Home Sri Lanka Northern Province Public Library Jaffna

Public Library Jaffna

AB20, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

+94 212 226 028

Map

Detailed Information

Place Types Library
Address AB20, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Coordinate 9.6620798,80.0118926
Website Unknown
Rating 5
Compound Code M266+RQ Jaffna, Sri Lanka

Openning hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Photos

Reviews

Prakathees waran (03/03/2021)

First built in 1933, the Jaffna Library has long been a symbol of northern heritage. Emphasised by its now restored classical architecture, the library also endured a horrific burning in 1981 – a time at which it held nearly 100,000 books and manuscripts, making it one of the largest libraries in Asia.

Niro T (02/10/2021)

The Library was targeted and burnt on the purpose to erase Tamil History part of Systematic genocide by the Srilankan State. The knowledge stored in this place is humongous. But its all gone now except few that got salvaged.

A S M Siyath (03/20/2021)

Jaffna Public Library (Tamil: யாழ் பொது நூலகம்) is located in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It is one of Jaffna's most notable landmarks, and is run by the Jaffna Municipal Council. The library was built in 1933 and burnt in 1981. During the early 1980s, it was one of the biggest libraries in Asia, containing over 97,000 books and manuscripts. Over a million books burned in the 1981 arson attack. Some ancient Sinhala and Tamil books were never recovered. In 2001, rehabilitation of the library was completed, with new structures being built and new books received, although its old books and manuscripts were not replaced. It is Sri Lanka's second main public Library, only rivalled by Colombo Public Library. The building's classical lines and beautiful proportions make it stand out architecturally. It contains lush gardens and has been modernized with new facilities such as free-wifi that was added in 2016.