Sri Lanka – Netherlands Cultural Programmes   

Location :-The triangular area joining the three main important cultural and national heritage zones, namely the Bentota-Galle zone to the west, Matara region to the south and Kataragama-Yala to the east to form the proposed Southern Cultural Triangle. All major cultural and natural heritage sites will be included in the proposed Cultural triangle in the South.

  Approximate Cost        :- Rs. 702 Million

  Funds From                  :- Government of Royal Netherlands

  Beneficiaries                :- Domestic and International Visitors, Students, General Public

  Duration                       :-  From 2006 to 2009

  Implementing Agency :- Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage with the cooperation of several institutions under the Ministry.

  Objectives                  :-  Conservation and development of sites which were establish in Dutch period  in Southern Province which possess of great historical important, to be bestowed to future generations as a legacy of Sri Lankan heritage of great value.

Description of the Project :-

Being a new approach to the proposed cultural development strategy, the joint statement signed between the Netherlands and Sri Lanka under the mutual cultural cooperation programme expects to focus on the introduction of “A Cultural Triangle Concept” in the south, firstly to conserve and preserve its heritage sites and secondly through proper presentation of such sites to attract more local and foreign visitors to the region thus creating a conducive atmosphere to expand economically gainful activities which will result in the generation of new employment opportunities and new sources of income for the people. The development and expansion of tourism and travel trade related activities will add to achieve the above objectives.

The region has close geographical and social links with the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. This vast region including its periphery has a large portion of the country’s population representing all the religious and ethnic communities living in Sri Lanka. One of the main objectives given in the joint statement is to prepare an overall development plan incorporating the cultural sector development activities identified there-in already to an integrated program embracing the entire southern region.

18 Projects are in progress under this programme and a sum of Rs. 702 Million has been provided by the government of Netherlands. This project which was started in 2006 will be completed in 2009. As the end of 2008 the following projects will be completed in full.

• Conservation of the Ancient Dutch Warehouse

• Construction of Kataragama Museum and Information Centre

• Conservation and landscaping Katuwana Dutch Fortress

• Reconstruction of Ancient Urubokka Dam

• Conservation and landscaping Matara Star Fortress

• Conservation of Dutch Church at Matara.

The following projects which are in progress are to be completed at the end of 2008.

• Conservation of Ancient Rampart of Galle

• Renovations of Galle Maritime Museum

• Conservation, preservation and renovation of the Naval Commissioner's House at Trincomalee

• Maritime History and Archaeology Museum and Information Centre

• Re-Establishment and Restoration of Ancient Sewerage System in Galle Fort

• Conservation of Private Houses in Galle Fort

• Technical assistance and preservation of Ancient Dutch Records

• Conservation of Ancient Dutch Textiles