<p> Colombo: Six colonial-era Sri Lankan artefacts looted by the Dutch more than 200 years ago were returned to the island nation on Wednesday.</p>.<p> The Netherlands, which colonised Sri Lanka from 1658-1796, returned the artefacts stolen in 1756.</p>.<p> A Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Frankfurt arrived on Wednesday with the six artefacts, officials said.</p>.<p> “During a high-level state visit in August, Dutch State Secretary Hon. Gunay Uslu formally signed an ownership transfer of six Sri Lankan artefacts that were stolen by the Dutch,' a Netherlands embassy press release said.</p>.<p>"Now, after more than 200 years abroad, six Sri Lankan artefacts will be physically returned to Sri Lanka during a two-day event at the Colombo National Museum on December 5 and 6,” the press release said.</p>.<p> The artefacts include a cannon inlaid with gold, silver, and bronze, known as 'Lewke's cannon,' according to the <em>NewsFirst.lk</em> news portal.</p>.<p> The Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, Dewi van de Weerd, will lead a mission overseeing the handover on behalf of the Netherlands.</p>.<p> With the restitution, the Netherlands aims to strengthen the bilateral ties with Sri Lanka while also coming to terms with its colonial past, the press release said.</p>.<p> As a part of this, the ambassador hopes to discuss possibilities for further strengthening the cultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, the embassy said. </p>
<p> Colombo: Six colonial-era Sri Lankan artefacts looted by the Dutch more than 200 years ago were returned to the island nation on Wednesday.</p>.<p> The Netherlands, which colonised Sri Lanka from 1658-1796, returned the artefacts stolen in 1756.</p>.<p> A Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Frankfurt arrived on Wednesday with the six artefacts, officials said.</p>.<p> “During a high-level state visit in August, Dutch State Secretary Hon. Gunay Uslu formally signed an ownership transfer of six Sri Lankan artefacts that were stolen by the Dutch,' a Netherlands embassy press release said.</p>.<p>"Now, after more than 200 years abroad, six Sri Lankan artefacts will be physically returned to Sri Lanka during a two-day event at the Colombo National Museum on December 5 and 6,” the press release said.</p>.<p> The artefacts include a cannon inlaid with gold, silver, and bronze, known as 'Lewke's cannon,' according to the <em>NewsFirst.lk</em> news portal.</p>.<p> The Dutch Ambassador for International Cultural Cooperation, Dewi van de Weerd, will lead a mission overseeing the handover on behalf of the Netherlands.</p>.<p> With the restitution, the Netherlands aims to strengthen the bilateral ties with Sri Lanka while also coming to terms with its colonial past, the press release said.</p>.<p> As a part of this, the ambassador hopes to discuss possibilities for further strengthening the cultural cooperation between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, the embassy said. </p>