On 18th January 2025, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha, and the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Hon’ble Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, officially announced the naming of the Cultural Centre in Jaffna as the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center in tribute to the revered Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources Hon’ble Ramalingam Chandrashekhar, Governor of the Northern Province Hon’ble Nagalingam Vethanayan, Jaffna Municipal Commissioner Mr. S. Krishnendran, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Mr. Atapattu, Consul General of India in Jaffna Mr. Sai Murali, as well as other dignitaries and cultural artists from the region.
Constructed with a generous grant of USD 12 million from the Government of India, the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center is an iconic structure designed to nurture the rich cultural heritage and aspirations of the Northern Province. The state-of-the-art facility features a two-story museum, an advanced 600-seat auditorium, an 11-story learning tower, and a versatile public square that doubles as an amphitheater.
The foundation stone for the Center was laid by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his landmark visit to Jaffna in March 2015. The facility was inaugurated in March 2022 and formally dedicated to the people of Sri Lanka in February 2023.
Speaking at the naming ceremony, High Commissioner H.E. Santosh Jha highlighted the significance of honoring Thiruvalluvar, emphasizing that the initiative celebrates the shared history, culture, and enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka. He expressed hope that the center would become a vibrant space guided by Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom, fostering collaboration, cultural exchange, and prosperity. He urged the people of Jaffna and the Northern Province to transform the center into a dynamic hub reflecting the poet’s teachings.
Minister Hon’ble Hiniduma Sunil Senevi applauded the selection of Thiruvalluvar as the center’s namesake, noting that his teachings promote compassion, righteousness, and the pursuit of a just society. He remarked on the timeless relevance of the Thirukkural, Thiruvalluvar’s masterpiece, and presented a special gift to the High Commissioner—a first-edition Sinhala translation of the Thirukkural.
On behalf of Sri Lanka’s President, H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the Minister extended gratitude to the Indian Government for the cultural center and expressed optimism about its role in fostering vibrant cultural activities. He reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to make the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center a beacon of cultural and intellectual enrichment.
