 Dr.
Sembukuttiarachilage Roland Silva has provided spiritual support for conserving
historical monuments and sites since being named the first International
President of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) from
Asia.
Dr. Silva studied at
the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in the
1950s. At the same time, he completed studies in the Royal Institute of
British Architects program. While in London, he also studied archaeology
at the University of London's Institute of Archaeology. He then continued
his study of preservation and restoration at the University of Rome and
other institutions. In 1988, he was awarded a doctor's degree by the University
of Leiden in the Netherlands for his research into religious architecture
in Sri Lanka. During this time, he has developed a basis for academic
theories regarding the conservation of Asian historical sites. Dr. Silva
has furthered historical insight and deepened artistic and cultural understanding.
Further, he has created the practical underpinnings for the science of
conservation by creating scientific methods and the appropriate conservation
techniques.
Starting in the 1960s,
he was involved in many activities of UNESCO and its advisory body, ICOMOS.
He has performed a leading role as both an advocate and a man of action
in the field for the conservation of cultural sites, not only in Sri Lanka,
but also throughout the Asia. The result has been his selection as the
International President of ICOMOS for three consecutive terms.
Dr. Silva has actively
encouraged a greater involvement on the part of ICOMOS in Asia, and established
a methodology for operations at archaeological excavation sites that encourages
the understanding of the local population in historical site preservation
and their participation in the work. In particular, he planned the Cultural
Triangle Project in Sri Lanka, the largest Asian project conducted as
part of UNESCO's campaign to protect the world's cultural legacy. It is
typical of the broad scale of his endeavors that he has been involved
in everything from creating a fund for financial resources to providing
guidance in the conservation work at individual sites.
Dr. Silva also has
provided guidance as a UNESCO Consultant for historical conservation to
the governments of Thailand, Bangladesh, Maldives, Cambodia, and Pakistan.
He has worked tirelessly to expand the number of Asian historical sites
registered as world cultural heritage sites and contributed to the development
of cultural tourism based on these cultural assets.
In addition to these
activities, it is a well-known fact that he also utilized his knowledge
to serve as an editorial consultant for Sir Banister Fletcher's "A
History of Architecture" for the southern and southeastern areas
of Asia.
Dr. Silva's great achievement
has been the formulation of a sustainable policy for conserving historical
sites that harmonizes the contradictory aspects of historical conservation
and the creation of assets for tourism. He has provided dreams and hope
for the future for many Asian countries and their people through the utilization
of their historical assets. His contribution to the activities of conserving
historical assets and monuments, not only in Sri Lanka, but also in Asia
and throughout the world, make him a worthy recipient of the Arts and
Culture Prize of the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prizes. |
