Sri Lanka supports Commonwealth initiatives at UNESCO

Sri Lanka, being a key player in Commonwealth, supported the efforts under way at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris to commemorate the grouping.

Several activities had been organized in Paris to coincide with the 185th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO including a photographic exhibition under the title Faces of the Commonwealth which has brought together the member states of the grouping to showcase various aspects of life in our respective countries in terms of the diversity in culture and tradition on one common platform.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena who is also a Representative of Sri Lanka on the Executive Board visited the exhibition which is currently being showcased at the UNESCO headquarters along with the Sri Lanka Ambassador and UNESCO Permanent Delegate Lionel Fernando and UNESCO Sri Lanka National Commission Secretary General Prithi Perera.

Some of the exhibits from Sri Lanka on display include photographs depicting the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year and the festivity surrounding the playing of traditional drums to herald the dawn of the new year. Also on display was the Vel Festival held annually in honour of Hindu deities.

A special culinary exposition is also underway at the UNESCO headquarters with varying delicacies from the countries of the Commonwealth being featured, including dishes from Sri Lanka.