On 06 December 2022, in the framework of the events dedicated to celebration of the anniversary of the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) in Saint Petersburg, a special ceremony was arranged, in the course of which Mr. Vagram Zakharyan, Honorary Consul of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in the Northwestern Federal District of the Russian Federation, presented to the Museum a number of exhibit items on behalf of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia.

Among the items were several masks used during the theater performances and historical rituals, as well as a Batik Banner, depicting colourful Perahera festival, which were originally received by the Embassy from the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka. The presented masks are Gamaya kolama, which reflects the ancient villager in Sri Lankan society, Polis kolama, which is molded the role of policeman, Ginidal raksha, which depicts demon and is meant to ward off evil and Gara yaka, which has been used for decades as a token of good fortune in homes and business.
The donation was received by Prof. Andrei Golovnev, Director of the Museum, and Mr. Vagram Zakharyan read out a message from Prof. Janitha A. Liyanage, H. E. the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation, who appreciated the work of the staff members of the Department of South and Southwest Asia for bringing to the light of the world new discoveries of Sri Lankan past.
The Embassy hopes that the donated items will take a rightful place in the rich collection of the famous Museum, which shares with the world the history, culture, heritage, arts and traditions of world nations.

Photos by Mr. Levon Ayvazyan