A four-day workshop on the planning of antiquities and monuments, organized by the Ramba Vihara Workshop under the instructions of the Director General, was held at the Ramba Vihara premises from 06.01.2026 to 09.01.2026.  Resources for this workshop were contributed by Mr. Pravin Indika Yasarage, Research Expert. Graduates of the Tissa Ramba Vihara Workshop Training Programme participated in this workshop. Director of Archaeology Mr. Nimal Perera and Site In-charge Ms. Ayesha Thenuwara attended the event.

Hon. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhist, Religious and Cultural Affairs, visited the Central Cultural Fund Head Office today (January 2) for an observation visit and extended New Year greetings to the staff.Dr. Nilan Cooray, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, along with members of the Board of Directors, officers, and staff members participated in the event.

The Central Cultural Fund officially commenced the New Year 2026 January 1st at its Head Office and the Atapattu Office.The ceremonial inauguration was attended by the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, Dr. Nilan Cooray, along with staff members from all departments of the institution. The event marked the beginning of another year of dedicated service toward the preservation and promotion of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.

With the dawn of the New Year 2026, the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) ceremonially commenced its official duties across all project sites islandwide, including Battalia National Replica School, Ramba Viharaya, Dambadeniya, Paduwasnuwara, Alahana Pirivena–Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Dambulla, and Sigiriya.  The New Year observances were conducted in accordance with traditional religious and cultural practices, featuring customary rituals, religious blessings, the singing of the National Anthem, and the taking of the State Pledge. Project managers, site officers, and staff members participated in these events.  These ceremonies symbolized CCF’s continued dedication to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s archaeological and cultural heritage and ensuring its preservation for future generations. Dambadeniya Dambadeniya Dambadeniya Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Dambulla Dambulla Dambulla Paduwasnuwara Load More End of Content.

A special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central Cultural Fund was held at the Ratmalana Irrigation Auditorium on 31 December 2025 to review the progress of the development plan implemented in 2025 and discuss the implementation of the development plan for 2026. Archaeological directors, conservation directors, assistant directors, project supervision officers, project supervision managers, and placement officers attended the event. The discussion examined the progress of projects implemented in 2025 and provided necessary plans and guidance for successfully implementing development works in the coming year.

Under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. Nilan Cooray, Director General of Central Cultural Fund and Director (development) Dr. Sumedha Mathota, a four-day workshop was organized by the excavation section of the Abhayagiri Workplace of Anuradhapura project. The workshop was conducted at the East Pond Excavation Campus thanks to the resource contribution of veteran researcher Mr. Indika Veralage. The workshop was attended by archaeology officers, training graduates, and planners of the Anuradhapura project.

The first international conference on tea cultural landscape was started in Nuwara Eliya under the leadership of Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhist Governance, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The aim is to gain a crucial approach to including Sri Lanka’s tea cultural landscape in the UNESCO Tentative List. Professor Hartwig Bohne, Director of World Heritage Research Institute of Japan, Wataru Ono, and preachers from countries including UK, Korea, Spagain, China, India and Thailand were also together for this and Dr. Sagara Jayasinghe, Dr. Anura Pradeep, Dayathisara The conference included research papers and lectures of many representatives including Mr. Hewawasam, Mr. Dinesh de Alwis and Mr. Dayan Seneviratne.  Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Nilan Kure, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, Professor M. S. M. Aslam from the Faculty of Management at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and Dr. Sumedha Mathota, Director of the Central Cultural Fund (Development), along with officers from the Department of Archaeology and scientists from Sabaragamuwa University, were also present at the event.

In recognition of the immortal service rendered by Dr. Roland Silva — an architect, archaeologist, administrator, and institution builder who pioneered sustainable financing for national heritage and set an international example — the Central Cultural Fund was established under his leadership to safeguard Sri Lanka’s heritage. Marking the 35th anniversary of his presidency of ICOMOS, the Sri Lanka Foundation held the 2025 National Conference under the theme “From Dr. Roland Silva to the Future: New Directions in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage.” During the inauguration ceremony of this conference, a commemorative stamp and first day cover were issued to honor his outstanding contributions.      

Marking 35 years since Dr. Roland Silva’s tenure as President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the 2025 National Conference titled “Beyond Dr. Roland Silva: New Directions in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage” was held by the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on October 25 and 26. Dr. Roland Silva — an architect, archaeologist, administrator, and institution builder — was honoured for his pioneering and enduring service in establishing the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) to ensure sustainable financing for national heritage and for setting a global example in the protection of cultural heritage. At the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya praised the contributions of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) and ICOMOS, emphasising that their ongoing collaboration will help safeguard Sri Lanka’s heritage against emerging global challenges and ensure its preservation for future generations. The event also featured the launch of the book “Tivanka Pilimage of Polonnaruwa,” a copy of which was presented to the Prime Minister. Additionally, a commemorative stamp and first-day cover were issued to mark the 35th anniversary of Dr. Roland Silva’s election as President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The occasion was graced by Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund Dr Nilan Cooray, foreign diplomats, Mrs Roland Silva, as well as numerous scholars and professionals in the field.