The SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo, convened its 13th Governing Board Meeting at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo recently. In a pioneering move, the meeting embraced a hybrid format, hosting Governing Board Members physically from Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Bhutan, India, and Nepal participated virtually.
The distinguished Governing Board Members were Md. Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Cultural Affairs Ministry of Bangladesh; Tshering Choki, Senior Programme Officer, Home Affairs Ministry of Bhutan; Yash Veer Singh, Director International Cultural Relations of the Culture Ministry in India; Shamun Hameed, Permanent Secretary of the Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Ministry of Maldives; Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha, Head of Division / Joint Secretary, Culture Division of the Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry of Nepal; Humaira Ahmed, Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division of Pakistan; and Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka.
The meeting also welcomed ex-officio members, Irosha Cooray, Director – Education, Security and Culture of the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu, Nepal; T. P. Dharmasena, Director-General of SAARC Division, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka; and Renuka Ekanayake, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka. Renuka Ekanayake, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre presented the Governing Board Report, elucidating the successful activities conducted throughout 2023 and outlining the proposed programmes for 2024.
As the supreme decision-making body, the Governing Board commended the activities conducted by the SAARC Cultural Centre in the year 2023, which included collaborative ventures such as painting exhibition of with the Royal Asiatic Society, SAARC Talk Series, SAARC Special Lectures in partnership with entities like the Archaeology Department, Kelaniya University, and National Library and Documentation Services Board and the SAARC Film Day in collaboration with the National Film Corporation.
Discussions and recommendations ensued, leading to approval of the proposed programmes and activities for the year 2024, with Member States pledging their full support. The SAARC Cultural Centre looks forward to an exciting 2024, marked by food festivals, film festivals, musical extravaganzas, textile and fashion events, artists camps, research seminars, and workshops.
The Centre anticipates a vibrant year of cultural rejuvenation across the SAARC region, showcasing resilience and rebuilding cultural activities post-pandemic. About the SAARC Cultural Centre: The SAARC Cultural Centre, established in 2009, serves as a hub for promoting cultural cooperation among SAARC Member States. It undertakes various initiatives to strengthen ties, foster understanding, and celebrate the rich cultural diversity within the region. For more information, visit https://saarcculture.org/
