<P><U><B>The Mandate</B></U></P>
<P>Established by legislation in 1952, the Arts Council of Sri Lanka was given the mandate to</P>
<UL>
<LI>develop greater knowledge of arts
<LI>increase the accessibility of the arts to the public
<LI>improve standards of execution of the fine arts
<LI>promote arts and indigenous crafts
<LI>advise and co-operate with government and other bodies </LI></UL>
<P>The organization serves community arts, amateur arts, music, theatre, dance, cultural animation, heritage, folk or traditional culture, writing, magazine publishing and translation.</P>
<P>The Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture
<LI>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture
<LI>develops national arts/cultural policies
<LI>implements national arts/cultural policies
<LI>evaluates national arts/cultural policies
<LI>conducts research in the arts/culture
<LI>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture
<LI>has responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges
<LI>organizes and manages cultural activities or events
<LI>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture
<LI>publishes books and/or magazines
<LI>supports annual literary, drama, dance, music and puppetry festivals. </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>The Governing Body</B></U></P>
<P>The governing body is in charge of the planning of the annual program of activities, the appointment of panel members and the implementation and supervision of the annual program of work. The five members of the governing body (president and four executive members) are appointed for a three year term by the Minister of Cultural Affairs. The governing body appoints panel members. Presently there are 16 panels consisting of 10 people each. There are legal specifications for membership. The members are selected for their specialization in different cultural fields.</P>
<P><U><B>The Staff</B></U></P>
<P>The three staff members are not public servants and do not come from the field. The chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body. The organization does not have regional offices.</P>
<P><U><B>Relationship with Government</B></U></P>
<P>The Ministry of Cultural Affairs (with its Department of Cultural Affairs) is the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship.</P>
<P>Although it is independent, the Council works in close collaboration and with financial assistance from the Ministry. Accountability is ensured by annual accounts, which are audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government.</P>
<P>The government</P>
<UL>
<LI>appoints the members of the governing body
<LI>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities
<LI>establishes the various funding programs of the organization
<LI>determines the amount of funding the organization receives </LI></UL>
<P>The Arts Council</P>
<UL>
<LI>determines its own policies
<LI>selects its staff members
<LI>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities </LI></UL>
<P>The allocation of the organizations budget to various programs and activities is in part determined by government and in part by the organization. The Council cooperates with other independent funding bodies.</P>
<P><U><B>Budget and Revenue Sources</B></U></P>
<P>The Council was set up with an initial endowment from the government. The organizations total budget in the current year is RS 8 423 900 (or $ 112,318 U.S. dollars). 95 % of that amount is provided by the national government from the general revenues or culture budget, 3 % by private sector contributions, 1% interest on investments/endowments and 1% by sponsorship. Contributions are encouraged by tax benefits.</P>
<P>Over the last five years, funding from government has increased, while funding from non-governmental sources has decreased.</P>
<P><U><B>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</B></U></P>
<P>Most financial support programs are organized by discipline or sector.</P>
<P>The funds can be used for :</P>
<UL>
<LI>creation
<LI>research and development
<LI>production, presentation and exhibition
<LI>publication
<LI>deficit reduction </LI></UL>
<P><U><B>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</B></U></P>
<P>Applications are assessed by the Council with the assistance of panels. Panel members are specialists in their respective fields. Recipients of funding are selected based on previous performance or the work program of different panels.</P>
<P><U><B>Unique or Special Features of the Organization</B></U></P>
<P>A special feature of the Arts Council of Sri Lanka is the absence of political interference in the appointment of panels and the conduct of activities.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Challenge</B></U></P>
<P>Lack of resources is the greatest current challenge, some panels being not as active as others.</P>
<P><U><B>Greatest Current Strength</B></U></P>
<P>The availability of specialists in different fields who render their services voluntarily is the organization's greatest strenth.</P>