The Department of Social Sciences at KDU, together with esteemed partners from the State Advisory Board of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Arts Council, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, successfully conducted a workshop on Historical Evolution and Intangible Cultural Heritage. This full day workshop, held on April 19, 2024, at KDU, provided a platform for a profound exploration of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural traditions and practices. Further the Department of Cultural Affairs donated books worth of LKR 50,000 related to Sri Lankan History and the cultural heritage  to the Kotelawala Defense University Library to strengthen the relationship between two institution. Over 150 participants, which included KDU students, students from other university and district cultural affairs officers attended the workshop.

Inaugural Ceremony

The workshop started with an inaugural ceremony where Prof. Praneeth Abeysundara, Chairman of Arts Council of Sri Lanka highlighted the cultural significance of the event, followed by addresses from Yasintha Gunawardane, Director of Cultural Affairs, Dr. Lakshika Liyanage, the Dean of the Faculty of Management, Social Sciences and Humanities, Dr. Tamara Jayasundara, the Head of the Department of Social Sciences, and Ms. Manuri Pabasari (Lecturer – the coordinator of the workshop).

Session Details

The workshop was structured into two main sessions. The first session, chaired by Senior Prof. P. Hewage, featured to presentation about pre historic development and ICH UNESCO convention.

The first presenter Dr. Senarath Bandara Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Kelaniya, discussed the prehistoric period and the organization of intangible cultural heritage in Sri Lanka. The next presenter, Professor B.D. Nandadeva, ICH Expert and UNESCO Focal Point in Sri Lanka. He spoke about the historical trajectory towards safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

The second session, chaired by Ms.Muditha Ankumbura, Senior Assistant Librarian, University of Visual and Performing Arts, also included two presentation. Dr. Danister L. Perera, Chairman of the Expert Committee of Traditional Knowledge at the Ministry of Environment, focused on Historical Trends and the Safeguarding of ICH with special reference to biodiversity in Sri Lanka. Professor Kamal Waleboda, Chairman of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Board, explored the role of intangible cultural heritage in shaping Sri Lanka’s cultural identity and its significance in contemporary society.

Certificate Awarding Ceremony

The day concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony, recognizing all participants for their contributions and engagement. Esteemed experts from various fields provided invaluable insights into different facets of Sri Lankan history, unraveling the mysteries of the island’s past and its intangible cultural heritage.

Participation and Collaboration

The workshop was not limited to KDU students; cultural officers from the Colombo district also attended to enhance their knowledge. Students from other universities, including the University of Colombo, University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Pali, University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, and University of Vocational Technology, participated as well. Additionally, both academic and non-academic staff joined the event, alongside both senior and junior academic staff. Each workshop session was followed by insightful discussions, with opportunities for questions and answers. This fostered a collaborative spirit that promises to enhance cultural understanding and preservation for future generations. Participants left with a renewed sense of pride in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage and strong motivation for future cultural preservation initiatives.