HC Deb 18 January 1982 vol 16 cc17-8W
Mr. Moyle

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received a request from the Sri Lankan Government that art treasures removed to Great Britain durring the period when Sri Lanka was a British colony be returned to Sri Lanka; and what reply he has given.

Mr. Luce

In June 1980 the United Kingdom received from Sri Lanka a request for the return of a number of artefacts held in museums and libraries in the United Kingdom. After consultation with all the institutions which hold objects requested by Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom's reply was delivered on 1 September 1981. This reply stated that, after careful investigation, the institutions in question remained satisfied that the objects referred to were all legally acquired by them. Accordingly the institutions saw no basis on which they could agree to the Sri Lankan request for their return; nor could the Government support such a request.