Fifteenth Meeting of the Governing Board of the SAARC Cultural Centre convenes under the Chairmanship of the Royal Government of Bhutan

The Fifteenth Governing Board Meeting of the SAARC Cultural Centre, Chaired by the Royal Government of Bhutan was held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka from 19-20 August 2025. The Meeting convened with Members representing the esteemed Governments of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Republic of Nepal, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka who attended the meeting in person, while representatives from the Republic of India, the Republic of Maldives, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan participated virtually. Outgoing Chairperson Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh welcoming all Members handed over the Chairmanship to Ms. Nagtsho Dorji from the Royal Government of Bhutan for the next two years.

The Governing Board Members of the SAARC Cultural Centre are as follows:

  1. Ms. Nagtsho Dorji (Chairperson) – Director, Dept. of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan
  2. Mr. Md. Mizanur Rahman – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
  3. Ms. Priyanka Chandra – Director, International Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture, Republic of India
  4. Hon. Mr.Mohamed Shahuruzziyad – Hon.Minister of States for Divehi Language, Culture & Heritage, Republic of Maldives
  5. Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha – Head of the Division/Joint Secretary-Culture Division, Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Republic of Nepal
  6. Mr. Asad Rehman Gilani – Secretary, National Heritage & Culture Division,Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  7. Mr. Prince Senadeera – Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs,   Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
  8. Ms. Irosha Cooray – Director (ESC and  Administration) SAARC Secretariat, Karhmandu, Nepal
  9. Mr. Samantha Pathirana – Director General/South Asia & SAARC Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Govt. of Sri Lanka
  10. Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, Director, SAARC Cultural Centre Sri Lanka

The Governing Board reviewed the SAARC Cultural Centre’s activities carried out during the year 2025 and deliberated on the proposed activities for the year 2026 for consideration and approval at the forthcoming SAARC Programming Committee Meeting scheduled to be held in Kathmandu.  The plan of activities for 2026 under 9 thematic areas were presented to the Governing Board with Members reaffirming their continued support and commitment to the SAARC Agenda for Culture in fostering intercultural dialogue and cultural cooperation.