2026-02-06 / Ministerial Statement: Foreign Affairs 2026-02-06
Minister Vijitha Herath responded to the Leader of the Opposition by recounting his 2005 decision, as Minister of Cultural and National Heritage, to block a proposed commemorative event marking 500 years since Portuguese colonial rule in Sri Lanka, despite support from the Portuguese Ambassador and then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Instead, he demanded the return of plundered artifacts and compensation for loss of life and property. He noted that the Netherlands has since returned artifacts on two occasions with further returns agreed, and indicated that the government is pursuing a systematic approach to heritage repatriation and, when appropriate, economic reparations, suggesting the Opposition's proposal aligns with actions already underway.
Hon. Leader of the Opposition, I recall that in 2005, on the proposed commemoration of 500 years since the Portuguese subjugation of Sri Lanka, the then Government planned a major event. As the then Minister of Cultural and National Heritage, I clearly rejected that proposal—even though the Portuguese Ambassador and the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had indicated support. Instead, I proposed making a mandatory demand for the return of artifacts plundered from Sri Lanka and compensation for the loss of life and property. That prevented the commemorative banquet. Subsequently, the Netherlands agreed and returned artifacts on two occasions, and further returns have been agreed. We are systematically safeguarding state interests while securing repatriation of stolen heritage and, when necessary, will also pursue economic reparations at the appropriate time. Your proposal is important; we are already acting along those lines.