Sri Lanka | World Heritage Explorer

Sri Lanka has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1980. With 8 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Sri Lanka as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 6, 1980

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1983-1989

Total of Mandate Years: 6

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka (8)

Cultural: 6 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa · Cultural
Ancient City of Sigiriya · Cultural
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka · Natural
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications · Cultural
Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple · Cultural
Sacred City of Anuradhapura · Cultural
Sacred City of Kandy · Cultural
Sinharaja Forest Reserve · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (5)

Sri Lanka’s Tea Cultural Landscape · submitted: August 19, 2025
Buddhist Meditation Monasteries of Ancient Sri Lanka · submitted: June 4, 2024
Ancient Ariyakara Viharaya in the Rajagala Archaeological Reserve · submitted: February 27, 2020
Seruwila to Sri Pada (Sacred Foot Print Shrine), Ancient pilgrim route along the Mahaweli river in Sri Lanka · submitted: April 29, 2010
Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara · submitted: October 30, 2006

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Sri Lanka

Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Southern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

Population (2024): 21,916,000

Land Area: 61,860 km²

Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Sri Lanka

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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