There are natural sites in the world heritage list and they have been chosen for their outstanding physical, biological and geological features, which together from exceptional areas from the point of view of science, the conservation of natural beauty or habitats for endangered animal species. The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO is contributing immensely to establish cultural identity and preserve and develop cultural heritage in Sri Lanka by way of assisting in the restoration and preservation of cultural property and in promoting intangible cultural heritage.

Intangible Cultural Heritage
 
The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO (SLNCU), is working closely with the Ministry of Cultural affairs towards the preservation of intangible cultural heritage by way of initiating a reward scheme for National Living Treasures in the field of Music, Drama, Cinema, Art and Sculpture.

Mapping of Intangible cultural heritage is also being promoted by way of elaborating a national inventory on intangible heritage comprising oral tradition and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning the nature and the universe and traditional craftsmanship. SLNCU has helped in sponsoring research and training of culture sector administrators in Sri Lanka, with the funding and technical assistance of UNESCO New Delhi, The Asia Pacific Cultural Center for UNESCO (Japan) and the Korean National Commission for UNESCO. Sri Lanka has ratified the UNESCO International Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (17 October 2003) by depositing the instrument of acceptance on 21 April 2008 with the Director General of UNESCO and thereby has become a state party to this international convention with effect from 21 July 2008, three months’ after the deposit of the said instrument, in accordance with article 34 of the convention.

Tangible Cultural Heritage

Sri Lanka’s long history of organizing statecraft and religion has left the vestiges of numerous sites and monuments that portray a rich tangible culture and island civilization. The archeological activities over a century conducted in the different parts of the country have unearthed such vast material that lie in the sites as well as in the local and foreign museums. Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO is working closely with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Central Cultural Fund in the preservation of tangible cultural heritage, by way of promoting the concepts of World Heritage, capacity building of cultural administrators in archaeology, research and management, as also, in providing technical assistance in the related fields.

Underwater Cultural Heritage

The Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, having consulted with the Department of Archaeology, The Central Cultural Fund, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Solicitor General of Sri Lanka, has submitted a Draft Cabinet Memorandum to the Secretary Ministry of Cultural Affairs, to be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval, to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Sri Lanka is also building the capacities of the Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) in Galle, to make it into a Category II UNESCO Regional Institute for Maritime Archaeology in Asia and the Pacific. The Norwegian Government’s Funds in Trust Programme with UNESCO, is generously funding the training and equipment component of this institute in the amount of U$D 943,600, spread over a 3 year period. As of 31 August 2008, two regional training programmes have been held, in collaboration with the UNESCO Bangkok office.

Recent UNESCO Culture Sector Initiatives in Sri Lanka

• Technical Assistance for preparation of dossier for nomination of “Peak Wilderness” as World Heritage.
• Support for nomination of “Seruwavila Temple” as World Heritage
• Technical support for enhancement of Folk Art Museum “Jana Kala Kendra” in Battaramulla as a Cultural hub.
• Field Training on Cultural Impact assessments on Underwater archaeology and its protection.
• Setting up of a “Memory of the World Committee” for Sri Lanka
• Concepts for setting up of a “SAARC Center for Heritage”