Jaffna Public Library
Jaffna Public Library
3.5
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3.5
211 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
73
Average
63
Poor
12
Terrible
9
Sivalingam SP Singapore
Singapore61 contributions
Jan 2020
Beautiful architecture and one of the largest library in Asia Before it was destroyed in 1981.The library was burned in June 1981 by an organised mob of Sinhalese before the civil war. It was re-built now and it is historic and symbolic importance to many people in Jaffna. Visitors must remove their footwear before entering the library and no need to pay entrance fee. We couldn't see the written old dried palm leaves stored in special sandalwood boxes??
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anaya Lakshan
Colombo, Sri Lanka5 contributions
Apr 2021
It was always a dream to visit this place, as it was a very important landmark of the country's civil war. It was supposed to be one of the largest libraries in Asia. Great to see it built back again to its old glory
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vachintha Piyadasa
Colombo, Sri Lanka1,814 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
This is one of Jaffna‘s most prominent landmarks. The library was built in 1933 and got destroyed in 1981 during the civil war. This was known to be one of the largest libraries in Asia back in 1980's that had around 100,000 books and other relevant material. After the destruction that took place in the 80's, it was renovated in 2001 and today, it is the second main public library in the island.
Written August 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrManOnTheMoon
Copenhagen, Denmark94 contributions
Sep 2015
An amazing symbolic structure that amazes you with its outside an inner beauty. And both the old and new story of it is a vital part of understanding the history.
Written September 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aruna s
Colombo, Sri Lanka317 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
The burning of the Jaffna Public Library (Tamil: யாழ் பொது நூலகம் எரிப்பு, Yāḻ potu nūlakam erippu Sinhala: යාපනය මහජන පුස්තකාලය ගිනිබත් කිරීම, Yāpanaya mahajana pustakālaya ginibat kirīma) took place on the night of June 1, 1981, when an organized mob of Sinhalese individuals went on a rampage, burning the library.[1] It was one of the most violent examples of ethnic biblioclasm of the 20th century.[Term][3] At the time of its destruction, the library was one of the biggest in Asia, containing over 97,000 books and manuscripts. =wikipedia =
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tommymacaus
Melbourne, Australia150 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We tried to visit when we first arrived in Jaffna but discovered it doesn't open to foreign visitors until 4:30pm.
We came back a couple of days later and when we went inside discovered that we could only walk through the hallways - all the actual rooms in the library are off limits to foreigners. You can't take photos, there are no information signs or guides - there really isn't much to do.
It's a shame as this library plays a big part in Sri Lanka's history and could be a really interesting attraction - perhaps it is still a little early after the war.
We came back a couple of days later and when we went inside discovered that we could only walk through the hallways - all the actual rooms in the library are off limits to foreigners. You can't take photos, there are no information signs or guides - there really isn't much to do.
It's a shame as this library plays a big part in Sri Lanka's history and could be a really interesting attraction - perhaps it is still a little early after the war.
Written March 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gloria575
Hobart, Australia27 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Visitors only allowed between 4:30 pm and 6 pm and the not actually allowed into any sections to see any books. Hardly public library more like a private members only. Gardens were nice but I would not waste my time
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shamil J
Colombo, Sri Lanka26 contributions
Apr 2017
Closed on public holidays and Poya days. You'll find the clock tower in front of the the library and the dutch fort is also few meters away from the library.
Written April 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Purobi
San Francisco652 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The history if this library is fascinating and that alone is worth a visit.This is where it all started in terms of Sri Lankan civil war in force. Tamil heritage manuscripts *palm leaves) and about 91,000 volume of books involving Tamil history was burnt to ground by mob (with the blessing from official government) in the early 80's. After the war ended about 6 years ago, Janna people built the library first. It is an amazing testament to the Tamil's intellectual and will power.The building from outside is pretty to look at. The only problem is tourists can not get access to anywhere but the reading room. There are photos of NY Public Library, Library of Congress and Columbia University's library which is my husband's alma mater and my husband is a retired professor/founder of the Dental School in Stoney Brook in NY. I asked him to go to the front desk, introduce himself and ask if we can go inside to see the collection. It was very easily granted. What was disconcerting is how they are now storing the donated palm leaf manuscripts. They were very kind to open the cabinet and let us touch (we did NOT) but we were horrified to see that these manuscripts are not even properly folded. They are just piled up, dis organized, collecting dust. Rest of the rooms have some Tamil and some English books and no, it is not a world class collection. However, how does one tiny city in a tiny country rebuild a world class library after losing 91,000 volumes of its heritage? I almost wept in emotion.
Written November 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SEs
London, UK25,869 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
This famous library was damaged during the Civil war now fully restored
The collection of books less than what was before.
The collection of books less than what was before.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sir/Madam,
I am an Indian Tamil residing in Singapore and wish to donate some Tamil Novels to the Library,how do i go about it.
Written January 13, 2024
Can I access the library books as a foreigner
I not interested in the building
Written October 8, 2015
Sorry, I don't know the answer. I haven't tried to borrow books.
Written October 9, 2015
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