Establishment of Sri Lanka Directorate of Cultural Relations
The Sri Lanka Directorate of Cultural Relations is a newly established body under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism. Its purpose is to strengthen cultural diplomacy as part of the National Policy Framework – Thriving Nation and Beautiful Life.
The Directorate serves as the Ministry's principal institutional mechanism for advancing cultural diplomacy by strengthening partnerships with Sri Lanka Missions abroad, Colombo-based Diplomatic Missions, international organizations, relevant Government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the Sri Lankan diaspora.
The Directorate functions as an ideal platform to connect Sri Lanka's unique multicultural heritage with overseas Sri Lankans and the international community, enabling our cultural diversity to be represented confidently on the global stage while preserving its authenticity and national identity.
Through this initiative, Sri Lanka seeks to contribute its rich cultural traditions towards global cultural integration and further strengthen the country's presence and influence in international cultural diplomacy.
The objectives of the Sri Lanka Directorate of Cultural Relations are as follows,
Enhance cultural exchanges and promoting Sri Lankan culture abroad to build soft power and foster mutual understanding through establishing cultural centers, supporting Sri Lankan artists and performers in international platforms, and participating in global cultural events.
Recognize proper mutual understanding between the peoples of Sri Lanka and other nations is an essential prerequisite for conducting diplomacy.
Utilize sports diplomacy as a foundation for establishing solid relationships with other countries through sports exchanges.
Initiate specific cultural weeks/month with countries in where considerable Sri Lankan diaspora is presence and countries where we get considerable inflow of tourists