The India-funded Jaffna Cultural Centre in the Northern Province awaits inauguration nearly two years after its construction.
The Hindu reported that the structure, with 11 floors and facilities, including an auditorium that can seat 600 persons, a conference hall, an amphitheatre and a digital library, was completed in early 2020.
Built with an Indian grant of US$11 million, the centre was envisaged as a public space to “promote, preserve and foster the cultural heritage of Jaffna”, and serve as “a hub of cultural activities” in Sri Lanka.
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As per the agreement, the Government of India was to hand over the facility to the Government of Sri Lanka that would, in turn, hand it over to the Jaffna Municipal Council, which was given the responsibility of managing its recurring expenses and maintenance.
In effect, it was envisioned as a facility in Jaffna, that would be managed by the local municipal authority, and not the Central Government in Colombo.
Now, amid questions about the Municipal Council’s ability to spare funds to run the centre, its future looks uncertain.
Despite its completion, two years ago, the building is yet to be inaugurated, with uncertainty looming over who will run the facility.
courtesy newswire
