OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

Sri Lanka is a country of many races and religions, observing many different cultural practices.

The people of Sri Lanka have inherited a great culture and a civilization. Arachaeological evidence exists to prove that Sri Lanka has been populated for over 3000years. There is also confirmed archaeological evidence to say that about 800B.C. the Sinhalese had settled down in the citadel area in Anuradhapura with a highly developed culture.

Culture encompass not only art and literature, but also lifestyles, value systems, traditional and beliefs.

There are many places of historical and cultural importance in Sri Lanka. Lot of ruins can be seen in these palces. Some of these palces are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Yapahuwa and Panduwasnuwara. We should protect the remains of these ruined cities because they are the monuments that symbolize the great past of our country. We can imagine the skills and talents of our ancestors through these building, structures and images. We should preserve them for our future generation. One day they too will at these monuments with Pride.

Buddhism has only molded the lives and thoughts of the people, but also has served as the chief source of inspiration to the cultural and social achievements of the national During the long and eventful history the island was subjected to numerous foreign invasions. But our people were able to protect all the objects that were of cultural value.

We have many traditional arts and crafts. We should protect them. In citifies like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa we can see huge stone pillars, Buddha statues, Moonstones, Guard stones and ruins of ancient Dagabad. These cities have become very popular places to tourists.

We should never forget our traditional customs and practices. We follow these customs specially at our National Festivals such as Sinhala and Hindu new year and Independence day celebrations. We should pass  on these age old  customs and practices to our younger generation. We should always try to make them aware of the value and importance of theses customs and practices.

We should also protect aesthetic arts and clothing native to us. It is said that a race could be identified by their dress. We should wear such clothes at important events, cultural festivals and religious ceremonies. We should give priority to our traditional music. But today most of the Sri Lankans have compelled to imitate and respect Hindi and Western Music. This is as very sad state of affairs.

Vandals and treasure hunters destroy even ancient Buddha statues today. Archaeological department alone cannot preserve these places. General public should extend their co-opreation toward the department in this connection. Otherwise these antiquities of historical and cultural importance will be lost for ever.