Calls for for the sharing of revenue earned by Western colonial countries from exhibiting stolen artifacts with former colonies
Posted on April 1st, 2026
Senaka Weeraratna
Attorney-at-Law Senaka Weeraratna has called for the sharing of revenue earned by Western colonial countries from exhibiting stolen artifacts with former colonies, particularly within the context of the 2023 repatriation of stolen artifacts from the Netherlands to Sri Lanka
.
Key Details of the Call and Context:
- Context: The call was made in relation to the return of six colonial-era artifacts stolen from Sri Lanka (including Lewke’s cannon, a Golden Kasthane, a Silver Kasthane, a Sinhalese Knife, and two guns) which were returned by the Netherlands in December 2023.
- The Demand: Weeraratna argued that Western countries, specifically in Europe, have benefited financially by exhibiting looted items (such as the “Cannon of Kandy”) in museums for over 200 years.
- Revenue Sharing Principle: He stated that sharing profits with the victims of Western Colonialism is a “universal principle” and called on the Government of Sri Lanka to actively pursue this matter, advocating for the return of revenue generated from exhibiting stolen goods.
- Justification: He linked this demand to the need for compensation for damages during the Dutch occupation of Ceylon (1658–1796), noting that the Netherlands must pay for looting treasures, including those taken from the Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa).
The Sri Lankan Archives (National Museum of Colombo) became the venue for the handover of these stolen items in December 2023.
Source: AI Overview
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see also the following report
During a meeting at the
in December 2023, Attorney-at-Law
Senaka Weeraratna proposed that Western colonial countries should share the revenue earned from exhibiting stolen artifacts with their former colonies.
He argued that this principle of sharing profits should apply to revenue collected over centuries from displaying looted items, such as those taken from Sri Lanka, Africa, and Asia. Weeraratna specifically referenced the “Unjust Enrichment” principle of Roman-Dutch Law to support his call for financial compensation, noting that Sri Lanka is a financially struggling nation that has received “not one cent” from the long-term exhibition of its treasures in Dutch museums.
Context of the Meeting
The proposal was made during events welcoming a Dutch delegation for the repatriation of six significant artifacts:
- Ornate Cannon of Kandy (Lewke’s Cannon): A bronze, silver, and gold ceremonial weapon inlaid with rubies, looted by the Dutch Governor Baron van Ecyk in 1765.
- Other Repatriated Items: A Golden Royal Kasthane (sabre), a Silver Royal Kasthane, a Sinhalese Knife, and two Wall Guns (Maha Thuwakku).
The Dutch delegation was led by
Dewi van de Weerd
the Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, and the formal handover took place at the