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Travelling history museum in Kurunegala

Promoting public dialogue on history and social cohesion

by damith
November 19, 2023 1:01 am 0 comment 1.2K views

North Western Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene lights the oil lamp

Travelling history museum came to Kurunegala on November 8, providing a weeklong opportunity for local residents to connect with the country’s rich and diverse history. The museum took place at the Town Hall, Kurunegala from November 8 -14, through the partnership of Search for Common Ground, along with the Collective for Historical Dialogue and Memory. The initiative was supported by the program Strengthening Social Cohesion and Peace in Sri Lanka (SCOPE), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms.

The museum’s stop in Kurunegala, is part of an islandwide tour that continues after 2020, when it was abruptly brought to a halt by the Covid-19 pandemic. The museum had already toured in its full form in six locations across the country prior to this event. The museum offers the public an educational and interactive experience that goes beyond history books, to bring Sri Lanka’s post independent history to life through curated exhibits by artists, historians and researchers.

Over the week, the museum has been attended by students, teachers, researchers, artists, youth networks, religious leaders and decision makers from within the district.

Chief Guest, North Western Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said, “I believe that this initiative is valuable, especially for children, as this will help them to learn from the historical events and understand what went wrong. Children need to be given opportunities in society where they can interact with a variety of people, comprehend their rights, and develop an appreciation for diversity.

National Integration Division, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Additional Secretary R P S Samankumari addressing the gathering

National Integration Division, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Additional Secretary R P S Samankumari addressing the gathering

As a result, our communities need to start a dialogue about what led to the division of our society. This museum, in my opinion, is a fantastic initiative to support and initiate such a dialogue.”

National Integration Division, Ministry of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Additional Secretary R P S Samankumari said, “The Government committed to reconciliation measures prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. The ministry is continuing to support efforts of reconciliation with funding from foreign entities, because of the numerous obstacles in the current environment.”

“This museum aids in the post-conflict era by allowing us to reflect on the past, when the nation experienced numerous internal conflicts in addition to the civil war, and to comprehend the causes of these regrettable events. We must be able to recognise one another as Sri Lankans while also appreciating the diversity of our cultural backgrounds,” she said.

Director General, Office of National Unity and Reconciliation Deepthi Lamahewa addressing the gathering

Director General, Office of National Unity and Reconciliation Deepthi Lamahewa addressing the gathering

The Government’s commitment to supporting this process was further emphasized by the Director General, Office of National Unity and Reconciliation Deepthi Lamahewa. He said, “The Ministry of Justice is the initiative’s primary line ministry. The ministry works with civil society organisations, reconciliation and coexistence committees and official agencies that are dedicated to the nation’s reconciliation process. We are delighted to be here today and contribute to the endeavour of promoting social togetherness in Sri Lanka.

Operating within the MoJ, ONUR is the national office for peace and reconciliation initiatives. We are present to be part of a component of the project today. The SCOPE program has offered to continue the work of fostering peace and reconciliation in the nation in partnership with the Government.”

The travelling history museum is an initiative aimed at deepening the understanding of the pluralistic experiences of Sri Lankans from different walks of life. It was initiated in 2019, under an earlier program, the Strengthening Reconciliation Processes in Sri Lanka, co-financed by the EU and German Federal Foreign Office. During this time, over 20,000 visitors had come to the museum. Given the high level of positive reception and feedback, plans were drawn to take the museum to more locations.

This was curtailed by the pandemic. It currently has taken its full shape under the auspices of the SCOPE program and will be touring different parts of the country till 2025.

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