Project title

Transcending Borders: Cultural Mobility in Motion

Project description

Ganga Rajinee Dissanayaka’s research examines Sri Lankan ivory boxes, jewellery, and statues held in the Rijksmuseum and the Wereldmuseum in the Netherlands. She explores their historical journeys, political entanglements, social impact, and aesthetic value to inform discussions on cultural mobility, provenance, and restitution.

Using a multidisciplinary approach—including material analysis, iconographic interpretation, and object-based study—Dissanayaka uncovers the layered histories of these artefacts. By situating them in their wider historical and cultural settings, she traces their interactions with individuals, communities, and institutions.

Her work not only contributes academically but also has strong social relevance. It addresses colonial legacies in museum collections and supports broader conversations about Sri Lanka’s socio-political past, cultural justice, and ethical heritage management. By engaging with restitution debates, Dissanayaka helps to decolonise museum practices and foster dialogue between Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, promoting reconciliation and shared understanding. Her research ultimately highlights heritage’s vital role in collective memory and social cohesion.

Selected publications

  • Dissanayaka, DMGR. (2025 forthcoming). The Upcountry Repository of Buddhist Art- The Tampita Vihara of Sri Lanka. Samkathana Research Centre and Archive, Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
  • Dissanayaka, DMGR. (2025 forthcoming). Dream – Unfulfilled (Trns).. Self-Revealing Official Biography of Maithreepala Sirisena, The Sixth Executive President of Sri Lanka. Kasthirama Publications.Polonnaruwa
  • Dissanayaka, DMGR. “Teacher’s Guide for Museum Visits: Empowering Student Discovery and Regional Connection”(2024 ). Publisher/Funder: EuroClio – European Association of History Educators and GIZ Sri Lanka (This comprehensive guide aims to empower educators in facilitating meaningful museum visits for students, fostering discovery, and connecting classroom learning with regional contexts. Produced collaboratively by EuroClio and GIZ Sri Lanka, this resource provides valuable insights, practical tips, and engaging activities to enhance students’ museum experiences and deepen their understanding of history and culture.)
  • Dissanayaka,DMGR.(2023). Weapons of persuasion-the global wondering of six Kandyan objects. Lewke’s Cannon: A Vishal And Pollical Dialogue Captured In Gold And Silver. Tambapanni Academic Publishers Colombo. Sri Lanka.
  • Dissanayaka,DMGR.(2023). Weapons Of Persuasion-the global wondering of six Kandyan objects. The Inscription On Lewke’s Cannon As A Window Into The Political World Of Lewke Disawa.Tambapanni Academic Publishers, Colombo.Sri Lanka.
  • Decoding Decorative Motifs. – Visual Perception and Spatial Understanding in Buddhist Image Houses. Arts & Communication. Acc Science Publishing. Singapore. https://accscience.com/journal/AC/2/2/10.36922/ac.2373