• Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project concludes 

A unique milestone for Sri Lanka’s maritime archaeological zeitgeist took place on 3 September – The Godawaya Shipwreck Exhibition and Symposium. Officialised by US Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, this exhibition marked the culmination of a collaborative endeavour between Sri Lanka and the United States to preserve an ancient cultural heritage found deep below the ocean’s surface.

The Godawaya Shipwreck, found off the coast between Hambantota and Ambalantota, carves its place in history as the oldest wooden shipwreck discovered so far not only in the Indian Ocean, but also the Asia-Pacific region. Over 2100 years old, this shipwreck and the artefacts found within – including pottery shards, copper ingots and grinding stones – have become an icon and a reminder of how invaluable history and heritage are also found beyond land and the human domain of dwelling.

While the exhibition at the BMICH lasted from 3-5 September, the priceless artefacts recovered from the Godawaya Shipwreck will be permanently housed in the Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, preserving the marvellous discoveries of the past for viewing, study and research by custodians of the future. The entire Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project was made possible by the research efforts of the Central Cultural Fund’s Maritime Archaeology Unit Sri Lanka and the sponsorship of the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.

Dr. Sunil Senevi highlighted the prime impact of this event, stating: “This is a significant moment, not only for our ministry, but for all those who are passionate about the preservation of history, culture and the shared heritage of humanity.”

Retracing the past

The event, attended by relevant officials, ambassadors, diving enthusiasts, and schoolchildren, brought to light the vital, yet largely unexplored potential of marine heritage. Discovered in 2008, the Godawaya Shipwreck lay 33 metres below the ocean’s surface, undocumented for centuries and thereby left vulnerable to weathering and looting by those who were unaware of the site’s cultural significance.

Senior maritime archaeologist at the Central Cultural Fund, Rasika Muthukumarana, elaborated on the perseverance and calculated efforts that went into the preservation process of the site and its retrieved artefacts. This process was thereby siloed into three components encompassing exploration, documentation and dissemination.

The discovered shipwreck had its origins investigated under the Maritime Archaeology Unit’s conservation laboratory, involving digital documentation and 3D modelling, and uncovering the story of a 2000-year-old history.

Finally, the symposium itself played a role in raising public awareness about the shipwreck and wider maritime archaeology, ultimately protecting these artefacts of cultural heritage by widening their visibility and accessibility. Dr. Sunil Senevi spoke further on these contributions made by the Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project. 

“Through the research and conservation work we undertake today to interpret and preserve this site, we are not merely celebrating the legacy of our ancestors,” he said. “We are making history accessible to the world and to generations to come.” 

Therefore, this project and the greater efforts of the stakeholders involved allow us to discover our connections with the world and the past.

At a crossroads of culture and trade

The evidence traced from the Godawaya Shipwreck only underscored how invaluable maritime cultural heritage and archaeology is for an island nation such as Sri Lanka. An emphasis was made on how endeavours to conserve archaeological finds underwater is as tantamount to conserving those on land.

Central Cultural Fund Director General Dr. Nilan Cooray spoke on the motivations behind this symposium, stating: “For centuries, the sea has served as a corridor of exchange, a pathway that brought people, groups, ideas and cultures to our shores. And just as we honour the stories carved in stone obtained from our temples, so too should we honour the stories beneath our waters.”

Dr. Sunil Senevi added to this, elaborating on Sri Lanka’s pioneering research: “For many years, the focus of heritage preservation and interpretation in Sri Lanka was centred on land-based monuments and sites. But today, I’m proud to say that we have moved beyond those traditional boundaries. With a pioneering effort of the Maritime Archaeological Unit, Sri Lanka is now among the few countries in Asia that actively research, conserve and manage underwater cultural heritage, and we do so in accordance with international standards.” 

The historical tale behind the shipwreck speaks for Sri Lanka’s reputation that has lasted for aeons, as a flourishing hub of trade and commerce, with grand blue ocean tides bringing prosperity from far and wide to its shores. “The ocean, as we all know, has never been a boundary. It has always been a bridge. The discoveries at Godawaya remind us that centuries ago Sri Lanka played a central role in the maritime networks of the Indian Ocean,” said Dr. Sunil Senevi. “And this event stands as a shining example of how international partnership can come together to protect and celebrate heritage that belongs to all humankind.”

Sri Lanka’s continuing legacy as a hub and network for the Indian Ocean and beyond thereby justifies the spotlight it takes in international diplomacy even in modern times.

An enduring partnership

The Indo-Pacific collaboration created through the Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project is yet another achievement in Sri Lanka’s bilateral partnerships on the global stage. US Ambassador Julie Chung’s words celebrated the Sri Lanka-US partnership as one that is lasting and dedicated to upholding security, cooperation and humanity. “As Indo-Pacific partners, together we safeguard security and open commerce. For centuries, safe sea lanes have powered prosperity and cultural exchange. And today, they remain essential not only for global trade, but also for the security and livelihoods of the American and Sri Lankan people. The Godawaya Shipwreck is not only about the past, it's about what binds us together in the present, and how we prepare for the future.”

Within the past 24 years, the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation has supported over 17 projects to preserve heritage in Sri Lanka. The Godawaya Shipwreck therefore, comes in as yet another step in an enduring partnership between two countries, ensuring regional security and mutual prosperity.

“These projects reflect our enduring belief that preserving cultural heritage strengthens identity, inspires pride, and builds bridges of understanding between nations,” Chung added. “A nation's heritage is one of its greatest treasures, and I am proud that the United States and Sri Lanka stand together in preserving it.”

Similar sentiments of openness and connection were reflected by Dr. Senevi, affirming the mutual goodwill of both countries. “This (project’s) remarkable progress is a testament to the passion of our experts, the strategic leadership of the Central Cultural Fund, and most importantly, the support of our international partners, particularly the Embassy of the United States of America. I firmly believe that the Godawaya Project will inspire our citizens to see underwater heritage not as something hidden beneath the ocean waves, but as a living, breathing part of our cultural story. Let this partnership be a beacon for the future, opening new avenues for research, cooperation and the continued celebration of Sri Lanka's maritime legacy,” the Minister said.