COLOMBO :The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the inaugural meeting of SAARC Heritage Forum 2025 for promoting Regional Art, Culture, Heritage Sites, Museums, and Archives organized by the Cultural Center (SCC) with the support of the Government of Sri Lanka Tuesday, (Sep 30) at the National Museum, Colombo, Sri Lanka. The forum commenced on 30th of September will be held through 2nd October.
SAARC Heritage Forum 2025 aims to bring together experts, professionals, and scholars in the field of Archeology, Cultural Heritage and Museums to foster dialogue, share knowledge, and explore innovative approaches towards the preservation and promotion of South Asia’s rich cultural heritage by strengthening cooperation, establishing the SAARC Heritage List with its Operational Guidelines and creating Cultural Trails that connect major Buddhist historical sites and facilitate access to sacred sites associated with Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and other faiths.
Addressing the inaugural occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the government’s commitment to call to action and call to reaffirm the shared vision of regional unity, regional vitality, and diplomatic renewal in preserving the cultural heritage and strengthening cooperation with SAARC. The Prime Minister further stressed the committed to supporting the institutionalization of the Forum as an annual event, with rotating leadership and inclusive participation.
Reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving the purpose and outcome this forum, the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that our cultural assets must be protected not only as the relic of the past but as resources that contribute to the identity, dialogue and inclusive development.
The event was attended by Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Faheem-ul-Aziz, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Maldives, Masood Imad, Ambassador of Nepal, Purna Bahadhur, delegates representing SAARC, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre (SCC) is Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, representatives of the European Union and Embassy of America and professionals, scholars and experts in the field.
