Since small days, we were taught what cultural heritage is. Local traditions, languages, festivals, traditional art, crafts, historical sites and so much more come under cultural heritage. Sri Lanka, without a doubt, is a country that has a beautiful and a rich cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage is the fingerprint of a nation. It’s a unique identity solely inherited by a county and its people. Our country has a long cultural history, traditional dances, clothing, foods, crafts and so much more passed down for generations and still celebrated.
Preserving it is important because cultural heritage teaches us values, customs and traditions unique to our identity as Sri Lankans. It connects us to our history and ancestors and create a sense of belonging. And most of all, it’s a great driver for tourism.
However, in modern day, our cultural heritage are experiencing the impact of westernisation. We see this influence mainly in our younger generations on how they seem to withdraw from our culture and identity and even find it “embarrassing” at times. They adopt Western fashion, lifestyles, and even lingo to keep up with trends.
Westernisation, in essence, is not bad at all. As a society, we should advance, but we should do it in a way that does not erase or devalue our own cultural heritage.
From what I’ve observed, Sri Lankans overseas appreciate and value our culture and heritage more than the people living within the country. Locals have gotten so used to our beautiful heritage that they’ve taken it for granted, thinking it will always be here even if we don’t value and protect it. For example, when I wanted to learn how to weave, I saw the only classes available were all the way in Galle because of how much traditional crafts are practically dying.
If we don’t preserve our cultural heritage, who will? Certainly not outsiders. We need to stop taking our cultural heritage for granted and start being proud and protecting it. Because this is what makes us Sri Lankans. This is what makes us unique.
Written & Design By: –
Rtr. Kawindra Wickramasinghe
(Junior Blog Team Member 2025-26)
