COLOMBO, June 22 -- The government of Sri Lanka on Saturday announced plans to rebuild the Jaffna public library that was destroyed by fire during 1981 district elections. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said it was incumbent upon the people to amend for the crime brought against one of Asia's finest institutions.
'The president explained to the cabinet that this library was burnt down in 1981 during the district development council elections and that it was the duty incumbent upon the people of Sri Lanka and the government to make amends for this crime,' said a release from the presidential secretariat. 'It was, therefore, decided that the library would be rebuilt as a symbol of friendship of the people of the south towards the people of the north and their condemnation of the politics of error,' the release said. Jaffna library was renowned as one of the oldest and the best of its kind in Asia. 'The people of Jaffna were justifiably proud of this institution,' the release said.
