Unanimous Governing Board approval for 2024 SAARC Cultural Centre programmes

The SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka recently convened its 13th Governing Board Meeting at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo from 28th to 29th November. In a pioneering move, the meeting embraced a hybrid format, hosting esteemed Governing Board Members physically from Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Bhutan, India, and Nepal participated virtually, the SAARC Cultural Centre said in a statement.

The distinguished Governing Board Members were Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary (Administration) of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh; Tshering Choki, Senior Programme Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs of Bhutan; Yash Veer Singh, Director International Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture in India; Shamun Hameed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage of Maldives; Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha, Head of Division / Joint Secretary, Culture Division of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal; Humaira Ahmed, Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division of Pakistan; and Somarathne Vidanapathirana, Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs 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, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka; and Renuka Ekanayake, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Ekanayake, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre presented the Governing Board Report, elucidating the successful activities conducted throughout 2023 and outlining the proposed programs 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 an Exhibition of Paintings with the Royal Asiatic Society, SAARC Talk Series, SAARC Special Lectures in partnership with entities like the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, 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 unanimous 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," the statement stressed.