The Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists (SLCA) had the honour and the privilege of welcoming high-ranking officials from the Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History in China on 10th December 2024. Respectful Mrs. Zhou Ling, the deputy director of the Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History in China, led the Chinese delegation while Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa, the president of the Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists, led the SLCA team. The Chinese delegation also included the following members:

Respectful Hu Yan, Director, Liaison Office of The Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History
Respectful Fan Yu, Secretary, Discipline Inspection Commission for The Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History
Respectful Ma Hongjun, Deputy President, Yunnan Literature Research Institute
Respectful Yang Jin, Director, Art Exhibition Department of Yunnan Literature Research Institute Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and other leaders personally initiated the Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History at the outset of the People’s Republic of China, with the aim of uniting and organizing elderly intellectuals. The purpose of the visit was to understand and exchange ideas about the mechanism and practices of archaeological and cultural management in Sri Lanka and China.
The Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists considers this a historic event in the history of Sino-Sri Lankan relations that started at least in the 1st century AD. To our understanding, this is the first-ever visit of such a high-ranking foreign delegate to visit the SLCA professional body. Delegates of both parties expressed a desire to explore future collaboration for mutual benefits. The SLCA expresses its gratitude to Dr. Han Fiona, International Liaison Officer, The Yunnan Research Institute of Culture and History, for communicating this visit.




Dr. Wijerathne Bohingamuwa
President/ Sri Lanka Council of Archaeologists