1948 United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Sri Lanka

The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) New Delhi office was established in 1948, designated as a cluster office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In November 1949, the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO was established, and in March 2010, a Country Focal Point Office for the UNESCO Cluster Office-Delhi was set up.

In Sri Lanka, UNESCO focuses on strengthening the quality of education through teacher development, which includes the setting up of the South Asian Centre for Teacher Development in Sri Lanka (UNESCO Category II Centre). Further initiatives include implementation of the action plans on the enhancement of education for peace and sustainable development, supporting world heritage sites management, protecting intangible cultural heritage, and providing research and monitoring bases for biodiversity and ecosystem services.