Beyond Dr. Roland Silva: Charting New Frontiers in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage
Successfully Concluded on 25–26 October 2025 at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo
The Central Cultural Fund (CCF) and ICOMOS Sri Lanka proudly announced the successful conclusion of the National Heritage Conference 2025, themed “Beyond Dr. Roland Silva: Charting New Frontiers in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Heritage.” Held on the 25th and 26th of October 2025 at the Sri Lanka Foundation, Colombo, the conference brought together a diverse community of heritage professionals, academics, conservationists, and students from across Sri Lanka and beyond.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. It began with a warm welcome by Dr. Nilan Cooray, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund and President of ICOMOS Sri Lanka. A key highlight of the opening ceremony was the launch of the final volume of “The Paintings of Sri Lanka” series, the Tivanka Image House, co-authored by the late Dr. Roland Silva. In addition, a commemorative stamp was issued to mark the 35th anniversary of Dr. Silva’s election as President of ICOMOS International.
Across two enriching days, the conference featured nine parallel sessions covering a wide range of themes, including digital heritage, GIS and LiDAR technologies, sustainable conservation, heritage tourism, climate change, and inclusive management practices. Over sixty insightful presentations explored innovative approaches to research, documentation, and preservation of Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural heritage.
The event fostered engaging discussions and collaborations among participants, emphasizing the importance of technology, sustainability, and community engagement in heritage conservation. It also served as a platform for young researchers to share pioneering work that reflects the evolving spirit of Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape.
The conference concluded with reflections on future directions for heritage research and the distribution of certificates to all presenters. Beyond Dr. Roland Silva 2025 was a fitting tribute to one of Sri Lanka’s greatest heritage visionaries, celebrating his enduring influence while charting new pathways for the country’s cultural future.
Monthly Public Lectures
As a part of the grand agenda of knowledge dissemination, the ICOMOS Sri Lanka conducts a monthly program of public lectures. The themes of the lectures cover a wide range of disciplines that includes archaeology, art history, architecture, heritage law, conservation, heritage documentation et.
Special Public Lectures
In addition to the monthly lecture program, there is also a special public lecture program conducted by eminent scholars. These lectures are open to the public and are free of charge.
Training Programs or Workshops
Furthermore, ICOMOS Sri Lanka also organizes training programs or workshops on practical aspects of the conservation practice. The focussed groups for this series are undergraduate students and mid-career professionals who are already working for the Department of Archaeology and the Central Cultural Fund.
ICOMOS Sri Lanka Event Calendar
december, 2025