Fifteenth Meeting of the SAARC Cultural Centre Governing Board Convenes in Colombo

Kathmandu: The Fifteenth Meeting of the Governing Board of the SAARC Cultural Centre was held from August 19–20, 2025, at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka, under the Chairmanship of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka attended the meeting in person, while officials from India, Maldives, and Pakistan participated virtually. The outgoing Chairperson, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, handed over the Chairmanship to Nagtsho Dorji from Bhutan, who will serve for the next two years.

The Governing Board of the SAARC Cultural Centre comprises senior representatives from all Member States and the SAARC Secretariat. The newly elected Chairperson, Nagtsho Dorji, Director at the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, Ministry of Home Affairs of Bhutan, will lead the Board. Other members include Md. Mizanur Rahman from Bangladesh, Priyanka Chandra from India, Mohamed Shahuruzziyad from Maldives, Dr. Suresh Suras Shrestha from Nepal, Asad Rehman Gilani from Pakistan, and Prince Senadeera from Sri Lanka.

The SAARC Secretariat is represented by Irosha Cooray, while Sri Lanka is further represented by Samantha Pathirana and Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre.

The Governing Board reviewed the Centre’s activities implemented in 2025 and deliberated on the proposed plan for 2026, which includes nine thematic areas for regional cultural collaboration. The recommendations will be forwarded to the upcoming SAARC Programming Committee meeting in Kathmandu for consideration and approval.

Members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the SAARC cultural agenda, fostering intercultural dialogue, and strengthening regional cooperation through shared cultural initiatives.