Categories: Headlines

Sri Lanka elected to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee

Sri Lanka was elected today (06 June 2018) to one of four seats available for the Asia-Pacific, in the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, for the period 2018-2022, at the election that took place in Paris during the 7th General Assembly of UNESCO.

Eight countries contested from the Asia-Pacific Group, namely, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Malaysia, Palau and Sri Lanka. With Palau withdrawing its candidature earlier today, seven countries stood for election. The countries that succeeded in being elected are: China, Sri Lanka, Japan and Kazakhstan, securing 123, 122, 107, and 98 votes respectively.

The Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage which became a milestone in the evolution of international policies for promoting cultural diversity was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 at its 32nd session.

Recognizing the need to safeguard the traditions and living expressions among communities in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries of the world that are inherited from our ancestors such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivals, knowledge and practices concerning nature, and knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts, Sri Lanka became a State Party to the Convention in 2008. This is the first time that Sri Lanka contested for a seat in the Committee since becoming a State Party to the Convention.

Sri Lanka recognizes that intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization, and that an understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps promote intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life. The decision to seek election to the Committee at this juncture is driven by the Government’s commitment to the process of reconciliation in the country through which Sri Lanka endeavours to preserve and promote ancient traditions of all communities in the country while fostering respect and understanding of each other’s ways of life, practices, customs and traditions.

Sri Lanka is deeply appreciative of the invaluable support received from all the States Parties to the Convention that enabled Sri Lanka’s success at this election. (Colombo Gazette)

AddThis Website Tools
Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – Sri Lanka Police deploy 24/7 security at Chabad houses

Police said today that any threats to the safety of foreign nationals on the island…

4 hours ago

LNP – Couple loses Rs 4.79 crore with digital arrest, scamster visits Sri Lankan casino

A retired engineer and his wife in Bengaluru lost Rs 4.79 crore to cyber fraudsters,…

4 hours ago

LNP – Sri Lanka continues to attract large number of Indian tourists

The latest figures released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) indicate that the…

4 hours ago

LNP – Electricity tariffs increased by 15%

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to increase electricity tariffs…

5 hours ago

LNP – Sixty-eight more inmates illegally released under Presidential pardon – ASG Peeris tells court

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peeris today told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that further investigations…

14 hours ago

LNP – President Anura Kumara departs for official visit to Germany

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has left the island short while ago, to embark on a…

14 hours ago