Galle Heritage Foundation

31/10/2026

For a Brighter Tomorrow – Community Shramadana Programme to Clean the World Heritage Site of Galle Fort

The Galle Heritage Foundation, together with the officers of the National Savings Bank’s Southern Province 2 Regional Office, successfully conducted a special community Shramadana programme to clean the historic World Heritage Site of Galle Fort on 31 October 2026.

Organised with the aim of making Galle Fort a cleaner, more beautiful, and tourist-friendly environment, the programme received the dedicated support and voluntary contributions of the National Savings Bank officers.

The Galle Heritage Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to all the officers of the National Savings Bank who contributed their time and effort to make this initiative a success.

Let us protect our heritage and preserve a clean Galle Fort for future generations! 🌿

30/10/2026

06/10/2026

Restoration of Faded Letters on Galle Fort Information Signage Begins

With the aim of preserving and conserving the heritage of the historic Galle Fort, work has commenced today to restore the faded and unclear lettering on the information signage installed throughout Galle Fort.

This initiative is being carried out under the direction and supervision of the Galle Heritage Foundation, with the generous sponsorship of Aitken Spence. The work will ensure that the information displayed on the signage is clear, legible, and accessible to visitors.

Through this programme, both local and international visitors to Galle Fort will be able to access accurate information about its historical and cultural heritage in a clearer and more convenient manner.

01/10/2026

HERITAGE WITH FUTURE – 2026 📸🎥
Short Video & Photography Competition and Exhibition – 2026

Showcase the heritage of Galle Fort to the world through your camera lens from a new perspective! 💙

You now have the opportunity to creatively capture the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of Galle Fort through photography and video, using digital technology.

🌍 Competition Categories

🎓 University & Higher Education Category
Open to students of state and private universities, technical colleges, and other higher education institutions.

🌟 Open Category
Open to local and international participants above 15 years of age.

🎯 Objective of the Competition

To encourage the younger generation to actively contribute to heritage conservation and to safeguard the historical heritage of Galle Fort for a sustainable future.

📋 Competition Guidelines
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BhNRdzLrfbHmlbLUPjO05NMaMOVtfjQH/view?usp=drive_link

📝 Apply for the Competition

Sinhala Application: https://forms.gle/XG8WwVrqQn5tDjDS8

English Application: https://forms.gle/JHXZzYTibvBx2edu9

⏰ Deadline for Submission of Applications & Entries

📅 15 October 2026
🕚 Before 11:59 PM

📢 Let’s preserve our heritage through your creativity and shape the future! 💙

01/10/2026

16/09/2026

Presentation of Appointment Letters to Newly Appointed Officers of the Galle Heritage Foundation – 2026

A special ceremony to officially present appointment letters to newly appointed officers for the vacant positions at the Galle Heritage Foundation was held on 16 September 2026 at the Galle Heritage Foundation Information Centre.
The occasion marked a significant step in further strengthening the administrative and operational capacity of the Galle Heritage Foundation, which is dedicated to the conservation and management of the heritage of the historic Galle Fort.
The appointment letters were presented for the following positions, with the aim of further streamlining the future operations of the Galle Heritage Foundation:
🔹 Director / Chief Executive Officer
🔹 Accounts Officer
🔹 Security Guards
The distinguished occasion was attended by Hon. Southern Province Governor Dr. Susiripala Manawadu, Hon. Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Mr. Rathna Gamage, Professor Deva Michael De Silva, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation, Mr. Asanga Udula Dharmadasa, Former Director / Chief Executive Officer, along with the newly appointed officers and the staff of the Galle Heritage Foundation.
Marking the commencement of the ceremony, Professor Deva Michael De Silva, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation, warmly welcomed all the distinguished guests present and delivered the welcome address.
Thereafter, following remarks by Hon. Southern Province Governor Dr. Susiripala Manawadu and Hon. Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Mr. Rathna Gamage, the appointment letters were officially presented to the newly appointed officers.

🎉 "Our warmest and heartfelt congratulations from the Galle Heritage Foundation to all the newly appointed officers who have joined us in supporting this noble and challenging mission of safeguarding Galle Fort, a heritage site with a proud and illustrious history, for future generations!"

30/07/2026

🌿 Botanical Plant Identification Project for Galle Fort 🌿

As part of the Galle Heritage Foundation's 2026 Action Plan, a Botanical Plant Identification Project is being implemented to enhance the interpretation and conservation of the natural heritage within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort.

In addition to its outstanding archaeological and cultural monuments, Galle Fort is home to a rich and diverse living plant ecosystem. The objective of this project is to provide accurate botanical information to visitors, students, researchers, and educational groups while promoting awareness of the site's natural heritage.

Accordingly, a joint field survey was successfully conducted on 27 July 2026 with the participation of officers from the Mirijjawila Dry Zone Botanic Gardens and the Galle Heritage Foundation.

During the survey, plant species found within Galle Fort were scientifically identified. In the next phase of the project, interpretive name boards will be installed featuring:

🌱 Common names in Sinhala, Tamil, and English
🌱 Scientific name
🌱 Botanical information
🌱 A QR Code providing easy access to additional digital information

This initiative represents an important step toward promoting heritage education, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable tourism while highlighting both the cultural and natural values of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort.

🌍🌿 Preserving Our Heritage • Sharing Knowledge • Inspiring Future Generations

28/07/2026

Professor Deva Michael De Silva, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation, is representing Sri Lanka at the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, which is being held from 19th to 29th July 2026 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The session brings together nearly 700 delegates from 196 countries, providing a distinguished international platform for dialogue and collaboration on the protection, conservation, and sustainable management of World Heritage properties. In keeping with the Republic of Korea's long-standing tradition of warm hospitality, the organizers have extended a gracious and respectful welcome to all participating delegates. Representing Sri Lanka alongside Professor Deva Michael De Silva is Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya, UNESCO Advisor. Their participation provides an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to contribute to international discussions on World Heritage conservation, protection, and management, while further strengthening cooperation with the global heritage community.

The Galle Heritage Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and the Organizing Committee of the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for their exceptional hospitality, excellent organization, and the warm welcome extended to all delegates. Their dedication, professionalism, and outstanding organizational efforts have greatly contributed to the success of this prestigious international event.

19/07/2026

🌍🏛️ Galle Heritage Foundation Chairman Represents Sri Lanka at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session....

We are pleased to announce that Professor Deva Michael De Silva, Chairman of the Galle Heritage Foundation, is representing Sri Lanka at the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held at BEXCO, Busan, Republic of Korea, from 19–29 July 2026.

This prestigious international session serves as a leading global platform for countries to exchange knowledge, expertise, and best practices in World Heritage conservation, management, and sustainable development. It provides an invaluable opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and contribute to the protection and promotion of the world's outstanding cultural and natural heritage.

24/06/2026

🦟🚫 Protect Our World Heritage – Eradicate the Dengue Threat Now! Clean Up Abandoned Lands & Vacant Buildings Immediately!

🏰🚫🦟 While safeguarding the historic identity of Galle Fort, we must also ensure the health and safety of its residents and visitors.

We are pleased to inform you that, through the prompt intervention of the Galle Heritage Foundation, a premises identified as a high-risk dengue breeding site located on Lighthouse Street, Galle Fort, was inspected on 24 June 2026 (today). Immediate steps were taken on the same day to clean the area in coordination with the Public Health Inspectors of the Galle Municipal Council.

Protecting our national heritage is not limited to preserving physical structures and historical value alone. Safeguarding the public health of the community living within the Fort is equally an essential part of heritage conservation.

Therefore, we earnestly request the public to support this continuous initiative by promptly informing the Galle Heritage Foundation about any individuals or locations within the Fort that pose a threat to public health. 🦟🚫