COLOMBO, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The National Heritage Division of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Cultural Affairs has launched a comprehensive program to identify, categorize, and protect the country's national heritage sites, Sri Lanka's local media outlet The Daily Mirror reported Wednesday.

According to Additional Secretary of the division Sujeewa Palliyaguruge, a committee of experts has been appointed to lead the process. She said that although Sri Lanka's heritage assets were previously gazetted under the Archaeology Act, no formal criteria had been established for identifying or classifying them.

The committee has agreed to distinguish national heritage under two categories, tangible and intangible, and to introduce specific criteria for each.

Palliyaguruge added that a national heritage policy has been drafted and is expected to be presented to the cabinet for approval soon.

She further stated that the initiative has received financial support from UNESCO, enabling the division to carry out its work more effectively. ■