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Shared past will help us to build a common future – Dutch Minister

Published

3 years ago

2023/08/30

Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu, presenting an ancient map of Ceylon by Baltus Jaquaez Van Lier, drawn in 1751, to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees yesterday (29) as a part of a programme to transfer valuable artefacts taken from Sri Lanka during the Dutch rule, two and a half centuries ago

Dutch State Secretary for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu said Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have a shared past and it will help to build together a common future with close cooperation in the fields of museums, collection management, research and exchange of knowledge and expertise.

She said this when she called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple trees yesterday (Aug 29). On august 28, the visiting Dutch Minister and Cultural Minister Vidura Wickremanayake signed a Transfer Acknowledge Agreement to transfer valuable artefacts taken from Sri Lanka during the Dutch rule two and a half centuries ago. The objects include the famous cannon of freedom fighter Lewke Disawe, two gold kastanes (ceremonial swords), Sinhalese knives, silver kastane, and two guns.

The Prime Minister thanked the visiting Minister Gunay Uslu for the return of artefacts and said the two countries should undertake collaboration on research on Dutch architecture, canal system, forts and other monuments for prosperity.

Referring to the cannon of Lewke Disawe, the Prime Minister said that he was happy that Sri Lanka will get back this valuable treasure and told the Dutch delegation that Lewke was a place close to his hometown Sithawaka and the entire country pays homage to the National Hero Lewke Disawa.

Minister Gunay Uslu said a grant will be extended by the Netherlands to facilitate the work undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and the Department of National Museums to preserve the artefacts in a newly renovated chamber at the National Museum.

She presented an ancient map of Ceylon by Baltus Jaquaez Van Lier drawn in 1751 to Prime Minister Gunawardena.

Ambassador of the Netherlands Bonnie Horbach, Director General, Culture and Media in the Netherlands Barbera Wolfensberger, Chairperson, Dutch Colonial Collections Committee Lilian Gonçalves-Ho Kang You and Committee Member Dr. Alicia Schrikker, MP Yadamini Gunawardena and Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake were also present on the occasion.

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INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

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Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.