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Jaffna Public Library

Jaffna, Sri Lanka
+94 21 2 226028
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Review Highlights
Hilariously untouristy

Worth a visit to see something of local culture at play. No women in periodical reading room... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
the_finchley_lees
,
North London
via mobile
Nice building

Nice building, well renovated but poor content: you can just walk into a few corridors and cannot... read more

Reviewed 2 days ago
guillermo_calvino
,
Paris, France
via mobile
Read all 167 reviews
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Overview
  • Excellent23%
  • Very good39%
  • Average31%
  • Poor5%
  • Terrible2%
Travellers talk about
“civil war” (14 reviews)
LOCATION
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
CONTACT
+94 21 2 226028
Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Jaffna
Write a ReviewReviews (167)
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All reviews
"beautiful building"
in 9 reviews
"visiting hours"
in 6 reviews
"civil war"
in 14 reviews
"enter the building"
in 4 reviews
"visit inside"
in 3 reviews
"children's park"
in 2 reviews
"foot wear"
in 3 reviews
"sri lanka"
in 12 reviews
"white building"
in 2 reviews
"foreign visitors"
in 2 reviews
"clock tower"
in 2 reviews
"former glory"
in 2 reviews
"dutch fort"
in 2 reviews
"books"
in 39 reviews
"libraries"
in 11 reviews
"burnt"
in 26 reviews
"manuscripts"
in 7 reviews
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1 - 10 of 146 reviews

Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile

Worth a visit to see something of local culture at play. No women in periodical reading room, tourists not allowed anywhere Toilet floors swimming in water abd no taps working 4 security men at entrance Did look nice if allowed in

Thank the_finchley_lees
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile

Nice building, well renovated but poor content: you can just walk into a few corridors and cannot enter departments: you will not see much not see many explanations. But important historical place in Jaffna.

Thank guillermo_calvino
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 1 week ago

open from 9am to 17hrs.Entrance is free of charge.we find the all the books.there are two areas.Indian and sri lankan section.photographs not allowed inside the library

Thank Mohamed N
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
See more reviews
Reviewed 1 week ago

This is one of Jaffna‘s most prominent landmarks. The library was built in 1933 and got destroyed in 1981 during the civil war. This was known to be one of the largest libraries in Asia back in 1980's that had around 100,000 books and other...More

1  Thank Vachintha
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 1 week ago

It was funtastic experience visiting the library, saw how the micro film reader works, yazh, india corner...must visit place .very quite and people are getting benefitted...

Thank Akila P
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 4 weeks ago

We visited this place since we had time to kill. Did not undertake a tour of the premises but spent the time reading. They have the entire range of local newspapers to read. Also magazines. They are open to public for reading only from 4.30...More

Thank Balaji J
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Unfriendly staff. Limited rooms for tourists to visit. Not very public at all. Not worth going inside.

Thank Lisa S
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 5 weeks ago

Jaffna public Library is Sri Lanka's prominent and biggest library. Before the war there were many books and once it was south asia's biggest library as well. Public can visit inside. Photos and videos not allowed. Two stories building. must visit place in Jaffna

Thank Mohamed Ricshan A
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 12 July 2018

this a public library and visitors only can visit 04.30 pm - 06.30 pm Mondays library is closed and please avoid on Mondays

Thank faarazri
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 9 June 2018

I was not allowed inside as it was a holiday that day. But from he outside i can make out that it must be a nice place inside too.

Thank arinds
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Nearby
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North Gate by Jetwing
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Green Grass Hotel
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Nearby Restaurants
Malayan Cafe
221 reviews
.68 km away
Jetwing Jaffna
70 reviews
.36 km away
Cosy Restaurant
191 reviews
.85 km away
Green Grass Hotel & Restaurant
190 reviews
1.06 km away
Nearby Attractions
Jaffna Fort
408 reviews
.40 km away
Jaffna Market
45 reviews
.64 km away
Jaffna Archaeological Museum
14 reviews
1.28 km away
Ask a question
Questions & Answers
andy222009
9 October 2015|
Answer
Response from Margaret N | Reviewed this property |
Sorry, I don't know the answer. I haven't tried to borrow books.
0
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