The iconic Jaffna Cultural Center (JCC), which was built with grant assistance from the Government of India (GOI), was dedicated to the people on February 11, 2023, at a colorful event in the gracious presence of President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Information & Broadcasting, of India. Dr. L. Murugan, High Commissioner of India; Gopal Baglay; Douglas Devananda, Minister for Fisheries; Vidura Wickramanayake, Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs; Kadar Masthan, Minister of State for Rural Economy; several Parliamentarians; and dignitaries from various walks of life,
Describing the JCC as a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ranil Wickremesinghe thanked him and the Government of India for the center. He thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the economic challenges. Highlighting cultural similarities between the two countries, he noted that India and Sri Lanka were two sides of the same coin.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan underlined that India’s partnership with Sri Lanka was guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Neighborhood First” policy. He also announced a special financial assistance scheme for 100 students from economically weaker families at the University of Jaffna. He also highlighted that the GOI has implemented numerous people-centric projects cutting across sectors in the Northern Province.
Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Vidura Wickramanayake handed over a special token of gratitude to Minister Dr. L. Murugan for the JCC. The wide array of cultural performances showcased the richness and diversity of Sri Lanka’s culture.
The state-of-the-art facility consists of multiple facilities, such as a museum with two floors, an advanced theater-style auditorium for more than 600 people, an 11-story learning tower, a public square that could also act as an amphitheater, air-conditioned exhibition galleries, open exhibitions, and a 100-seat conference facility, among others.
The foundation stone for the JCC was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2015 during the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Jaffna. Following the construction of the JCC, the iconic facility was virtually inaugurated during the visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Colombo in March 2022.
