About the project
Preserving Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage through digital documentation and research.
Sri Lanka's maritime heritage
People have always been fascinated and inspired by the story of human becoming — particularly the parts of that story to which we have no easy access, such as the traces left behind underwater. Despite being an arduous task, exploring what lies beneath the sea is both a popular pursuit 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 now exceeds one hundred, which makes it an undisputed paradise for marine investigations in archaeology, heritage, and marine biodiversity.
Collaborative database initiative
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 voyages through sharing research accomplished in Sri Lankan waters during three decades by the Central Cultural Fund, National Aquatic Research & Development Agency, and Sri Lanka Navy. As a collaborative project, the database is set out to offer access to the data for everyone.
Comprehensive documentation
Each wreck tells a unique story, and studying them meticulously and intensively is of paramount importance. Shipwrecks 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, dozens of 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.
A digital legacy
Other than being informative, this database is a spotlight of collaborative work between private-sector organisations with different capabilities and government institutions to enrich knowledge dissemination and preservation of Sri Lankan heritage in digital format for future generations.
Database launch
The National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka was launched in December 2021.
115
Published wrecks
26
Years
4
Partners
Key features of the database
Exploring Sri Lanka's underwater cultural heritage through various digital tools
Interactive map
Explore wreck locations with geospatial referencing, clustering, and filtering options.
Explore mapMaritime timeline
Discover the evolution of maritime archaeology in Sri Lanka from the 1960s to the present.
View timelineStory of Godawaya
Learn about the Godawaya shipwreck — among the oldest known wrecks in the Asia-Pacific region.
Read storyData insights
Visualised analytics on administrative areas, access restrictions, historical periods, and depth.
View dashboardPublications
Research publications, articles, and studies related to maritime archaeology and underwater cultural heritage.
Browse publicationsResearchers
Request enhanced access to comprehensive shipwreck data for academic research and cultural heritage preservation.
Researcher accessProject partners
Organisations collaborating on the National Shipwreck Database