Godawaya shipwreck exhibition opens in Colombo showcasing 2,100-year maritime heritage
COLOMBO – US Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, on Wednesday (3) inaugurated the Godawaya Shipwreck Exhibition at the BMICH in Colombo.
Exhibition, staged in collaboration with the Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of Central Cultural Fund, marks the culmination of the multi-year Godawaya Shipwreck Project, funded through the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). The initiative focused on documenting and conserving artefacts from the oldest known wooden shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region, dating back more than 2,100 years.
Speaking at the launch, Ambassador Chung said maritime heritage was a story of connection, and that today’s US–Sri Lanka partnership continues that legacy. “From ports to people, we are Indo-Pacific partners working together to safeguard security, ensure open commerce, and protect the futures of our nations,” she said, adding that the Godawaya shipwreck is a reminder that secure sea lanes have powered prosperity for centuries and remain vital to both American and Sri Lankan interests today.
The exhibition, open to the public from September 3–5, features pottery, grinding stones, glass and metal ingots, and carnelian beads recovered from the wreck. These artefacts highlight Sri Lanka’s historic role as a hub of Indian Ocean trade and cultural exchange, while underscoring the enduring importance of maritime security to regional prosperity.
Minister Senevi praised the collaboration, noting that the partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States has been vital in safeguarding Sri Lanka heritage, not only in Godawaya but across the country, said the project shows the strength of international cooperation in preserving history for future generations.
Dr. Nilan Cooray, Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, added that the exhibition and symposium were “not just celebrations of the past” but also opportunities to inspire future generations by showcasing the island’s long history of connection and exchange.
Launched in 2022, the Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project safeguarded nearly 200 artefacts, introduced advanced 3D modelling techniques for site surveys, and produced a comprehensive 3D model of the wreck site. The artefacts will be permanently housed at the Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, alongside an AFCP-supported education program bringing the shipwreck’s story to local schools.
Since 2001, the AFCP has supported more than 1,300 cultural preservation projects worldwide, including 17 in Sri Lanka valued at over $1.3 million. The MAU, established under the Central Cultural Fund in 2001, continues to play a leading role in protecting Sri Lanka’s underwater cultural heritage through research, conservation, and training.
The exhibition runs at the BMICH until September 5, before the artefacts are transferred to Galle for permanent display.
-ENCL
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