May 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s National Art Gallery is at the centre of concern after a parliamentary disclosure revealed that 42 antique paintings listed in official records cannot currently be accounted for, raising questions over long-term inventory management and the safeguarding of cultural assets.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi informed Parliament on Thursday (21) that discrepancies in the collection were first flagged following a formal stock verification exercise carried out in 2015.
Responding to an oral question in the House, the Minister explained that a verification board had been appointed to examine the gallery’s holdings of paintings and sculptures. The review uncovered inconsistencies between recorded inventory and physical holdings.
According to the official stock register, the National Art Gallery is expected to hold 281 paintings. However, only 239 artworks are currently confirmed to be in its possession, leaving a shortfall of 42 pieces.
The Minister noted that the issue was identified during the audit process and indicated that further steps would be necessary to trace the missing works and determine how the discrepancy occurred.