CHDM’s museum work focuses on using the museum as an inclusive space, a discourse, a method and a practice to critically reflect on the past and promote multiple narrative approaches to Sri Lankan history. While it will serve as a cross cutting pillar to absorb other areas of work at CHDM, it will proactively engage with communities, museologists, and other practitioners to foster a community of practice with a longer term goal of furthering the concept of museums and museum practice in Sri Lanka.
Further, looking more narrowly at the museum landscape in Sri Lanka, the Museum Baseline Survey conducted by the Historical Dialogue and Memory Culture Unit in 2018 found that there are more than 120 museums, both state-owned and private in the country. However, they are not seen as spaces for reflection by a majority of the visitors while the pedagogy is often problematic as it tries to promote one dominant narrative overlooking plurality and a multiple perspective approach to history. Generally, museums and exhibitions are seen as passive and static spaces, and not as dynamic ones that could offer a more holistic and multi-sensory experience that could complement knowledge and experiences. Moreover, a majority of museums in Sri Lanka glorify a bygone era while overwhelming the visitor with a plethora of artefacts locked up in cabinets rather than focusing on reflective curation. There are only a handful of museums that address socio-cultural issues while engaging the visitor in an interactive experience.
Programme Lead: Anisha Dias Bandaranaike
Contact mcrplead@chdmlka.org for more information.
