Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday (06) that Sri Lanka has begun efforts to pursue compensation for losses incurred during the colonial era and to secure the return of looted cultural artefacts.
He stated that the government also intends to seek reparations for property damage, theft and loss of life linked to the period of colonial rule. Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister noted that both Portugal and the Netherlands have accepted Sri Lanka’s requests for the restitution of cultural treasures taken during colonial times.
The Minister emphasized that several artefacts have already been returned, while the remaining items are expected to be repatriated in due course. He further added that the government plans to explore additional economic avenues to pursue broader reparations, highlighting the importance of addressing historical injustices.
His remarks followed calls by the Opposition Leader for Sri Lanka to consider approaches similar to those taken by some African nations seeking compensation from former colonial powers.
Minister Herath also recalled that in 2005, when a proposal was made to commemorate 500 years since Portuguese colonization, he had rejected the plan in favour of demanding reparations for looted artefacts, confiscated properties and lives lost. He noted that the Portuguese government had accepted these requests, and that the Netherlands had also agreed to return looted artefacts, some of which have already been handed back to Sri Lanka.
