Decision 42 COM 7B.17

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (Sri Lanka) (C 451)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7B.47, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
3. Welcomes the news that the implementation of the scaled-back port project has been deferred due to other port projects being implemented first, and that the need for considerably updated plans is clearly recognized, taking into account the recommendations of the July 2016 ICOMOS Advisory mission;
4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, large-scale plans, detailed plans, and high-resolution photo montages of the proposed port development before any work commences at the property, so that the Committee can review the port project and determine its appropriateness;
5. Also welcomes the commitment of the State Party to strengthen the legislative and financial frameworks for the management of the property, and to engage a marine archaeologist before the commencement of the implementation of the proposed port project to prevent any impacts of the project on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and initiate mitigation measures, if necessary;
6. Further requests the State Party to provide information on the implementation status of the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan and to clarify the financial standing of the Galle Heritage Foundation, including information on the financial resources available to implement the recommendations of the Tourism Management Plan;
7. Requests furthermore that the State Party provide information on the measures taken to ensure the appropriate quality and number of staff necessary to implement the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) and the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan;
8. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, including a detailed report be submitted on the implementation of the IMP, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session in 2020.