advisory Council with the aim of providing books for library promotion and further developing children's artistic abilities.
Here, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake also made an inquiry about the educational activities of the children.
Along with the program, a book donation for the library development of Jaffna Ushan Ramanathan College and a literary lecture for the children of Jaffna Education Zone were also conducted at Jaffna Hindu College.
This program was organized by Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs, State Advisory Council, State Visual Arts Advisory Council, Sri Lanka Arts Council and Jaffna District Secretariat.
A discussion between Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, and a group of delegates, including the Honorable Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage of the Maldives. The discussion was held on July 10, 2023, with the following officials from the Maldivian side participated in this:
Representing the Ministry, the Secretary, Additional Secretary (Promotion) Additional Secretary (Heritage), Director Cultural Affairs Department, Assistant Secretary (Foreign) participated in this discussion.
Here, the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries on June 7, 2023, to promote cultural cooperation was further discussed. Here, it was proposed to exchange expertise between the two countries in the fields of museums, archeology, and archives and to prepare a program to give the Sri Lankan people in the Maldives the opportunity to learn Dhivehi.
This delegation visited the National Archives Department on July 10, 2023, and the National Museum Department on July 11, 2023.
A meeting between Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, and a group of delegates Representing the Embassy of Iran, Dr. Mr. B. Moazami Goodarzi. The meeting was held at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs (Cultural Section) on June 19, 2023, with the aim of developing cultural cooperation between the two countries. An invitation was also received from the Iranian Embassy to visit the Iranian Cultural Center in Sri Lanka on July 5, 2023.
A Meeting between Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, and a group of delegates including the Chinese Embassy, Cultural Counselor Mr. Zhang Yingbao, First Secretary Ms. Li Qingrui, and Second Secretary Ms. HU Hui. The meeting was held at the auditorium of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs (Cultural Division) on June 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. with the aim of developing cultural cooperation between the two countries.
In a collaborative international provenance research which was concluded in April 2022, six Sri Lankan objects from the Rijksmuseum collection in the Netherlands, were confirmed to be of Lankan origin. A golden and a silver kasthãné or sabre, a golden knife, two maha thuwakku or wall guns and Lewke Disave’s cannon-all belonging to the Kandyan kingdom, now found in the Rijksmuseum collection were confirmed to be war booty, obtained by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) during the siege of the palace of Kandy in 1765 when large scale looting of Kandyan objects took place.
Following the conclusion of the provenance study, a diplomatic request was made by the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickremanayake to the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to return the six objects to Sri Lanka. It is significant that this was the first request which was taken up before the independent commission appointed by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to assess and facilitate the return of colonial objects to their respective countries of origin. Accordingly, on the recommendations made by the committee, the six objects will be officially returned to Sri Lanka. The decision has been gazetted in the Netherlands on 6th July. Sri Lankan Advisory Committee on the Return of Artefacts has been appointed by the cabinet to facilitate the return of the six objects.
Commenting on the occasion, Director General of the Department of National Museums, Ms Sanuja Kasthuriarachchi notes that the whole exercise is a historical moment in many perspectives. “The laborious provenance research has led to the dispelling of many myths and ambiguities that shrouded our Kandyan artefacts for centuries. It is heartening to see these cultural symbols which mirror the cleverness of Sri Lankan artisans of yesteryear, reclaiming their due pride of place in their land of birth.”
The joint research which was carried out under the Pilot Project Provenance Research on Objects of the Colonial era (PPROCE) of the Rijksmuseum is also a landmark in Sri Lankan provenance studies. Since the Provenance Report of Dr. P.H.D.H. de Silva, the Director of the National Museum in Colombo in the 1970s, very little notice was taken of the Kandyan objects in discussion until this recent intense study. The international joint provenance research represented researchers from Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands. The local research team comprised Additional Director General (Cultural), Department of National Museums- Senarath Wickramasinghe, Prof. Asoka de Zoysa and Dr. Ganga Dissanayake from the University of Kelaniya and firearms specialist and the author of several books on the Kandyan period, Chamikara Pilapitiya. The Department of National Archives too made a significant contribution to the research by providing numerous archival material.
Scores of historical documents, Dutch records, art and craftsmanship of objects in study, their artistic value, technology and chemical composition were among the criteria adopted by the experts in determining the provenance of the Kandyan objects. The golden and silver kasthãnés presented in the Rijksmuseum as spoils of war, were obtained by the VOC during the siege of the palace of Kandy in 1765 when large scale looting of Kandyan objects took place. The research confirms that both kasthanes were made in the royal workshop and were probably meants for a Kandyan aristocrat.
The intricately crafted knife which also reflects the skill of the 18th century Kandyan workmanship, formed part of the royal garb.
The two wall guns which translated into maha thuwakku in the vernacular during the Kandyan times are decorated with woodwork and engraved symbols. The guns represent a unique and early Sri Lankan tradition in gun-making and warfare.
The two wall guns, each weighing 28kg, are unique examples of mobile, heavy artillery that the troops of the Kandyan king used to defend the city and the palace.
Richly ornamented with silver, gold and gemstones, Lewke Disave’s cannon is another interesting object among the six artefacts. Embellished with Kandyan designs such as liyawel, kalpa vrukshaya and nari lata, the cannon bears an inscription which claims the Kandyan aristocrat Leweke Disave to be the donor of the cannon.
Once the transfer of ownership is acknowledged upon signing of relevant documents, the exact date of arrival of the six artefacts in the island will be determined. Upon the arrival of these historical objects, a public exhibition featuring them, is to be organised by the Department of National Museums. “Although the backdrop in which these historical artefacts of ours were taken to the Netherlands was that of grief and pain, we earnestly hope that their journey of returning home more than two centuries later, will be that of delight. This journey will further strengthen the diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka,” says the DG of the Department of National Museums who extends her sincere thanks to the Hon. Minister Vidura Wikramanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Somarathna Vidanapathirana and Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Bonnie Horbach for their unfailing support and enthusiasm in this exercise.
Cultural cooperation between Dutch and Sri Lankan institutions have already commenced and will focus on the exchange of technical expertise, knowledge sharing and education. It is hoped that this cooperation will lead to more returns of the Sri Lankan artefacts in the future. The recently established Sri Lankan Advisory Committee on the Return of Artefacts will take the lead in the cooperation as well as requests for return of the artefacts to their country of Origin.
A meeting between Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Vidura Wickramanayake, and a group of delegates, including Buddhist monks from China, was held on June 9 at the ministry premises.
The two sides discussed a number of issues such as the long-term Buddhist relations and political friendship between the two countries.
The delegation asked the minister for permission to build a Chinese Buddhist temple, a Buddha statue, and a cultural center in the Western Province for the promotion of Buddhist cultural relations, education, training, research, etc. Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said that the Buddha statue should follow the tradition of Buddha statues in this country.
The Minister further said that suitable land for the construction of the Chinese Buddhist Center should be found, and the release of land should be done according to a proper plan.
A cultural show held with the aim of further strengthening the long-term friendship between Sri Lanka and China and exchanging cultural relations between the two countries was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theater on May 26.
As per the Instruction by Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Chinese Embassy jointly organized this festival. The festival was colorful with the dance and musical elements of the cultural skills of Yunnan Province, China.
The Honorable Speaker of the Current Parliament, Mr.Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Former President Mr.Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Chinese Ambassador Mr.Chi Chenhong, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Mr.Vidura Wickramanayake, and many other local and foreign dignitaries participated in this ceremony.
Department of Cultural Affairs
J.R. Jayewardene Centre
National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka
Central Cultural Fund
Tower Hall Theatre Foundation 
Arts Council of Sri Lanka
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksha Theatre