Sri Lanka is taking steps to seek compensation from countries that once occupied the island for antiquities looted and for the lives and property lost during the colonial period, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday. The statement signals a renewed focus on historical accountability as global conversations on colonial reparations gain momentum.
The minister made the remarks in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who urged the government to follow the example of several former colonies that are now actively pursuing compensation for economic damage inflicted under imperial rule. Premadasa pointed out that colonial-era exploitation included resource extraction, economic destruction, and widespread looting, and said Sri Lanka should adopt a structured national program to seek redress from former imperial powers.
Responding to the concerns, Minister Herath recalled events during his tenure as Minister of Culture and National Heritage, highlighting a controversial proposal made in 2005 to mark the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese conquest of Sri Lanka. He said the proposal had been conveyed by the Portuguese ambassador and had received the support of then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, but was firmly rejected by him.
Instead of commemorating the colonial conquest, Herath said he put forward a counterproposal calling for compensation for the antiquities, property, and lives taken during the Portuguese occupation. He noted that there had been agreement in principle to return stolen antiquities, marking an early step toward restitution rather than celebration.
The minister further stated that similar progress had been made with the Netherlands, noting that the Dutch government had already returned Sri Lankan antiquities on two occasions and had agreed to hand over remaining items in the future. He said these efforts were being carried out while carefully maintaining diplomatic relations.
Emphasizing the relevance of the Opposition Leader’s proposal, Minister Herath said the government is already working on initiatives to recover stolen heritage and property. He added that Sri Lanka is prepared to take further steps in the future to pursue broader economic compensation linked to the losses suffered during the colonial era.
