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UNESCO Director-General arrives here tomorrow

Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, the Director-General of UNESCO arrives in Sri Lanka early Wednesday, May 8 on a two day visit connected with education and culture related activities.

The main purpose of the visit is to inaugurate the UNESCO-sponsored International Seminar on the Proposed Regional Institute of Museolory for the Asia-Pacific Region which will be held in Colombo and at the world heritage site of Polonnaruwa from May 8 to 11. The need for a Regional Institute of Museology which would cater to the training requirements of museum personnel in the Asia-Pacific and neighbouring regions has been a long cherished idea among those who are in this particular field.

The international seminar coordinated by the Central Cultural Fund and the Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology, Colombo supported by the Department of National Museums and the Department of Archaeology will discuss the usefulness and feasibility of such a Project. It will be attended by Representatives from 22 countries in the Region. If adequate international interest is displayed Sri Lanka would be requested to contribute the land, the initial building infrastructure and support personnel. The ideal location that has been suggested is the world heritage site of Polonnaruwa where there already is an archaeological museum in place.

The UNESCO Director-General will meet the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Speaker of Parliament. During his brief stay in the island he will have a discussion with the Ministers of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, of which the focus will be on UNESCO activities in the country.

Mr. Matsuura will also participate at the opening of the new Office for the UNESCO National Commission of Sri Lanka at the post Graduate Institute of Management, Colombo 8 and the launch of the UNESCO publication "Way of Peace" at the Parliamentary Complex.

He leaves Colombo for Paris early Friday May 10.

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