The Scope of Colonial Writing in Enhancing Sri Lankan Cultural Diplomacy

Abstract

Culture is a necessary ingredient in the definition of a nation. Cultural diplomacy is the use of cultural values and norms by nations in the processes of strengthening, revising, or redefining their national identities both within the country and externally. Works of literature are among the many tools of cultural diplomacy. As a source of soft power widely used by countries in their relationships with foreign nations, cultural diplomacy has been criticized from a postcolonial perspective for contributing to the homogenization of cultures and nations. This paper argues that, where Sri Lankan cultural diplomacy is concerned, certain literary representations of Sri Lanka as was seen through the colonizer's gaze could be used in order to construct national culture, strengthen national identity and portray a more holistic picture of Sri Lanka to the world.