Colonial collections returned to Indonesia and Sri Lanka

The Netherlands is returning 478 cultural objects at the request of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. During the colonial period, these objects ended up in the Netherlands unjustly, through looting or coercion, for example. State Secretary Uslu (Culture and Media) has decided on the return. In doing so, she follows the very first recommendations of the Colonial Collections Committee chaired by Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You. The works are currently in the collections of the National Museum of World Cultures and the Rijksmuseum.

These include the Lombok Treasure to Indonesia and the Kandy Cannon to Sri Lanka. The transfer of ownership to Indonesia will take place on 10 July at Museum Volkenkunde. The transfer of ownership to Sri Lanka will take place later this year. The process of restitution is thus in full swing. The Colonial Collections Committee is still considering other requests from Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Nigeria. An opinion on these is expected later. Joint research with the countries of origin is a central part of this cooperation

State Secretary Uslu: "This is a historic moment. It is the first time we are returning objects that should never have been in the Netherlands based on advice from the Colonial Collections Committee. But above all, it is a moment to look to the future. We are not just returning objects, we are actually starting a period of more intensive cooperation with Indonesia and Sri Lanka. For example, in the field of collection research, presentation and exchange of museum professionals."

Indonesia

Indonesia last summer requested the return of several objects, which are of great importance to that country. The history and provenance of the objects has been extensively researched by the National Museum of World Cultures, in consultation with Indonesia. The process was conducted in good cooperation with the Indonesian Repatriasi Commission chaired by I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, Indonesia's former ambassador to the Netherlands. Partly based on this investigation, the committee recommended restitution. This restitution was achieved thanks to intensive cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands and the committees of experts from both countries.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has asked the Netherlands for the return of six objects looted from Sri Lanka and now in the custody of the Rijksmuseum. The history of these objects has been extensively researched by researchers from the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. This return also forms the basis for further cooperation between the two countries and the cultural institutions involved. The Netherlands and Sri Lanka remain in talks to further shape this cooperation.

Objects:

Indonesia

The 'Lombok treasure', consisting of 335 objects from Lombok

Four images from Singasari

A kris from Klungkung

The Pita Maha collection, comprising 132 objects from Bali

Sri Lanka

Lewke's cannon

Golden kastane (ceremonial sword)

Sinhalese knife

Silver chestnut

Two guns