Overview
The burning of the Jaffna Public Library on June 1, 1981, is one of the most devastating acts of cultural destruction in modern history. The library contained over 97,000 books and manuscripts, including irreplaceable Tamil historical documents, ancient palm leaf manuscripts, and the only copies of many historical records.
The Library
History
- Founded in 1933
- Became one of the largest libraries in Asia
- Housed rare Tamil manuscripts dating back centuries
- Cultural heart of the Tamil community
Collections Lost
- 97,000+ books and manuscripts
- Ancient palm leaf (Ola) manuscripts
- Newspaper archives dating to the 1800s
- Historical documents on Tamil culture and history
- Rare religious texts
- Original research materials
The Burning
Events Leading Up
In May-June 1981, tensions were high due to local elections. On the night of May 31-June 1:
What Happened
- A mob of Sinhalese police, security forces, and paramilitaries attacked Jaffna
- The library was systematically set on fire
- Fire trucks were prevented from responding
- The burning lasted through the night
Other Destruction
The same night also saw:
- The office of the Tamil newspaper Eelanadu burned
- The home of the TULF MP for Jaffna attacked
- Hindu temples vandalized
- Tamil shops and homes destroyed
Significance
Cultural Genocide
The burning of the library is considered an act of cultural genocide because:
- It targeted irreplaceable cultural heritage
- It was designed to erase Tamil history
- It represented an attack on Tamil identity itself
Political Impact
- Radicalized Tamil youth
- Demonstrated government complicity in anti-Tamil violence
- Became a powerful symbol of Tamil grievances
- Contributed to the path toward civil war
Aftermath
Government Response
- No one was prosecuted
- Government officials denied involvement
- Some officials implicated were later promoted
Reconstruction
- The library was rebuilt and reopened in 2003
- Many collections could never be replaced
- The rebuilt library serves as both a library and memorial
Remembrance
The burning is commemorated annually by Tamil communities as a symbol of:
- Cultural persecution
- The systematic nature of anti-Tamil violence
- The importance of preserving Tamil heritage
Legacy
The destruction of the Jaffna Library remains one of the most powerful symbols of the cultural dimensions of the conflict. It demonstrated that the violence against Tamils was not just physical but aimed at erasing their very identity and history.
Quotes
“When I saw the library burning, I knew that they were not just trying to kill us - they were trying to destroy who we are.” - Tamil survivor
“The burning of a library is an act that strikes at the very soul of a people.” - International scholar
Sources
- University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna)
- “The Sri Lankan Tamils: Ethnicity and Identity” by Chelvadurai Manogaran
- Jaffna Public Library historical records
- Survivor testimonies