News
US partners with Lanka to preserve historic Thuparama Image House in Polonnaruwa
The US Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Central Cultural Fund, launched a new conservation project to protect the ancient Thuparama Image House, a key site within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Polonnaruwa Ancient City on Friday. This initiative, funded by a $109,000 grant (over Rs. 32 million) from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), reflects U.S. commitment to preserving Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage for future generations. The event was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
At Friday’s ceremony, Ambassador Chung emphasized, “The United States and Sri Lanka share a long history of partnership built on mutual respect and shared values. Together, we have worked on strengthening democratic institutions, promoting sustainable economic growth, and preserving cultural heritage, such as the Thuparama Image House. Through initiatives like the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, on behalf of the American people, we continue to help Sri Lanka protect its heritage, promote sustainable tourism, and attract global visitors to explore its historical and cultural richness.”
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, who attended the ceremony, remarked, “The United States, through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, once again demonstrates its commitment to preserving Sri Lanka’s cultural treasures. This collaboration strengthens our bond and reflects the U.S. dedication to preserving not only Sri Lanka’s heritage but also the connection between our nations.”
The Thuparama Image House, constructed in the 12th century as part of the Polonnaruwa Kingdom, is a monumental site with a distinctive vaulted brick roof and stunning stucco decorations. This historical gem has suffered damage over time due to environmental factors, and the preservation project aims to prevent further deterioration while raising awareness about its cultural and historical significance.
For over 23 years, the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has supported cultural preservation projects in more than 140 countries globally. In Sri Lanka, since 2001, the U.S. has collaborated with local archaeologists, historians, and faith communities on 17 significant cultural preservation initiatives, funded by $1.5 million from the American people. These projects include the conservation of the Rajagala Buddhist forest monastery, the preservation of collections at the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum, and the restoration of the Batticaloa Dutch Fort. Most recently, the U.S. has supported the preservation of the Kandyan Kings’ Palace and Archaeology Museum, located within the Sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic complex. Beyond land-based efforts, the U.S. is also helping to protect the Godawaya shipwreck—the oldest known shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region—off the coast of Hambantota.
Cultural heritage stands as a powerful reminder of humanity’s shared history and contributions. Through its preservation efforts, the United States shows deep respect for diverse cultures around the world. From restoring ancient structures to conserving rare manuscripts, safeguarding vital archaeological sites, and documenting disappearing traditions, AFCP projects protect invaluable heritage. AFCP initiatives preserve history, strengthen civil society by fostering unity and dialogue, support good governance through transparency and accountability, and promote political and economic stability by generating jobs, income, and sustainable growth.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said yesterday that the government would proceed with both the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, because the government could not achieve its goal by increasing the retirement ages of a section of the judges.
The Attorney-at-Law declared that the government would go ahead with both Bills, whatever the obstacles. The Minister was responding to The Island query whether the government would go ahead with the Judicature (Amendment) Bill that hadn’t been so far challenged in the Supreme Court, pending the decision on the controversial 22nd Amendment facing tough legal challenge.
Nanayakkara emphasised the importance of the enactment of both Bills. The 22nd Amendment seeks to increase the retirement ages of Supreme Court judges to 67 from 65 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. The Judicature (Amendment) Bill seeks to increase the retirement ages of the High Court judges to 63 from 61, and that of the District court judges and and Magistrates to 62.
Minister Nanayakkara said that the enactment of both Bills simultaneously would make a significant contribution to improve the overall situation, particularly dealing with a backlog of 1.1 million cases.
Joint Opposition and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), too, acknowledged that petitions against the Judicature (Amendment) Bill were yet to be filed.
U.S. Ambassador-designate Eric Meyer arrived in Colombo on the evening of August 22, 2026, to assume duties as his country’s next Ambassador to Sri Lanka., the embassy said.
Ambassador-designate Meyer expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve as the 29th U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, stating: “It is an honour to represent the United States in Sri Lanka. I look forward to building on the strong foundation between our two democracies to advance a U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership that creates new opportunities for American businesses, furthers our shared security interests, and delivers greater prosperity for both Americans and Sri Lankans.”
Prior to his assignment in Sri Lanka, he served as Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., at the U.S. Mission to Norway and, before that, as Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the Department of State.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Joint Opposition yesterday questioned Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara’s recent declaration that a referendum wouldn’t be held to decide the fate of the 22 Amendment.
Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris took exception to Nanayakkara’s statement. Addressing the media at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Flower Road Office, Prof. Peiris said that the Supreme Court was still in the process of receiving petitions against the 22n Amendment to the Constitution.
In fact, petitions could be filed over a period of two weeks from the day the amendment bill was presented to parliament, Prof. Peiris said. Minister Nanayakkara tabled the bill on 18 August.
The convenor of the Joint Opposition asked how Minister Nanayakkara predicted that there wouldn’t be a referendum even before the end of the two week period allocated for the public to submit petitions. The Supreme Court decision would be made known to the Speaker within three weeks, Prof. Peiris said, declaring that the Justice Minister shouldn’t consider the Supreme Court as a rubber stamp of the government.
The former parliamentarian emphasized that the NPP government couldn’t under any circumstances intervene in the process undertaken by the Supreme Court. Referring to the growing number of petitions filed against the 22 Amendment, Prof. Peiris said that all petitioners agreed that the matter should be decided at a referendum.
Prof. Peiris alleged that the Justice Minister ruling out a referendum was contempt of court. He reiterated the call for all sitting Supreme Court judges to hear the petitions. Commenting on three Amendments before the Supreme Court namely the 22 Amendment to extend the retirement ages of superior court judges, Judicature (Amendment) Bill to extend the retirement ages of High Court, District Court and Magistrate court judges and amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, Prof. Peiris alleged that the government was creating an environment to divide the available Supreme Court judges to deal with all three, simultaneously.
Prof. Peiris said that this was done deliberately to manipulate the process to facilitate the government initiative. Although the Supreme Court consists of 17 judges, including the Chief Justice, four vacancies remained for several months.
The ex-minister appreciated the clergy representing all faiths declaring opposition to the 22 Amendment.
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