Sri Lanka has formally nominated the ancient rituals and offerings performed at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura for UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognizing practices that have been maintained for over two thousand years.

Sri Lanka has officially submitted a nomination to UNESCO seeking recognition of the centuries-old religious rituals and offerings associated with the Sri Maha Bodhi, one of Buddhism's most revered sites. According to Professor Prabath Jayasinghe, Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO, the submission has been forwarded for consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee through its standard review process.

The Sri Maha Bodhi was transported to Sri Lanka by Theri Sangamitta and planted in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. Since its arrival, the sacred tree has been the focus of continuous religious observances and ceremonial offerings performed by devotees and designated custodians.

According to Prof. Jayasinghe, the nomination highlights a unique aspect of this living tradition: individuals from eighteen distinct clans who originally accompanied Theri Sangamitta to the island have historically been responsible for performing specific services and rituals at the site. Their descendants have maintained these hereditary practices across more than two millennia, creating an unbroken chain of cultural transmission. The nomination seeks to recognize these practices as an important example of intangible cultural heritage worthy of international acknowledgment and protection.