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| Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Sri Lanka) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Sri Lanka) |
| Formed | 1948 |
| Preceding1 | Department of Cultural Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Sri Lanka |
| Headquarters | Colombo |
| Parent agency | Cabinet of Sri Lanka |
Ministry of Cultural Affairs (Sri Lanka) is the central executive organ responsible for preservation, promotion, and regulation of Sri Lankan art and Sri Lankan heritage institutions across Colombo, Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa. It interfaces with ministries such as the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka), Ministry of Finance (Sri Lanka), and international bodies like UNESCO, UNDP, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank to coordinate cultural policy. The ministry administers museums, archives, libraries, and protection of archaeological sites including links to institutions like the Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka), National Museum of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, and University of Colombo.
The ministry traces roots to colonial-era offices tied to the British Colonial Office, evolving through post-independence administrations of D. S. Senanayake and S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike to modern cabinets under J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa. Early institutional development involved the Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka), Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Ceylon National Museum initiatives, and collaborations with British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, École française d'Extrême-Orient, and Smithsonian Institution. Legislative milestones include links to the Antiquities Ordinance, interactions with the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and policy shifts during the Sri Lankan Civil War with coordination alongside Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force for site protection.
The ministry’s mandate covers stewardship of Cultural heritage, management of antiquities, support for performing arts organizations like the Sri Lanka National Symphony Orchestra, oversight of National Archives of Sri Lanka, and regulation of private collections in partnership with courts such as the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and agencies like the Attorney General of Sri Lanka. It is charged with implementing conventions such as the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and liaising with bodies including the International Council on Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, Asia-Europe Foundation, and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The ministry also engages with festivals connected to Vesak, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Esala Perahera, and institutions like the National Institute of Performing Arts.
Administratively aligned under the Cabinet of Sri Lanka, the ministry comprises ministerial offices, a secretary post often filled from the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, and directorates coordinating with universities such as University of Jaffna, University of Visual and Performing Arts (Colombo), and Open University of Sri Lanka. It reports to parliamentary committees including the Portfolio Committee on Cultural Affairs and interacts with statutory commissions like the Archaeological Commissioners and boards such as the National Heritage Council. Coordination extends to provincial councils in Central Province, Northern Province, Southern Province, and municipal councils like the Colombo Municipal Council.
Key agencies under its remit include the Department of National Archives, Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka), National Museum of Colombo, National Library and Documentation Services Board, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, and regulatory bodies like the Cultural Development Authority. It partners with research institutions such as the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology (University of Kelaniya), Central Cultural Fund, Presidential Secretariat, and cultural NGOs like Seva Lanka Foundation and Sarvodaya. International collaborations involve British Council, Goethe-Institut, Alliance Française, Japan Foundation, and Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Major programs include conservation projects for Anuradhapura Dagoba, restoration of Sigiriya frescoes, digitization initiatives at the National Archives of Sri Lanka and National Museum, and cultural tourism schemes aligned with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Policy instruments reference the Antiquities Ordinance, cultural property registers, and partnerships with UNESCO World Heritage Centre and International Council of Museums. Community outreach connects with religious institutions like the Temple of the Tooth, Kataragama Shrine, and arts festivals such as the Galle Literary Festival, Colombo International Book Fair, and support for artists linked to the Transparency International Sri Lanka and Ministry of Plantation Industries for rural crafts.
The ministry oversees protection and promotion of Sigiriya, Dambulla Cave Temple, Galle Fort, Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Kandy Temple of the Tooth, Ancient City of Anuradhapura, and lesser-known sites in Mannar, Jaffna Fort, Ruwanwelisaya, and Rock Fortress of Sigiriya. Projects include conservation at Yapahuwa, excavation programs in collaboration with University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Leiden University, and heritage mapping with Survey Department of Sri Lanka and Department of Census and Statistics. It also sponsors cultural precinct development in Pahiyangala, Bundala, and urban regeneration in Fort, Colombo.
Funding is appropriated through the national budget administered by the Ministry of Finance (Sri Lanka) with oversight from the Department of National Planning and disbursement to agencies like the National Museum of Colombo and Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka). Audits are conducted by the Auditor General of Sri Lanka and parliamentary scrutiny involves the Parliament of Sri Lanka and select committees. Donor-funded projects have included loans and grants from World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNESCO, and bilateral partners such as Japan International Cooperation Agency and United Kingdom through the British Council.
Criticisms have involved disputes over heritage management in cases related to Galle Fort development, contested land claims in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, allegations of politicization under ministers tied to leaders like Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena, and tensions with local communities in Jaffna and Trincomalee. Controversies also include debates over repatriation linked to museums like the British Museum, restoration methods criticized by ICOMOS, budgetary shortfalls flagged by the Auditor General of Sri Lanka, and protests by cultural activists aligned with groups such as Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and Arts Councils.
Category:Government ministries of Sri Lanka Category:Culture of Sri Lanka