Who We Are
About the National Library and Documentation Services Board
The National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) of Sri Lanka is the apex
national institution entrusted with the collection, preservation, and dissemination of the nation’s
documentary heritage. It is also responsible for the development, organization, advancement, and
coordination of library and information services, as well as supporting the publishing sector in
Sri Lanka.
The NLDSB was established under the provisions of the National Library and Documentation
Services Board Act No. 51 of 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka, succeeding the Sri Lanka National Library Services Board established in
1970. The institution functions under the purview of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious
and Cultural Affairs.
As the national repository of published knowledge, the NLDSB is responsible for the acquisition,
organization, and provision of access to a comprehensive range of information resources,
including books, periodicals, and other materials of national significance. It plays a pivotal role
in safeguarding the intellectual and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka for the benefit of present and
future generations.
In accordance with its statutory mandate, the NLDSB plays a central role in the formulation of
national policies, standards, and strategies for library and information services. It promotes
cooperation among libraries, facilitates access to knowledge resources, and supports the
development of professional competencies within the library sector. In addition, the NLDSB
implements national initiatives to support authorship and the publishing industry, including
programmes that provide financial assistance to authors and encourage the publication of quality
works, thereby enhancing standards and promoting reading habits in the country.
Operating under the purview of the Government of Sri Lanka, the NLDSB serves as the national
focal point for knowledge dissemination and equitable access to information, thereby supporting
education, research, and lifelong learning, and contributing to the social, cultural, and intellectual
development of the nation.