Thiruvalluvar, the unprecedented Tamil poet and philosopher, still stands tall in world literature. Thiruvalluvar transcended barriers of caste, creed, and time, offering humanity a treasure trove of guidance through his magnum opus, the Thirukkural.
Honouring this great poet-philosopher, the Cultural Centre in Jaffna, built with USD 12 million Indian grant assistance, was named Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre yesterday (18).
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi jointly announced this naming.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalingam Chandrashekhar, Governor of Northern Province Nagalingam Vethanayan, Municipal Commissioner of Jaffna S. Krishnendran, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, R. Atapattu, and Consul General of India in Jaffna Sai Murali, along with other dignitaries and cultural artists from Jaffna, also attended the naming ceremony.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Cultural Centre during his visit to Jaffna in March 2015. The facility was subsequently inaugurated in March 2022 and dedicated to the people of Sri Lanka in February 2023.
Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre in Jaffna is a space where the rich traditions, arts, and aspirations of the people of the Northern Province could thrive.
The iconic structure is a state-of-the-art facility consisting of multiple facilities, such as a two-floor museum, an advanced theatre-style auditorium for more than 600 people, an 11-storeyed learning tower, a public square that could also act as an amphitheatre, etc.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha noted that this initiative not only served to pay tribute to the great Thiruvalluvar but was also a celebration of a shared history, a shared culture, and the unique and unbreakable bond between India and Sri Lanka.
“The occasion marked the beginning of a journey guided by the wisdom of Thiruvalluvar, towards a future rich in culture, collaboration, and shared prosperity”, High Commissioner Jha said. He urged the people of Jaffna and the Northern Province to make the centre a living, breathing embodiment of Thiruvalluvar’s teachings.
“The ideal name had been chosen for the Cultural Centre in Jaffna”, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi added.
“Thiruvalluvar’s teachings remind us that our actions should always be rooted in compassion and righteousness, and that his masterpiece, the Thirukkural, guides us in the pursuit of a just and harmonious society”.