Museum.
Public Library Jaffna
Jaffna Public Library: A Symbol of Heritage and Resilience
The Jaffna Public Library stands as a significant cultural and historical landmark in Sri
Lanka, representing the rich Tamil heritage of the region.
Origins and Growth
The library’s beginnings trace back to 1933, initiated by K. M. Chellappah, a Sri Lankan
judicial officer and Tamil scholar. He started by lending books from his home in Puttur,
which eventually led to the establishment of a public library in Jaffna. By the early 1980s, the
library had expanded to house over 97,000 books and manuscripts, making it one of the
largest and most prestigious libraries in Asia at the time.
The 1981 Arson Attack
On the night of May 31, 1981, the library was deliberately set ablaze by an organized mob.
The fire destroyed its vast and invaluable collection. This devastating act was part of a series
of violent events that reflected the escalating ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka. The loss of rare
manuscripts, historical documents, and cultural records marked a profound tragedy—not only
for the Tamil community but for the entire nation.
