Museums as a tool for cultural heritage management in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The general objective of this research paper is to develop an appropriate method to manage the cultural heritage in Sri Lanka through museums. Therefore, this research focuses on identifying museum objects with more narrative strength to exhibit the significance of cultural heritage through museums, promote "the museum visiting culture" in Sri Lanka, develop museum education while understanding the link between objects and the site, and understand the importance of having museum monitoring methods and policies to manage the museums efficiently for the well-being of cultural heritage management in Sri Lanka. As a methodology, a literature survey, participant observation, and interviews were carried out to collect data. The collected data were analyzed through SWOT analysis. Moreover, object domain analysis was conducted for the selected objects in museums through judgmental sampling to identify the narrative strength of the objects. In this research, the concepts of memory, identity, and heritage management were focused. This research highlights the importance of a proper museum monitoring method, the significance of identifying the narrative strength, how to link the exhibits with the site through available ability and resources, and museums’ responsibility to their public and collections. This approach could create a sense of tangible and intangible heritage at the particular site and be directed to contribute experiences for visitors concerning object, cognitive, and social occurrences. This research is directed towards museums as a tool for cultural heritage management in Sri Lanka and will help to develop museum management policies and museum monitoring methods through the memory and identity associated with museum exhibits.