The Central Cultural Fund was the implementing agency for the UNESCO- Sri Lanka cultural Triangle from 1980 to 1997, covering World Heritage Sites of Anuradhapura including Abhayagiriya and Jetavana Monasteries, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kandy. This is the largest ever heritage conservation programme carried out in Sri Lanka and one of the most successful UNESCO sponsored programme. A campaign was launched through the UNESCO to obtain initial funds from the international community and agencies to commence the work. Following are the major activities covered by Central Cultural Fund.
Archaeological investigations
Conservation (built heritage, artifact, murals and other decorative work) scientific research related to heritage preservation
Provision of heritage information
Development of visitor infrastructure facilities at heritage sites
Site and museum presentation
To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. These criteria are explained in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention which, besides the text of the Convention, is the main working tool on World Heritage. The criteria are regularly revised by the Committee to reflect the evolution of the World Heritage concept itself.
to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or
technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history;
to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;
to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria);
to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance;
to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.
