“International Cultural Exchange Of Drumming And Dance Across The Indian Ocean”, which is an international cultural exchange workshop of drumming and dancing, organized by the Department of Fine Arts, University of Kelaniya in collaboration with the ICTMD-Sri Lanka National Committee, is being held from 03^rd to 6^th of October 2024, at the K-14 Auditorium, Faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya. The 4-day workshop was followed by a concert on the 04^th of October 2024, at K-14 Auditorium, Faculty of Humanities, bringing together Jaffna Tamil, Sinhalese, Singaporean, and South Indian artists.

The main goal of this international event is to make a platform for staff and students to share their cultural experience and creativity with world experts in dance and drumming, to learn from each other, and to build a bridge to connect north, northeastern, and other ethnic communities within Sri Lanka and across the Indian ocean. Fine arts are the most powerful tool for reconciliation, harmony, healing, and empowering marginalized communities. Such events would open up valuable research avenues for undergraduates and faculty members for intercultural exchange and international collaborations.

This was a cultural dialogue between South Asian relatives and the world and was a great opportunity for undergraduates of the Department of Fine Arts, University of Kelaniya to showcase Sri Lankan traditional dance and drumming culture and to learn from international experts who join the event from South India, Singapore, and Jaffna.

The event was graced by the participation of the Honourable Guests including, Senior Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, Dr. Sudath Senarath, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and Heads of the departments. The event also saw the participation of the staff and the students of the Department of Fine Arts.