’Digital store’ to conserve content at National Archives

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish a "digital store" to conserve digital content archived at the Department of National Archives. 

The proposal was submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. 

The Government noted that the National Archives contains legitimate reserves of all publications including newspapers published in Sri Lanka from the 19th Century as well as invaluable archived documents created in the Dutch and British colonial reigns since 1640AD.

This collection is swelling daily due to the enormous heap of documents including digital publications and documentaries, boradcasting and telecasting, websites and electronic mail, it was further noted. 

Accordingly, Cabinet approved the Prime Minister's proposal to establish a digital store adhering to international standards on digital conservation for ensuring the accountability and authenticity of those digital documents.