"Political discussion not allowed," reads a sign at the Jaffna Library
The hosting of a documentary and panel discussion on the destruction of the Jaffna Public Library was muzzled by threats from the Sri Lankan intelligence service say organisers, who attempted to mark the 43rd anniversary of the arson attack.
"Burning Memories," a documentary directed by Somee Tharan on the 43rd anniversary of the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, was scheduled for screening and discussion at the library auditorium
Initially, the screening was not permitted due to reported threats from the Sri Lankan intelligence services. However, after pressure from civil society, the screening was granted, but a planned political discussion about the burning of the library was restricted.
Organisers placed a banner at the entrance to the library prior to the screening reminding the attendees they should not engage in a political discussion over the destruction of the library.
The screening of the documentary coincides with the anniversary of the ill-fated event which took place on May 31 1981.
At midnight on May 31 the Jaffna Public Library, the crucible of Tamil literature and heritage, was set ablaze by Sri Lankan security forces and state-sponsored mobs. The burning has since been marked by Eelam Tamils as an act of genocide.
Over 97,000 unique and irreplaceable Tamil palm leaves (ola), manuscripts, parchments, books, magazines, and newspapers, housed within an impressive building inspired by ancient Dravidian architecture, were destroyed during the burning. Some texts that were kept in the library, such as the Yalpanam Vaipavamalai (a history of Jaffna), were literally irreplaceable, being the only copies in existence. It was one of the largest libraries in Asia.
