DOCUMENTATION AND CARE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF BATTICALOA DISTRICT: ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE UNIT AT THE LIBRARY OF EASTERN UNIVERSITY, SRI LANKA.

Documentation and care of priceless cultural heritage of mankind and preserving those collections of intellectual and cultural heritage become not only an academic commitment but also the moral responsibility of librarians. Library of Eastern University is the heart of the University and it plays an eminent role by providing resources and services not only for the staff and students but also for the community as well. Therefore, this study focuses on cultural heritage of Batticaloa district and the objectives of the study were to explore the cultural and heritage materials or objects of Batticaloa district and documentation and care of them for present and future generations by conserve and preserving them and establishment of a Cultural Heritage Unit at the Library of Eastern University. The data were collected through observation, focus group interview and objects survey. The collected data in the area of Batticaloa district comprises the rare objects or materials, antiquities, cultural and historical sites. Those collections are enriched with valuable and unique cultural, historical, religious and archeological value. The Library of Eastern University consider about the documentation and care of immense cultural and historical heritage of the Eastern region especially Batticaloa district. The Library has planned to maintain and sustains these unique, valuable and historical records of cultural heritage through the conservation and preservation practices the benefit of the both present and future. And for that, the Cultural Heritage Unit was established to exhibit those priceless collections and to document and care of them for the benefit of the community as whole.