Since its establishment in 1982, the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, (ICES), Colombo has striven to evolve a model of historically sensitive, theoretical and empirical research on ethnicity, and related socio-economic, political and cultural processes. It has been engaged in a series of research and policy formulation programmes and projects in the areas of ethnicity and nationalism, comparative federalism, minority protection, collective violence, multiculturalism, violence against women, women and governance, and many other related areas. In undertaking these projects, ICES has had three broad objectives in mind, namely, (a) Research, (b) Policy Intervention and (c) Value Formation. It has also undertaken election monitoring missions in other parts of the region including Pakistan, Nepal, etc. In addition to these core activities, ICES frequently organises art exhibitions, music and dance performances, seminars, workshops, book festivals, etc. Specifically, in the area of minority protection, ICES has for the last few years been working with the UN Working Group on Minorities and with the Minority Rights Group. It has been supporting the UN Working Group on Minorities in increasing awareness of the latter's work in the international community in general and in South Asia in particular. ICES is also currently involved in a regional research project on minority protection in South Asia.

Emerging directly from its vision, goal and mission, ICES’s programme has prioritised eight strategic objectives for all its work, drawing on the expertise garnered by the Centre over 25 years and its renewed commitment continue in these areas. These objectives may be organized under the broad areas of Knowledge Generation, Culture and Knowledge transfer and Management Services. The Strategic Objectives relate to research; policy interventions; egalitarian knowledge acquisition and dissemination; space for dialogue; creative expressions for social transformation; library and resource centre; and publications.

The five thematic areas under Knowledge Generation may be elaborated on as follows:

1. Ethnicity, Identity and Violence - Protecting the endless diversity of identities, and promoting coexistence; and continuing to understand the problem of the perpetration, witnessing and survival of violence.

2. State, Politics and Power - Promoting understanding of the state; and contributing towards the development of a state that is more responsive to the needs of the community

3. Justice and the Struggle for Peace - Deepening understanding of, and catalysing improved policies for, social and reparative justice and inclusive peace; and strengthening mechanisms and capacity in human and minority rights

4. Gender and Sexuality - Providing a feminist analysis of gender and sexuality; re-conceptualizing VAW interventions in conflict and other settings; and strengthening the role of women as political decision makers at all levels.

5. Globalization - Developing critical southern analysis and discourse on the impact of globalisation; and shaping discourse by conducting innovative and challenging research on key facets of globalization from a southern perspective.