RM* only learnt this now. The aboriginals in Sri Lanka are known as Vedda or Adivasi. Chief Uruwarige Wannilaththo, head of the Vedda tribe, inspected the aboriginal artefacts returned by Switzerland during an exposition to the media at the Lotus Tower in Colombo.
The artefacts, which were taken to Basel around the end of the 19th century, include 42 human skeletons and skulls of Veddas, weapons like arrows and bows, and everyday items such as bags, plates, and pots.
“The ownership of this country belongs more to the indigenous population rather than us, and thus it is a matter of happiness to be able to get these bones and cultural artefacts back to this country,” Sri Lankan Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said in a statement.
