Preservation of Repatriated Indigenous Human Skeletal Remains of Sri Lankans
“Preservation of Repatriated Indigenous Human Skeletal Remains of Sri Lankans Returned from the Natural History Museum in Basel, Switzerland, and the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, at Dambana–Mahiyanganaya.”
University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (22nd November 2019), and Natural History Museum Basel, Switzerland(30th April 2024), safely returned nine (09) and forty-two (42) indigenous human skeletal remains of Sri Lankans and cultural objects from their collections, to the rightful custody of the indigenous population chief Uruwarige Wanniya Aththo.
This was initiated by Dr. Oshan Wedage, Senior Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Indigenous population chief Uruwarige Wanniya Aththo and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka granted permission to Senior Professor Surangi Yasawardene (Chair Professor of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura) and Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe (Senior lecturer in Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura) to carry out osteometric measurements, radiological assessments, and DNA analysis of the returned skeletal remains and to assemble and preserve these skeletons for exhibition and future research. As a response to the national request, Senior Prof S.G. Yasawardene, Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe, Prof. Harsha Dissanayake, Professor in Anatomy, FMS, USJ and Prof. Maduwanthi Dissanayake, Professor in Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, visited the cultural heritage museum in Dambana village- Wariga Maha Gedara (වරිග මහගෙදර), Mahiyanganaya and preserved the skeletons for exhibition purposes and for future scientific studies.
The museum with preserved skeletons and cultural objects was ceremonially opened for public display on 9th August 2025, along with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebration by his excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Professor M M Pathmalal, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Manori Gamage, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor Surangi G Yasawardena, Professor Harsha Dissnayake, Professor Bawantha Gamage, and Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe participated in this occasion.
