President presents royal sword received from President Putin to the National Museum

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday presented  the  artifact he received from Russian President Vladimir Putin to the National Museum.

The President received a royal sword (Kastane) of the Kandyan era of the 19th century from President Vladimir Putin during his state visit to Russia in March this year.

 It was a pleasant surprise for President Sirisena as the Russian leader gave this invaluable gift when he entered the Green Chimney Room at the Kremlin at the Red Square for bilateral talks with President Putin, the President's Media Division said.

The Russian leader was quoted as saying he was presenting this significant gift to President Sirisena symbolizing the close relationship between the two countries.

According to reports the sword is said to be an antique Kastane belonging to a Kandyan Nilame (Nobleman).

 This sword had been brought to England in 1906 and later bought by Russia at the leading archeological artifact auction house, Sotheby’s in London. The Kastane (sword, hanger) was the major attribute of the noblemen of Sri Lanka. People who were not noble by origin were not eligible to bear or even keep a Kastane. Therefore, the purpose of such arm was to underline the stature of the bearer. According to Alex Freger (Tel Aviv), a high-profile Israeli expert on bladed weapons, the item subject to expertise descends from the Kandyan rulers (kings).

The “Kastane” was auctioned at the Sotheby’s Auction House in  December 2006 in the elite section of “Property of a Princely Family and Other Aristocratic Estates” the President's media division noted.