Services of Ministry

Divisional Cultural Centers

Foreign Cultural Relations Unit

Sri Lanka Art Council

Public Sector Cultural Activities

Grants to Cultural Organizations

DIVISIONAL CULTURAL CENTERS

Mission

Endow the sensitive and cultured people to the Sri Lanka society through preservation of culture. Promotion of Cultural enriched with novel features and propagation of cultural values among the common people under the cultural centers programmes. 

Introduction -:

In order to originate a virtuous and justified society and to uplift Art skills of Divisional Children and with the objective to bring them to Local and International status, the opening up of Cultural Centers island-wide is in operation. In order to uplift the Art skills and talents of small children youths (Male and Female) who show special interest and inspiration in the field of Arts and Crafts, a series of different Courses are being conducted free of charge by Cultural Centers  situated island-wide. Dancing courses – Up country, Low Country, Folk, Sabaragamuva and creative dances, local and foreign music, Courses in Art and Sculpture, Pre-School training workshops for physical and mental development, Courses in Drama and Ballet and training of  different language studies are in the  fore- front  conducted by Cultural Centers. 

In addition to foster and enhance knowledge of the people, library facilities, are provided of all Cultural Centers providing national programmes to develop cultural pride island-wide with cultural patronage  in no small measure. Out of national programmes, National Literary Art Festival, “Senehasa” Appreciative Clinics, Yavvanodaya Programmes, Cultural Pageants, “Ketheka Varuna”, “Sith Pahan Vewa”, programmes of devotional Songs for Vesak, Commemoration of National Days and “Pradeepaloka” Meditation programmes receive pride of place as main programmes. Programmes which receive correct organization and patronage on divisional level from cultural centers are New Year Festival, Folk poems programmes. Aluth Sahal Mangalya, Songs appreciation programmes and ceremonial dance ritual and holding of Various State Cultural Festivals and Arts Festivals can be named as specialties.

 Additional and extra services, providing dancing troupes, to recite Jayamangala Stanzas supply of Astaka recital groups, supply Tom – Tom beating groups, Dancing Costumes, drawing of banners in a creative manner, supply of Street Dancing Troupes and Horoscope Services can be treated as extra programmes conducted by Cultural centers.

Budget -:

The total expenditure for a centre is Rs. 2 Mn out of which Rs.0.5 Mn is to renovate and modify the building designate to the centre and the balance Rs. 1.5 Mn is for equipment and instruments. Each centre comprises a theatre, reading room, library, facilities  for indoor games and audio-visual equipment.

Number of Cultural Centers established from the latter part of 1998 to 2009 is 151 and the provincial break-up of the amount is as follow.

Western Province 22 North-East Province 10
Southern Province 30 Sabaragamuwa Province 12
Uva Province 15 North-West Province 20
Central Province 27 North-Central Province 15

At the outset the following programmes may be implemented at these centers. These may be taken up, considering the accommodation available at the centre and needs of the area. 

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Music Training Classes

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Dancing Training Classes

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Training in Dramas

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Organize training classes and seminars on photography

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Film and video shows

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Painting and Sculpture

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Readers Clubs and Connoisseur Group

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Research Activities

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Cultural Heritage

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Exhibition and Sales Centre

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Sports

Board of Management  -:
The Members of the committee are :-

1. Divisional Secretary
2. A principal of a school in the area.
3. Officer in-charge of the local Police Station.
4. Religious leaders.
5. The Chairman of the Divisional Cultural Council.
6. Two Committee Members of the District Cultural Organization.

Not more than five members from among the residents of the Divisional Secretary's division who are interested in activities relating to arts. The number of members in the Board of Management shall not exceed 11 and at least two of them should be females.

Training Activities -:
             Training courses may be arranged so as to improve the artistic talents of the people of the area.
Equipment and Materials -:
            The Ministry will supply Audio and Video equipment; sports goods, musical instruments, library books and furniture.

This centers should also provide wholesome entertainment and leisure time to senior citizens.

Photo Gallery

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FOREIGN CULTURAL RELATIONS UNIT.

Mission

Popularization of the Sri Lankan Culture in the World.
Introduction -:

Foreign Relations Unit has been established in the Ministry with the approved of the Cabinet granted   vide Cabinet Memorandum No 97/14 dated May 07 1997.

Objectives -:

The main objective of Foreign Relations Unit in the Ministry is to initiate and enter into bilateral cultural agreements, enhancement of the sphere of activities under existing cultural agreements, promotion of cultural relations with SAARC countries and predominantly Buddhist countries catering to the needs of expatriate Sri Lankan liaise with foreign mission etc.

Other objectives are -:

To participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes relating to Sri Lanka's external cultural relations.

To foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between Sri Lanka and other countries.

To promote cultural exchange with other countries and people.

To establish and develop relations with national and international organizations in the field of culture.

Major Activities -:

  Exchange of cultural troupes with foreign countries.

To arrange visits of foreign experts in the field of tangible and intangible culture.

To hold cultural shows in foreign counties.

To participate in International Cultural Shows.

To arrange International shows and seminars in Sri Lanka.

To send Officers and Sri Lankan delegations, where necessary, for foreign courses, seminars and workshops.

Conservation and Preservation of archeological places with cultural value, upholding of cultural values and to seek foreign aids through international agencies such as UNESCO, SAARC, ICOMS, ICCROM, BIMSTEC for the promotion of culture in Sri Lanka.

Direction and monitoring of foreign funded projects.

To enter in to bilateral agreements with foreign countries, to update such agreements and preparation and implementation of programmes to meet the goal of those agreements.

Coordinating activities are performed to present Sri Lankans in to International Competitions.

To take actions to obtain valuable antiquities of Sri Lanka in foreign countries.  

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SRI LANKA ARTS COUNCIL

           The Sri Lanka Arts Council with its panels is a pool of resources representing different aspects of culture including literature, drama, dance and music. There are 05 panels as at present :

bullet National Literature Panel
bullet National Drama Panel
bullet National Dance, Ballet Dance and Puppetry Panel
bullet National Music Panel
bullet National Arts and Sculpture Panel  
 
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GRANTS TO CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

            There are many organizations engaged in various cultural activities such as dramas, dance, music, literature etc.. Funding these organizations to make them have active and vibrant is considered the test cause of action for the Ministry rather than the government agencies themselves engaging in cultural activities.

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PUBLIC SECTOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Public Sector Comprising about 700,000 people has a large number of persons active in various fields of culture and in fact has been breeding ground of many talented artists in the country. It is considered appropriate to encourage them by giving opportunities to participate and there presence in cultural activities.

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