Buildings
Jaffna Public Library
මහජන පුස්තකාලය යාපනය
Northern Province
Jaffna District
9°39'43.4"N 80°00'42.6"E
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One of the largest libraries in Asia, until the night in 1981 when it was burned.
STAND INSIDE IT — 360°
THE PLACE
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.
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTES
- Viran de Silva
ONWARD
Or let the island choose – take me anywhere
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Photographs © Viran de Silva
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