Sri Lanka was admitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at the Xth plenary meeting of the General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris on September 30, 1949. Sri Lanka thus became the 51st member of the organization

PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS

The role of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU) is to involve the various ministries, departments, institutions, organizations and individuals working for the advancement of education, science, culture, communication and information, which are UNESCO’s fields of competence and to add value to their programmes.

This role catalyses the building of capacities of the related ministries, departments and institutions in their respective fields, by way of conceptual frameworks for policy, advocacy and in enhancing research, training and sharing of best practices provided by UNESCO. Through such interventions, the UNESCO National Commissions, spread over 193 UNESCO member states, (which includes the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO), contributes to the maintenance of peace and the common welfare of humankind, through international intellectual moral solidarity.

The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO is entrusted with the following functions

• Encourage participation of national governmental and non governmental institutions and various individuals in the formulation and execution of UNESCO's programmes to secure for the organization, all the intellectual, scientific artistic or administrative assistance that it may require.
• Play an ever-increasing role in UNESCO’s work, and particularly in the formulation and execution of programmes, in UNESCO’s fields of competence.
• Dissemination of information on the objectives, programmes and activities of UNESCO including publications and best practices gathered through worldwide research and endeavor to arouse public interest in them.
• To act as a liaison for international organizations/associations related to UNESCO.
• To advice the Government of Sri Lanka on matters relating to UNESCO programmes and all matters referred to the commission by the Minister in charge of the subject of UNESCO. 
• Through funds provided by UNESCO, sponsor the participation of Sri Lankan officials and resource persons in the related ministries, institutions, to attend international conferences and
  training courses organized by UNESCO.
• Function as the main channel of communication and focal point of contact with UNESCO.
• Undertake on their own initiative, other activities related to the general objectives of UNESCO, through budgets contributed by the government.

Sri Lanka’s role in UNESCO

Sri Lanka had been elected a member of the UNESCO Executive Board from 1968-1974 and from 1987-1991, as also from 2003-2007 in the past. At the elections held during the UNESCO General Conference held in October 2007, Sri Lanka was again elected to serve on the Board for a further four year term from 2008-2011, which is truly a great honour for the country.

There are 11 subsidiary bodies under the aegis of UNESCO and Sri Lanka is a member of the Intergovernmental Councils of the following subsidiary bodies at present. 

• International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
• Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) 
• International Hydrological Programme (IHP)
• Management of Social Transformation (MOST)

Sri Lanka was also a member of the UNESCO Headquarters Committee and was elected to serve in its Bureau, from 1987-1991.