The final decision to sign the agreement on establishing the Board of Trustees to administer the Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre was reached today – on Monday 27 July 2026, at the meeting of the Joint Management Committee.
Several high-level representatives participated in the 7th Joint Management Committee meeting, which was held via online technology, joining from various locations.
From the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the Hon. Professor Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, participated. From the Northern Province Governor’s Secretariat, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, the Secretary to the Governor and the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council also joined. In addition, from the Consulate General of India in Jaffna, the Hon. Mayoress of the Jaffna Municipal Council, Mrs. Mathivathani Vivekanandarasa and Consul General Shri Sai Murali also took part in the meeting.
It had previously been decided that this Board of Trustees would consist of a total of seven members: three ex officio members and four subject experts. However, at this meeting, the number of ex officio members was increased to four.
Accordingly, the four ex officio members will be: the Minister in charge of Provincial Local Government (or, in the absence of a Provincial Council, the Hon. Governor), the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Hon. Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council and the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council. Together with five subject experts, the Board will comprise a total of nine members. All parties, including the Jaffna Municipal Council, also agreed at the meeting on the appointment of the five subject experts by name.
Furthermore, all parties agreed to remove Clause 12 from the previously prepared Trust Deed, as proposed by the Jaffna Municipal Council.
Following these amicable agreements, it was decided that a date for all parties to officially sign the revised agreement would be determined as soon as possible.
