The Workshop on Documentation and Inventorying of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Sri Lanka, jointly organized by CRIHAP and the National Library and Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka, commenced in Kandy, Sri Lanka from December 3 to 6, 2024. Over 50 cultural officers and experts from relevant fields in Sri Lanka participated in the workshop. The workshop was generously supported by China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. K.G.H. Niskanka, Deputy Chief Secretary of Central Provincial Cultural Affairs Department, explained the importance of inventorying the ICH elements in the Central province, which is very rich in ICH resources. Professor Kamal Waleboda, Chairman of the ICH Advisory Pannel, Sri Lanka Arts Councils, Sri Lanka, highlighted the importance of ICH safeguarding for national development and achieving sustainable development goals. He praised the efforts made by the National Library of Sri Lanka in safeguarding the country’s ICH. Mr. W. Sunil, Director of the National Library and Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka, expressed gratitude to CRIHAP for its support to Sri Lanka’s ICH safeguarding and hoped to maintain close cooperation with CRIHAP to strengthen the exchange of experiences in ICH safeguarding.

Mr. Ni Lisheng, Director of China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, emphasized that both China and Sri Lanka possess a long history and splendid culture, as well as rich Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The two countries can exchange experiences, learn from and appreciate each other in the ICH field, for promoting ICH transmission, safeguarding, and development. This will not only enhance mutual understanding and cultural integration between the two peoples but also further deepen the long-standing friendly relationship between the two countries. Representatives from the central provincial cultural department attended the opening ceremony.