The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, who is on an official visit to the Jaffna District today – on Thursday, 23 July 2026, together with the Governor of the Northern Province, Hon. N. Vethanayahan, paid inspection visits to the historic Old Jaffna District Secretariat Building and the Jaffna Public Library.
The delegation, led by the Hon. Minister, first visited the historic Old District Secretariat Building located opposite the Jaffna District Secretariat. They held extensive discussions on measures required to preserve and protect the building while maintaining its historical character, as well as future plans for its conservation. During the visit, Hon. Minister Prof. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi provided relevant officials with special instructions and guidance regarding these preservation initiatives.
Those who participated in the field visit included the Director General of the Department of Archaeology, the Secretary to the Governor, the District Secretary of Jaffna, officials of the Department of Archaeology – Jaffna District, the Private Secretary to the Governor and the Coordinator to the Chairman of the Jaffna District Coordinating Committee, among others.
Following this visit, the Minister and the Governor, together with their delegation, proceeded to the Jaffna Public Library, where they were welcomed by the Hon. Deputy Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council, the Municipal Commissioner and the Chief Librarian.
During their tour of the library, the visiting dignitaries reviewed its ongoing operations and were briefed on the development projects being implemented under the Rs. 100 million allocation specially provided by His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake through the previous national budget for the development of the Jaffna Public Library. The Chief Librarian explained the progress of these projects, and the Minister and the Governor, along with their delegation, also inspected the work completed under the programme to date.
