The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan has instructed that, in order to expedite the process of establishing a Library Services Bureau in the Northern Province, the draft be reviewed and the work be completed within two months, with steps taken to implement it.
A discussion on the establishment of a Library Services Bureau in the Northern Province was held today – on Tuesday 22 September 2026. During this discussion, the current draft for establishing the Bureau was examined in detail, and a five-member committee was appointed to further refine it.
The Governor instructed the committee to examine the structure, operational procedures and necessary regulations for a Library Services Bureau suitable for the Northern Province, complete its work within two months and submit its report.
During the discussion, the statutes governing the Library Services Bureaus established in other provinces of Sri Lanka were also examined in detail. The administrative and operational arrangements followed by them were considered, and discussions were held on incorporating appropriate arrangements suited to the needs and circumstances of the Northern Province.
Regarding the proposal to establish a Library Services Bureau in the Northern Province, representatives of the National Library and Documentation Services Board had, a few months ago, explained to the Governor the need to establish a provincial level Library Services Bureau in the Northern Province. It had also been explained at the time that such bureaus were already functioning in some provinces of Sri Lanka, with library services being coordinated under them at the district and divisional secretariat levels as well.
The discussion held today was attended by the Secretary to the Governor of the Northern Province, Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Local Government of the Northern Province, Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council, Assistant Commissioner of Local Government – Headquarters, Assistant Commissioner of Local Government, Jaffna, Chief Executive Officer of the Library Foundation, Librarian of the University of Jaffna and Librarian of the University of Vavuniya.
