SAARC Cultural Centre is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the SAARC Regional Seminar on Cultural Dynamics in National Harmony (CDNH) in South Asia. The Seminar was held from 15-16 May 2015 at the Senate Room, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. It was attended by over 50 participants, from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka.

The Seminar was convened with a view to provide a platform to the academics and experts on the subject to discuss key issues, moot research questions and to identify themes and subthemes of Cultural Dynamics in National Harmony in South Asia that will merit independent and in-depth research.

The Welcome Address was delivered by Mr. G. L. W. Samarasinghe, Director, SAARC Cultural Centre while Prof. Shantha K. Hennayake, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka delivered the Keynote Speech.

A total of twenty two research papers were presented in eight academic sessions spread over two days (15-16 May 2015). The sessions were along the following themes:

Introductory Session (1 Session),

Role of Literature and Arts in Creating a Culture of Peace (1 Session),

Role of Popular Culture in Promoting Regional Harmony (Mass Media/ Sports/ Films/ Music etc.) (1 Session),

Culture & Identity (1 Session),

Education and Peace-building (1 Session),

Culture & Identity (Case Studies) (1 Session),

Cultural Approaches to Conflict Management (1 Session) and

Culture, Development & National Harmony (1 Session)

At the conclusion of the Academic Sessions, a Plenary Session was held on 16 May 2015 as a closed-door event with the participation of all Chairpersons of the Academic Sessions. It was chaired by Mr. G.L.W. Samarasinghe, Director, SAARC Cultural Centre. The objectives of the Plenary Session were to consider all suggestions submitted by the participants in Feedback forms, finalize the Research themes/ topics for the purpose of inviting research proposals under the SAARC Research Programme on Cultural Dynamics in National Harmony (CDNH) in South Asia (2015-16), and to review the Form/ Guidelines for the submission of the research proposals.  The Plenary Committee perused all the Feedback forms received from the participants of the Seminar and various themes suggested therein were discussed in detail.

The Valedictory Session of the Seminar was held at the Senate Room, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Mr. G.L.W. Samarasinghe, Director, SAARC Cultural Centre and Prof. Shantha K. Hennayake, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Peradeniya distributed certificates and mementos to all participants, paper presenters and delegates of the Seminar. Ms. Apsara Karunaratne, Research Assistant, SAARC Cultural Centre proposed the Vote of Thanks.

A full day post-seminar tour was organized for the participants of the seminar to Yapahuwa on 17 May 2015.

King Buvanekabahu IV built Yapahuwa to be both a capital city and fortress. As such, the site is located on a rock 30 meters high affording panoramic (and strategically important) views of the surrounding area. The flagship feature of Yapahuwa today is, however, its ornamental staircase that takes the traveler to the scenic heights of the rock.

The transport for the post-seminar tour was facilitated by the University of Peradeniya.