A majestic Indo-Saracenic landmark that rose from the ashes, the Jaffna Public Library stands as an enduring symbol of Tamil cultural heritage and the indomitable spirit of a people.
The Jaffna Public Library is far more than a repository of books — it is the cultural heart of the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. Founded in 1933 through the vision of K.M. Chellappah, a humble court clerk, the library grew from a private collection of 1,000 books into one of the largest and most significant libraries in South Asia, housing over 97,000 volumes including irreplaceable palm-leaf manuscripts.
Designed in the magnificent Indo-Saracenic architectural style by S. Narasimhan of Madras, with renowned Indian librarian S.R. Ranganathan serving as advisor, the library became a beacon of learning that attracted scholars from across the world. Its gleaming white domes and stately columns stand proudly over Jaffna, more a palace of knowledge than a mere building.
K.M. Chellappah, a District Court clerk and scholar, circulated an appeal for "A Central Free Tamil Library in Jaffna." Despite economic hardship, labourers, teachers, authors and businesspeople rallied to his cause. The library began with 1,000 books in a single small room — a seed that would grow into something extraordinary.
The first major wing, spanning 15,910 square feet, was opened by Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappah. Designed by architect S. Narasimhan in the Indo-Saracenic style, it featured a reference section, novel wing, children's section, lending library, conference hall, and art galleries. With 33 staff and 17,000 members, it surpassed even the Colombo Metropolitan Library in size.
The collection expanded to over 97,000 volumes. Among its treasures were the only existing copy of the Yalpanam Vaipavamalai (a history of Jaffna written in 1736), miniature editions of the Ramayana, palm-leaf manuscripts in sandalwood boxes, scrolls on herbal medicine, works of Arumuka Navalar, and microfilms of historic Tamil newspapers. Scholars from India and beyond came to research.
On the night of 31 May 1981, the library was set ablaze. Over 97,000 books and irreplaceable manuscripts were destroyed — two thousand years of Tamil cultural heritage reduced to ash. The burning was described as one of the most devastating acts of cultural destruction of the 20th century, and the loss of unique texts like the Yalpanam Vaipavamalai can never be recovered.
After years of painstaking effort, the library was rebuilt and renovated — its architecture an homage to the original design. New structures were built and new books received from donors worldwide. While the irreplaceable manuscripts could never be replaced, the rebuilt library stands as a powerful testament to resilience and the enduring importance of knowledge.
The Jaffna Public Library continues to serve the community as a centre of learning and cultural preservation. Its gleaming white Indo-Saracenic façade, domed towers, and stately reading rooms welcome students, scholars, and visitors. The library remains a symbol of Tamil heritage, a monument to what was lost, and a beacon of hope for what endures.
Designed by S. Narasimhan of Madras, the library's gleaming white stucco walls, domed towers, and classical columns blend Indian and Moorish architectural traditions into a building that resembles a palace more than a library.
The original collection included priceless ola (palm-leaf) manuscripts stored in fragrant sandalwood boxes — ancient texts on herbal medicine, poetry, and Tamil grammar dating back centuries, many of which were the only copies in existence.
At its height, the library held over 97,000 books and manuscripts in Tamil, English, and other languages — making it one of the largest and most comprehensive libraries in all of South Asia.
Scholars from India and across the world came to the library for research. Renowned Indian librarian S.R. Ranganathan — father of library science in India — served as advisor, ensuring it met international standards.
The library housed early colonial accounts of Ceylon, centuries-old Tamil newspapers, microfilms of the Morning Star missionary journal, and manuscripts of prominent intellectuals, writers, and dramatists of the peninsula.
Born from the vision of K.M. Chellappah, the library was funded and supported by ordinary people — labourers, teachers, and merchants — making it a truly democratic institution built by the community, for the community.
The burning of the Jaffna Public Library on 31 May 1981 was one of the most devastating acts of cultural destruction of the 20th century. Over 97,000 books and irreplaceable manuscripts were lost — texts that represented two thousand years of Tamil civilisation in Sri Lanka. Yet from the ashes, the library was reborn. Today it stands again, its white domes gleaming in the tropical sun, serving new generations of readers while honouring the memory of what was lost.
Stand before the gleaming white domes, walk the same pathway that generations of scholars have walked, and pay tribute to the enduring power of knowledge.
Explore More of Jaffna →