Deemanka Jayakodi

Biography

Deemanka is a Curator at Colombo National Museum where he is responsible for the care of the museum’s collection. A large part of his role focuses on conservation; identifying the preservation needs of objects and coordinating pest control across the museum, as well as supporting the development of exhibitions and displays. Deemanka’s professional interests also include collections management, object handling, museum security, disaster management and evacuation and rescue.

Deemanka is currently working on a digitization project, where he aims to digitize the entire museum’s collection before its 150^th anniversary, in three years’ time. Deemanka is passionate about changing people’s perception of museums and is working to promote Colombo National Museum’s visitor offering as a place for everyone, particularly for the local community, through temporary exhibitions and public engagement programmes.

Deemanka has recently worked on a research study into the ivory collection at Colombo National Museum. The ivory industry operated in Sri Lanka from the 2^nd century AD until it was banned in the 20^th century.

At the British Museum

During his time at the British Museum, Deemanka was based in the Asia Department and his UK partner placement was spent at Lincoln Museum and University of Nottingham Museum.

Deemanka’s participation in the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust.