A special high-level discussion regarding the Trust Fund Governing Board to be established for managing the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall for the next two years was held today – on Monday 25 May 2026, with the participation of N. Vethanayahan, Hon. Governor of the Northern Province.
The discussion was chaired by the Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and the Consul General to Sri Lanka, Jaffna Santosh Jha.
Joint management committees and sub-committees had been formed and continuous discussions had been conducted to manage the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall until the Jaffna Municipal Council fully takes over its administration. As a result of those discussions, it was decided to establish this Trust Fund Governing Board to manage the said hall. A legal draft was prepared, reviewed at the local government level, provincial council level, and at the relevant line ministry level, and a final draft was produced. The Sri Lanka Cabinet of Ministers has also granted its approval for this draft.
The Trust Fund Governing Board will include the following ex-officio members: the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council, the Minister responsible for the relevant subject in the Northern Province (or the Governor in the absence of a Provincial Council), and the Secretary of the Line Ministry. In addition, four subject-matter experts representing the fields of arts, education, law, and commerce from the Jaffna District will also be included. It was decided at this discussion that the Board, to be constituted with the proposed names, will function for two years, after which full administration of the Cultural Hall will be handed over to the Jaffna Municipal Council.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council, Mathivathani Vivekanantharasa, who participated in the discussion, drew attention to the resolution passed at a session of the Jaffna Municipal Council on this matter. Following this, it was decided to examine the legal validity of the matter and thereafter to officially inaugurate the Trust Fund Governing Board next month. It was also agreed to hold this inaugural event at the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall with the direct participation of Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Indian Consul, Jaffna Santosh Jha.
Key officials including the Secretary to the Northern Province Governor and the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council also participated in this high-level discussion.
