Venerable Maha Sangha, Religious Dignitaries, Madam Director-General,
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Madam President of the General Conference,
Madam Chairperson of the Executive Board, Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a profound honour to address you today in this significant institution which stands as a beacon of knowledge, culture and peace among nations and peoples of the world. I also consider it a special privilege to have this opportunity to visit UNESCO when Sri Lanka is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its partnership with this global body.
This historic anniversary, celebrated last July with a productive visit to Sri Lanka by the Director-General Madam Audrey Azoulay, is culminating today in Paris with the convening of this Expert Conference on Anuradhapura, one of the most revered heritage cities and cultural treasures in the world. This Conference also provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect upon aspects of Sri Lanka’s longstanding collaboration with UNESCO: a partnership that has reinforced and enriched our shared vision of advancing inter-cultural dialogue, heritage conservation, education, sustainable development and technological progress.
At the outset, I extend my deep appreciation to the Director-General Madam Azoulay for her steadfast support of Sri Lanka, and for her vision and leadership in organising this International Expert Conference. This timely initiative, gathering the world’s experts on Anuradhapura and on heritage conservation, provides a critical platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, technical collaboration and resource mobilization, thus reinforcing our collective responsibility to protect and sustain this invaluable cultural legacy for future generations.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The shifting geopolitical landscape of the world today is formidable, shaped by the intersection of multiple forces, including the rise of multipolarity, economic realignments, and technological advancements. These dynamics have led to more complex diplomatic interactions and strategic recalibrations. In this backdrop, UNESCO’s role as a global leader is more relevant than ever, in negotiating the contours of such challenges, as well as in locating the Organisation firmly at the forefront of global discourses, be they education, ethics of AI, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation or press freedom.
In this context, we commend UNESCO for its contribution to advancing current discussions on global education reform; in garnering unprecedented recognition for culture; and for reaffirming its commitment to harnessing knowledge and innovation for global peace and development at the UN Summit for the Future. Similarly, UNESCO’s action on ethical AI implementation, marine biodiversity conservation and climate resilience are indeed timely. Further, UNESCO’s action in cultural heritage protection such as “Revive the Spirit of Mosul”, has demonstrated the Organisation’s leadership in post- conflict reconstruction of historical and cultural sites.
As the world navigates an increasingly complex landscape, Sri Lanka supports the above action by UNESCO in fostering collaboration, resilience, scientific cooperation and inclusive policymaking, thus contributing towards international peace and sustainable development.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In Sri Lanka, the ancient kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa stand as remarkable testaments to refined aesthetics and cultural development of a highly advanced hydraulic civilization. These unique heritage sites located in the “Cultural Triangle”, and conserved with the support of UNESCO since the 1980s, also symbolize Sri Lanka’s longstanding partnership with the Organisation.
I wish to recall at this point the important contribution of Sri Lankan archeologists and conservationists themselves to UNESCO’s body of work on heritage conservation and management from the 1980s, within the World Heritage Committee, ICOMOS and ICCROM. Noteworthy is the outstanding contribution of the late Dr. Roland Silva, President of ICOMOS International from 1990 to 1999, and subsequently its President Emeritus, whose vision helped shape modern heritage conservation.
I would be remiss in my duty if I do not place on record our gratitude for the enormous contribution of the former Directors-General of UNESCO, particularly the late Amadou Mahtar M’Bow and the late Federico Mayor, towards the preservation of the historic sites of the Cultural Triangle including Anuradhapura, in the 1980s and the 1990s. I extend Sri Lanka’s deep condolences on the passing of these two visionary statesmen last year.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we deliberate on the Anuradhapura Heritage Project, I want to give me you a glimpse of the uniqueness and spirit of Anuradhapura. My earliest memories of Anuradhapura was as a child. Like most families in Sri Lanka, a trip to Anuradhapura was part of what we did during school holidays. I remember travelling to Anuradhapura in the early 1980s. The ride from Colombo took about 8 hours during that time, maybe even longer. Anuradhapura was not a bustling city then – I remember staying in my uncle’s hospital quarters, where he was serving as a doctor. I remember the excitement of staying at one of the two ’rest houses’: one adjoining the majestic Nuwara wewa (lake) and the other, the beautiful Tisa wewa, two of the oldest hotels in Anuradhapura. I remember going at dusk to worship at the Ruwaneliseya, to the sacred Bo-tree, to the Samadhi Buddha statue. Even as a child, I felt the magic of Anuradhapura; the sense of awe at the creativity and skills of our ancestors.
As a young adult, I often went to Anuradhapura on work. This was in the 1990s and Anuradhapura was beginning to change. The war that ravaged our country during that time had a huge impact on Anuradhapura. It became a transit point between the north and the south for the military. The sleepy district hospital that I remembered as a child, expanded to accommodate military casualties and exigencies of the war. The town started changing from a somewhat laid-back town to a bustling urban city. During that time, Anuradhapura also became the target of terrorist attacks – even sacred sites were not spared. The real tragedy of the war was the emergence of ’border villages: villages situated close to war zones. Life in the border villages was insecure to say the least. Mostly organized around Anuradhapura’s vast irrigation network, people living in border villages usually spent the nights hiding in forests to avoid attacks. Of course, hiding in forests meant that in addition to hiding from terrorist attacks, you also had to protect yourself from wild elephants and other wild life. Life in the border villages was precarity experienced in the most extreme sense.
Today, Anuradhapura has grown beyond recognition. In the classical sociological sense – Anuradhapura is a unique mix of the ’sacred’(activities belonging to the spiritual realm) and the ’profane’ (relating to the everyday and the material realm). The farmer toiling in his rice fields, or vegetable plot, will stumble upon archaeological artefacts dating back several centuries; the precious water, irrigating the fields is stored and distributed through an amazing irrigation system that deserves a special place in our conservation efforts and dates back thousands of years. Managing the irrigation system also requires archaeological skills. Water, plays a special role in Anuradhapura (perhaps in Sri Lanka as a whole): whether for irrigation, building moats for protection, for everyday life, or as part of the landscape. The sound of women pounding clothes on rocks to take the dirt out, can be heard to this day. The archaeological discoveries of highly decorative ponds that were built not just for beauty but for water sports, underscores this close connection that people have with water and the attention that was paid to conserving, storing and managing water. The birdlife, the different flowers unique to the brush and dryness of the area, the magic of flying fish in the moonlight, seeing the three great stupas in the moonlight, the lakes shimmering with their glow – there is something magical about Anuradhapura that I have not experienced anywhere else. Today hundreds and thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit Anuradhapura everyday. Anuradhapura is also an area which is a centre for agriculture in Sri Lanka. Schools, hospitals, the market place jostle with sacred sites. This is what makes the conservation of Anuradhapura, complex and yet incredibly important and necessary.
Anuradhapura’s heritage is worth preserving not just for Sri Lanka, but for it’s universal value as has been acknowledged by UNESCO. Current excavations suggest that Anuradhapura’s earliest settlements date back as early as 900 BCE. This is far earlier than the popular narrative about Anuradhapura, which dates the city’s emergence as an important settlement to around 250 BCE. There is evidence of the existence of a writing system, trade, the emergence of Buddhist monastic settlements, technological advances, system of social stratification, proving the existence of a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city. Central to this is city planning that marks Anuradhapura: the inner citadel containing the essential components of power and authority, such as the royal palace and services such as hospitals, cemeteries, trade, leisure and ritual sites. Outside the city, by the vast reservoirs were the agricultural settlements where the ‘normal’ citizen dwelled. Between the city and agricultural settlements, were Buddhist monasteries, where rather than the ritual aspects of religion, what was stressed was study and meditation. Thus, what is fascinating is the way in which the sacred was also separated – one for ritual activities, patronized by royalty and others, and the more isolated, or rather protected spaces for advanced spiritual activity. This suggests the existence of a very advanced and sophisticated culture.
The sophistication is also evident in the attention to beauty: whether it is the magnificent reservoirs, majestic stupas, serene Buddha statues, beautifully crafted water facilities for leisure, intricately carved toilet pots or the thoughtfully placed pillar or window, framing a particularly enchanting view; this was a settlement that was not simply about meeting basic needs. There is much to be learned here from a thorough study of the city’s architecture, sculpture, city planning, engineering, and irrigation systems. But the management of this heritage comes with challenges.
For instance, Anuradhapura is a living, thriving city. Heritage management must accommodate the current lives of those who are inhabiting the city. There is growing demand for housing, education, health, economic activities which needs to be also managed. Anuradhapura has also always been a site of worship for Buddhists, not just from Sri Lanka but all over the world. After all a sapling from the Sacred Bo Tree, under which the Lord Buddha gained enlightenment is one of the main pilgrimage sites in Anuradhapura. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit Anuradhapura on religious holidays – and the needs of these pilgrims also need to be considered: these include accommodation, food, sanitation etc.
Anuradhapura also has the potential to be a major tourist site – one that builds on its heritage value attracting a particular type of tourist. It has the potential to be a major international site on education, research and dissemination of archaeology, history, irrigation and art. Its value as a site of Buddhist learning can also be expanded to the world.
We also are aware that heritage, history and archaeology has been weaponized in the past by racist groups to divide our people and for narrow political gain. My government rejects racism and is striving to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of traditions and cultures in Sri Lanka and to bring people together. We firmly believe that history and archaeology can play a significant role in educating people about our common heritage and also how different traditions and histories have enriched each other.
But all of this means, managing different and perhaps even competing or conflicting interests. The lives of the present inhabitants of the city, its heritage and archaeological value, the needs of local and international tourists may not always be aligned. This is the challenge before us. Yet, I don’t think there can be any doubt of the importance of managing this. The proposal that we want to discuss with you during this conference is not just about managing Anuradhapura’s heritage for Sri Lanka but for the world. This requires sustained and collective efforts from experts from all the relevant areas as well as adequate financial and other resources. This is why this conference is of utmost importance because it has brought together all those who can make an important and meaningful contribution.
Our government plans to develop 3 cities as heritage cities in Sri Lanka: Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Kandy. We selected these cities because each of these cities represents a unique characteristic, spirit, that represents some aspect of the Sri Lankan identity. There are many other cities we can also develop, but we want to start with these three. Whether it is the resilience of Jaffna, the multi-culturalism of Trincomalee, or the spirituality of Anuradhapura – these cities encapsulate some of the best of Sri Lanka that we want to protect and share with the rest of the world.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At a time when climate change, socio-economic inequalities and geopolitical challenges threaten both the tangible and the intangible cultural heritage of the world, UNESCO’s leadership in fostering international collaboration, providing technical expertise, and setting global standards in heritage conservation and sustainable development remain critical to the future of heritage management. Sri Lanka is committed to working with UNESCO to develop adaptive strategies, integrate scientific innovations with traditional knowledge, and ensure that global heritage conservation policies remain resilient and future- focused.
As a Member of the Executive Board, Sri Lanka is actively engaged in contributing towards the shaping of UNESCO’s policies, strengthening international cooperation, and ensuring that the Organisation’s programmes align with its constitutional mission.
Sri Lanka has long been an advocate for intercultural dialogue, international peace, and the preservation of cultural heritage and spirituality. We take pride in having led the Decision on the annual Commemoration of the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO, on the 25th anniversary of the UN Proclamation last year, thus reinforcing our commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and celebrating unity in diversity on the global stage.
In keeping with this commitment, I am pleased to announce that Sri Lanka will today formally hand over the Instrument of Accession of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. This important step underscores Sri Lanka’s dedication and commitment to safeguarding cultural diversity, promoting artistic freedom and expression, and ensuring that all cultures have equal opportunity to flourish in an interconnected world.
Before I conclude, allow me to take this opportunity to extend my deep appreciation once again to the Director-General, and to the Member States of UNESCO, the President of the General Conference, the Chairperson of the Executive Board, and the Assistant Directors General and the Secretariat for their steadfast support, cooperation and collaboration in supporting Sri Lanka’s continued efforts in delivering on the dynamic mandate of UNESCO, and for their able stewardship of UNESCO’s programme of work. I would also like to thank our Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Manisha Gunasekera, for her tireless efforts on behalf of Sri Lanka and particularly the Anuradhapura heritage project.
This initiative today would not be possible without the collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment of all stakeholders present today, not least the experts as well as the international donor community. I thank all those who have worked relentlessly to make today’s Conference a success, and look forward to tangible outcomes. We look forward to further strengthening Sri Lanka’s collaboration with UNESCO in the years ahead.
I thank all of you present here today for your interest and enthusiasm. Let us aspire to not only preserve our shared heritage, but to ensure that it continues to inspire, educate, and unite generations to come.
Thank you