Today (May 31) marks 35 years since the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, one of the most significant cultural tragedies in Sri Lanka’s history.
The Jaffna Public library, one of the Asia's largest and a Key crucible of Tamil culture, was intentionally set ablaze by an organized State sponsored mob.
Founded in 1933 from the private collection of scholar K.M. Chellappah, the Jaffna Public Library grew into a major repository of Tamil literature, history, and cultural heritage.
In 1959, the library moved into its iconic Indo-Saracenic-style building designed by Indian architect S. Narasimhan. By the early 1980s, it had become one of the largest libraries in Asia, housing more than 97,000 books, rare manuscripts, palm-leaf records, and invaluable historical documents.
On May 31, 1981, amid a period of ethnic and political unrest, the library was set on fire. Nearly 100,000 books, rare manuscripts, and historical archives were destroyed in the blaze, an event widely regarded as a devastating loss to Tamil cultural heritage.
Following years of reconstruction supported by the Sri Lankan government and local and international donors, the library was restored and officially reopened to the public in 2004.
English News
Writing
Today (May 31) marks 35 years since the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, one of the most significant cultural tragedies in Sri Lanka’s history.
Founded in 1933 from the private collection of scholar K.M. Chellappah, the Jaffna Public Library grew into a major repository of Tamil literature, history, and cultural heritage.
In 1959, the library moved into its iconic Indo-Saracenic-style building designed by Indian architect S. Narasimhan. By the early 1980s, it had become one of the largest libraries in Asia, housing more than 97,000 books, rare manuscripts, palm-leaf records, and invaluable historical documents.
On May 31, 1981, amid a period of ethnic and political unrest, the library was set on fire. Nearly 100,000 books, rare manuscripts, and historical archives were destroyed in the blaze, an event widely regarded as a devastating loss to Tamil cultural heritage.
Following years of reconstruction supported by the Sri Lankan government and local and international donors, the library was restored and officially reopened to the public in 2004.
Today, the Jaffna Public Library stands as a symbol of knowledge, resilience, and the preservation of Tamil culture and history.
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