The SAARC Cultural Center of Sri Lanka organized a captivating lecture on the 28^th of July 2023 in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya.

The event was held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya. The entire event was broadcast via Zoom, adopting a hybrid mode for both local and international participants.

The lecture was conducted by Professor Osmund Bopearachchi, Emeritus Director of the French National Center for Scientific Research on the theme "Contradictions in the Texts and Confusions in the Iconography:  Revisiting the theme of the Great Departure of Bodhisattva Siddhartha in the Ancient Buddhist Art of India and Sri Lanka”.

Mrs. Renuka Ekanayake, the Director of the SAARC Cultural Center of Sri Lanka, Dr. Bina Gandhi Deori, the Deputy Director of the SAARC Cultural Center of Sri Lanka, and Senior Professor Anura Manatunga of the Department of Archaeology addressed the gathering.

An interactive session was also conducted after the lecture with engaging discussions, allowing participants to deeper appreciate the cultural heritage and understand the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Present at the occasion were Dr. Sriyani Hathurusinghe, the Head of the Department of Archaeology, Chair/Senior Professor Prishanta Gunawardane, Professor Uda Hettige, Senior Lecturer Dr. Senarath Disanayake of the Department of Archaeology, academic staff members of the Department of Archaeology, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities, staff of the SAARC Cultural Center of Sri Lanka, and undergraduates of the Department of Archaeology and the Department of History.