Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka and the Netherlands 
Sri Lanka and the Netherlands share a colonial history that began in 1658, when Sri Lanka (then known as Ceylon) fell from Portuguese into Dutch hands, and ended in 1796 when the VOC had to surrender control to the British. During the almost 150 years of Dutch presence in Sri Lanka, the Dutch left numerous examples of material and immaterial heritage: Roman-Dutch law, words, architecture, sunken ships, waterways and so forth.

The Netherlands is increasingly subjecting its colonial past to a critical examination. Sri Lankan society today strongly reflects an historical awareness. Art and culture have strong roots in the past and can connect in inspirational ways.

From traditional to contemporary movements
Traditional Sri Lankan music, dance and theatre have their roots in several ethnic and religious traditions and customs, which were influenced by Europeans during colonial times. These traditional expressions have evolved in contemporary forms of art. Contemporary literature and theatre are often strongly politically motivated.

More recently, fashion design has also gained ground in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan art and culture sector, especially contemporary art, does not receive a lot of (financial) government support. However, there are encouraging new (private) initiatives such as the foundation of the Academy of Design and the Contemporary and Modern Art Museum, both in Colombo. Also, the Dutch embassy in Colombo is available to support the local art and culture community in their projects and initiatives and to connect them with suitable (Dutch) partners. Read more… 

Information & advice
Would you like to receive more information regarding opportunities for cultural exchange with Sri Lanka? Feel free to contact our Sri Lanka advisor Stella Roos Peters with your questions for tailored advice.

Advisor

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Sri Lanka at a glance

PlaceArtist
1 registered activities in 2023
featuring 1 artists
Calendar
Number of activities
12 months (2023)
Discipline
Activities by
discipline in 2023
1Heritage  100%
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Frequently asked questions

Where can I find funding within the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, there are various funding opportunities available for artists, cultural practitioners and organisations with international ambitions. You can find a first overview on our Funding Support page. For a more extensive overview, see our Cultural Mobility Funding Guide.  

Heritage

International Heritage Cooperation is part of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The embassies of the Netherlands in the partner countries have a budget for supporting local cultural heritage projects. DutchCulture manages a Matching Fund. Dutch legal entities (companies and registered freelancers) are able to apply for partial funding for an international heritage cooperation project.  

Where can I find funding within Sri Lanka?

Unfortunately there are limited funding options available when it comes to culture. The embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka & Maldives has a small cultural budget available. Follow them on their socials to keep up to date on possible opportunities. Additionally, there are occasional opportunities at the Goethe Institute, Alliance Française, or the British Council.

What rules and regulations do I have to consider (visa, social security, taxation)?

Visa

For any information on visa, please consult the website of the Sri Lankan Government.

Social security

The website of the Dutch Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) offers a lot of information on social security when working internationally, with specific information for artists. The information is available in five languages.

Taxation

As artists are highly mobile these days, there are specific rules to avoid that one would not pay taxes. Everyone needs to pay income taxes, but when you have earned your income in different countries in which country should you pay? And how can you avoid double taxation?

The Netherlands has tax treaties with a number of countries. In many cases, this means that the taxes you pay in one of the countries are deductible from the taxes you owe in another country, or that you are exempt from paying certain taxes. Here you can find an overview of the countries with which the Netherlands has a treaty.

How can I promote my work in Sri Lanka?  

It is a good idea to engage local publicists, that have an understanding of your art discipline, audience and region. The cultural department of the Dutch Embassy in Colombo can help you find a network or decide to promote your work through their channels.

Make sure to contact the embassy to let them know about your projects. Do not forget to create a My DC account, where you can add your activities to our Cultural Database. This way you will be included in our database and become part of our network.

How can I find a residency, a venue at which to perform or an exhibition space?

Through the DutchCulture database, you can find out which artists from the Netherlands have worked at which venues, and start your research there. Go to the search icon on the upper left corner of the website, and search by discipline, country, and city.

For residencies, DutchCulture's TransArtists is a great research tool. In order to successfully build an international career, and in order to find sustainable partners in a country, it is always wise to spend more than a few days somewhere. Residencies, which can last from a couple of weeks up to several months, can help you achieve this.

How can I keep up to date with any news concerning cultural work in Sri Lanka?

The embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka is active on Facebook. Follow them to stay up-to-date about the latest news, new opportunities, and events.

Are there specific things to keep in mind when it comes to safety in Sri Lanka?

For the most recent travel advice to Sri Lanka, please see the website of the Dutch government (in Dutch).