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 process

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, etc. 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.