The Godawaya Shipwreck Exhibition at the BMICH in Colombo was inaugurated today by US Ambassador Julie Chung and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, together with the Central Cultural Fund’s Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU).
According to the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the event marked the culmination of the multi-year Godawaya Shipwreck Project, funded through the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a US–Sri Lanka partnership to preserve the oldest known wooden shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region, dating back over 2,100 years.
By documenting and conserving artifacts from this ancient trading vessel, the initiative demonstrates how the two countries are working together to safeguard heritage, strengthen Indo-Pacific ties, and build a foundation for shared security and open commerce.
Ambassador Chung underscored the project’s significance, stating: “Maritime heritage is a story of connection — and today’s U.S.–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. 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 will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on 04th and 5th September. Visitors can explore artifacts recovered from the shipwreck, including pottery, grinding stones, glass and metal ingots, and carnelian beads. These discoveries not only reveal the vessel’s role as a trading ship but also underscore Sri Lanka’s historic position as a hub of Indian Ocean trade and cultural exchange — and the continuing importance of maritime security to regional prosperity.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, said: “The partnership between Sri Lanka and the United States has been vital in safeguarding our heritage, not only in Godawaya but across the country. This project shows the strength of international cooperation in preserving history for future generations. I extend my sincere gratitude to the U.S. Embassy and the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation for their steadfast support. Together, we have ensured that this treasure of Sri Lanka’s history will remain accessible to our people and to the world.”
The Central Cultural Fund’s Director General, Dr. Nilan Cooray, said: “This exhibition and symposium are not just celebrations of the past; they are opportunities to inspire the future. The artifacts displayed here tell a story of connection, trade, and cultural exchange that transcends borders and time. I invite all Sri Lankans and visitors to explore this exhibition and discover the profound history that unites us.”
The Godawaya Shipwreck Preservation Project, initiated in 2022, has achieved remarkable milestones in maritime archaeology. Through AFCP funding, the MAU has safeguarded nearly 200 artifacts unearthed from the wreck, employed advanced 3D modeling techniques for site surveying, and developed a comprehensive 3D model of the shipwreck site. These efforts have revolutionized maritime archaeology in Sri Lanka and set a global standard for underwater cultural heritage preservation. The artifacts will be permanently housed at the Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle, with an AFCP-supported education program bringing the story of the shipwreck to local schools. (Newswire)
