Sri Lanka’s traditional practice of Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema, an ancient indigenous technology for extracting sap from the Kithul (Caryota urens), a palm endemic to Sri Lanka, has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The announcement was made on 11 December 2025 during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) held in New Delhi, India.
Kithul Madeema, practiced for centuries by rural communities, is a highly skilled knowledge system involving the identification of mature Kithul palms, climbing tall trees, preparing and wrapping the inflorescence, and tapping it with a sacred knife to extract sap daily which is then filtered and boiled to produce Kithul treacle (pani), jaggery (hakuru) and various other food products central to Sri Lankan cultural and culinary life.
This living tradition spans over 13 districts across the Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka, flourishing in forests, home gardens, and natural landscapes. Its inscription would enhance visibility, strengthen community livelihoods, inspire youth engagement, and reinforce sustainable cultural practices.
Minister Counsellor of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Wathsala Amarasinghe, in her statement following the adoption, conveyed Sri Lanka’s profound appreciation to the Evaluation Body for recommending the inscription and thanked the UNESCO Secretariat for its support throughout the process. She emphasized the deep significance of this recognition for the rural communities and traditional tappers who have safeguarded this knowledge system.
This inscription marks a significant milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka’s commitment in preserving its living heritage and celebrates the creativity, resilience, and ecological wisdom of the Kithul tapping communities.
Embassy of Sri Lanka &
Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka to UNESCO
Paris
11.12.2025
