The National Heritage Division of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has launched an initiative to identify and list Sri Lanka’s national heritage sites while drafting new legislation for their protection.
According to Additional Secretary Sujeewa Palliyaguruge, an expert committee has been appointed to oversee the process. She noted that although Sri Lanka’s heritage has previously been gazetted under the Archaeology Act, there were no clear criteria for identifying or categorising heritage sites.
The new committee has decided to classify national heritage into two main categories—tangible and intangible—and to develop specific criteria for each.
As Sri Lanka has not yet compiled an official list of national heritage sites, the Ministry is now focused on identifying and naming such sites across the country. A national heritage policy has also been drafted and will soon be presented to the Cabinet for approval.
Ms. Palliyaguruge added that UNESCO has provided financial support for the initiative, and the Division is currently reviewing the Archaeology Act for possible amendments.
In 2022, then Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake received Cabinet approval to begin preparing a national heritage list, laying the groundwork for the present programme.
