About the Project
Preserving Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage through digital documentation and research.
Preserving Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage through digital documentation and research.
People have always been fascinated and inspired by the story of human becoming. Particularly, of the parts of that story which they have no easy access to, like the traces left behind in underwater. Despite being an arduous task, exploring for what is beneath the sea is a popular pastime, and an academic discipline. By virtue of its strategic geographical position at the centre of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has long attracted seafarers from East to West, for trade, plunder, and conquest. A tentative estimate of the number of wrecks around the Island is now exceeding one hundred, which makes it an undisputed paradise for the pursuit of marine investigations of archaeology, heritage, and marine biodiversity.
The National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka is an inimitable exertion by the Central Cultural Fund, Maritime Archaeology Unit, Institute of Archaeology and Heritage studies, and Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands to furnish thousand-years-old human voyage, through sharing the research accomplished in Sri Lankan waters during three decades by the Central Cultural Fund, National Aquatic Research & Development Agency, and Sri Lanka Navy. Being a collaborative project, the database is set out to offer access to the data for everyone.
Each wreck tells a unique story and studying them meticulously and intensively is of paramount importance. Aiding in this quest, shipwrecks available in the database contain details such as the ship's name, locality, other names, operation period, wreck type, depth, legal status, discovery date, and access restriction. Moreover, 80 shipwreck sites are further enhanced by short videos and photographs, descriptions, and related research. The database is further embellished by interactive maps, maritime timelines, storytelling, shipwreck dashboards, and related publications. Some sensitive data of protected shipwrecks is available upon written request.
Other than being informative, this database is a spotlight of collaborative work of private sector organizations with different capabilities and government institutions to enrich the knowledge dissemination and preservation of Sri Lankan heritage in digital format for the future generation.
Exploring Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage through various digital tools
Visualize shipwreck locations around Sri Lanka with detailed geospatial data and filtering options.
Discover the evolution of maritime archaeology in Sri Lanka from the 1960s to the present.
Access visualized analytics about shipwrecks including administrative areas, historical periods, and more.
The dedicated professionals behind the National Shipwreck Database
Maritime Archaeologist
Rasika is the project leader of the National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka and the key person behind this project. He is attached to the Maritime Archaeology Unit of Central Cultural Fund. His work, years of dedication, and maritime archaeology peer network were instrumental in bringing this national database online.
ICT Consultant
Anuradha is an electrical engineer and archaeology enthusiast. He is the co-founder of archaeology.lk and Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Studies. He played a significant role in designing, data representation, and developing this online database.
Maritime Archaeologist
Indika is a young maritime archaeologist from the Maritime Archaeology Unit of Central Cultural Fund. His contribution to compiling the available information is key to the success of this project.
Solo Underwater Explorer
Dharshana is a pioneering solo underwater explorer in Sri Lanka. He is the author of Ghosts of the Deep – Diving the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka and has identified the origins of several mystery wrecks in Sri Lanka and discovered its first underwater cave system. His information, videos, and photographs of shipwrecks around the country helped the project to provide a better understanding of our underwater heritage to everyone.
Solo Underwater Explorer
Amal is an alumnus and former lecturer at the Adelaide University. He is a diving enthusiast and a good writer. His narration of the story of Godayawa for this project shows his love and passion for maritime archaeology.
Former Director General
Former Director General
Former Director General
Former Director (Development)
Current Maritime Archaeology Unit Team at Godawaya
Officer in charge
R.P. Sunil, Peminda Kumara, H.N.S. Perera, Nishantha Balasooriya, G.M. Priyantha, Colambage Jagath Lal, Shanaka Dilshan Perera, Chathurika Munasinge, Abby Polk, Madhu Mathi, Yoga Raja, Greshan, Kamal Deva, Felician Fernando, Supun Kanchana, Janaka de Silva, Adithya Muthucumarana
Prof Mangala Katugampola, Ujitha Punchihewa, Thilini Nuwanthika, Niranjan Jayakodi, Thilina Pallethanna, Dinusha Emantha, Kosala Madusanka, Manoj Indunil, V.P.A Sampath, Thilini Alwis, Ama Mihiri Wikramadara, A. Sarvatheepan, U. Balaarachchi, N.D. Gamage, S. Sivaruban, Shamalie Sanjiwani
Ashoka Perera, Anna Shepard, Anura Perera, Anusha Kasthuruarachchi, Andy Viduka, Annette Scherur, A.M.A.Dayananda, Amer Khan, Alok Thripathi, Amalka Wijesuriya, Barbara Consolini, Barbara Bolen, Balachandra H.K., Bill Jeffrey, Chandana Weerasinha, Clair Bans, Chinthana Thilak, Chaminda Yakshan, Chathuranga V.S., Chandana Prasad Pushpakumara, Corioli Souter, Cristian Kettle, Chalani Nadeeka, Chaminda Prasad, Channa Jayasinha, Darshani Samanthilaka, Dulip Asanka, Dena Garratte, Dilrukshi Sanjeevani, Eranga Kotuwegedara, Gamini Saman, Gunasekara A.S., Gihan Jayathilaka, Gamini Kumara, Hettipathirana H.D.S., Hance Bonke, Harry Bourima, Ian Godfrey, Indrani Fernando, Iresha Samaraweera, Inoka Liyanage, Inga Godfrey, Indrajith Kuruppu, Jeremy Green, John Carpenter, Jeff Kimpton, Jayarathne D.K., Jagath Weerasinhe, Janaka Warusawithana, Jayantha Mahanama, Jayadewa Wijenayake, Jayathissa Rathnayeka, Kumarasinha Thannegedara, Karan Millar, Karina Acton, Kamal Kumara Soyza, Kumarasinha H.M.D., Kapila Priyantha, Karunapala W.K., Kalle Kasi, Kevin Kemige, Kathelina, Kristian Murry, Krishantha, Lodewijk Wagenaar, Lotti Beichert, Mohan Abeyratne, Michael Nash, Martin, Martjin Menders, Menno Lester, Miranda Voss, Moira Tampoe, Mahisha Samaraweera, Malik Fernando, Nipshira Kandakapuge, Nilantha Liyanage, Nilanthi Liyanage, Nimal Rexy, Nishantha Kumara, Navarathna Karawgahanga, Nayana Bandara, Nerina de Silva, Nirosha Gunawardhana, Nicolas Bogiman, Nelka Dabare, Nissanka, Nimal Karunathilaka, Nimal Wikramapala, Palitha Weerasinhe, Palingu Manike M.M., Premarathne T.M., Patrick Baker, Pradeep Kumara, Patricia Meehan, Pilantha Jayarathne, Priyantha Rathnayeka, Priyantha Attanayeka, Praki Thomas, Rasika Muthucumarana, Robert Parthesius, Ruwan Kumara, Ranjith Bandara, Ricardo Favis, Roelof Munneke, Ross Anderson, Raj Somadewa, Rohitha Ranasinha, Rukshan Amal Jayawardhana, S.M. Nandadasa, Somasiri Devendra, Saman de Silva, Sanath Karunarathne, Sara Ward, Senerath Liyanapathirana, Senarath Weerasinhe, Sugath Darmawardana, Somasiri Silva, Senerath Yapa, Srilal, Tatiana Villegas, Tom Dawson, Vanessa Roth, Vallerio Baffa, Wendy van Duivenvoorde, Wathsala Sanjeewani, Wicki Richards, Wasana Sirimalwatta, Wajira Abewardana
Organizations collaborating to preserve Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage
The Central Cultural Fund is part of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage. It is to provide necessary funds for the excavation and conservation of monuments of cultural and religious value. Make arrangements to meet the expenditure incurred on the development of archaeological sites in Sri Lanka or another country.
CCF is the custodian agency of the World Heritage sites (cultural) in Sri Lanka and is also responsible for the social, cultural, and economic development in Sri Lanka through conservation, development, and promotion of the cultural heritage of national and international recognition.
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The Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of the Central Cultural Fund was founded in 2001 under the aegis of the Mutual Heritage Centre. Following the early research and explorations carried out since 1992, the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology took the initiative to establish the specific institute for conducting underwater archaeological research in Sri Lanka.
Our main intention is to develop the field of maritime archaeology in Sri Lanka to protect our valuable underwater cultural heritage. The CCF manage the MAU under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage.
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IAHS is a non-profit, independent academic and research institute founded and shaped by the passionate archaeologist and engineer, in 2019, to nurture an appreciation for Sri Lankan heritage and history among the general public, and provide archaeological and heritage management consultancy to private and public organizations.
IAHS is an independent organization that focuses on the identification, preservation, and responsible exploration of prehistoric archaeological sites in the Island country and achieves it through its four main focus areas:
It is the only independent archaeological institute in Sri Lanka that provides academic courses, conducts research, and offers archaeological and heritage preservation consultancy to Government and private entities.
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"Giving our future a past and our past a future. That's what we stand for. Together with our partners, we ensure good heritage care. And we use the power of heritage for major societal challenges. Our employees do this with heart and soul.."
The Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science. We work under the direct responsibility of the minister and implement laws, regulations, and heritage policy that the ministry and the service make together. We also develop practically applicable knowledge and provide advice on national monuments, landscape & living environment, archeology, and movable heritage.
On behalf of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, the Cultural Heritage Agency designates national archaeological monuments, grants permits in the event of soil disturbance, provides subsidies for conservation, and manages Archives, the archaeological information system. We also offer advice, conduct research, and share the acquired knowledge with others.
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