Sri Lanka donates traditional Raksha Masks to FAO Museum in Rome to mark first anniversary
Marking the first anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Museum at the FAO headquarters in Rome, the Embassy of Sri Lanka donated three traditional wooden Raksha masks to the museum on October 16, 2026. The initiative was carried out as a gift in support of cultural heritage preservation, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the National Craft Council (NCC) of Sri Lanka.
Mask making stands as one of Sri Lanka’s distinctive folk-art traditions rooted in ritual, storytelling and community ceremonies. Passed down through generations, this craft features vibrant colors, intricate carvings and rich symbolism, holding significant value in traditional agrarian rituals where they were believed to protect crops from disease, drought, and pests.
The donated collection features three specific masks crafted by master craftsman R.M.L. Ravindra of Ambalangoda, a second-generation practitioner of the traditional family art. These include the Cobra Demon Mask (Naga Raksha), which represents protection, fertility, wisdom, and guardianship, reflecting the traditional association of snakes with water resources, rainfall and agricultural fertility; the Peacock Demon Mask (Mayura Raksha), which symbolizes beauty, prosperity and good fortune, highlighting the relationship between wildlife, farming landscapes and agricultural biodiversity; and the Fire Demon Mask (Ginidal Raksha), characterized by flame-like carvings, which represents the power of fire to ward off evil and purify, recalling the traditional practice of clearing fields before cultivation and symbolizing renewal and the beginning of a new farming season.
The donation was accompanied by a video message highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The video featured the Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to the FAO, Satya Rodrigo; the Head of Outreach and Promotions at the FAO, Clara Velez Fraga; and the Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral.
This contribution reflects Sri Lanka’s longstanding partnership with the FAO and its commitment to sharing its agrarian heritage and cultural traditions with the international community. Through this initiative, the Embassy sought to offer visitors from around the world an insight into the deep connections between nature, ritual, and farming in Sri Lankan life. (Newswire)
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