High-Level Discussion Held on Trust Board for Management of Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall

A high-level discussion regarding the proposed Trust Board to manage the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall in Jaffna for the next two years was held on Monday (25.05.2026) with the participation of Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayagan.

The discussion was jointly chaired by Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Santosh Jha, the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

Until the Jaffna Municipal Council fully assumes responsibility for the management of the cultural hall, a joint management committee and several subcommittees had been functioning through continuous discussions and coordination efforts.

As an outcome of these discussions, it was decided to establish a Trust Board to administer the cultural hall. The legal draft for the board has already been prepared and reviewed at local government, provincial council, and relevant ministry levels. The Cabinet of the Sri Lankan government has also granted approval for the final draft.

According to the proposal, the Trust Board will include ex-officio members such as the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council, the minister responsible for the subject in the Northern Province (or the Governor in the absence of a Provincial Council), and the Secretary of the relevant ministry.

In addition, four professionals representing the fields of arts, education, law, and commerce from the Jaffna district will also be appointed to the board. The board is expected to function for two years, after which the full administration of the cultural hall will be handed over to the Jaffna Municipal Council.

During the discussion, Mathivathani Vivekanandarasa, Mayor of Jaffna, highlighted the resolution passed by the Municipal Council regarding the matter. It was subsequently decided to further examine the legal framework and officially launch the Trust Board next month.

The inaugural event is expected to be held at the Thiruvalluvar Cultural Hall with the direct participation of Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.

Senior officials, including the Secretary to the Northern Province Governor and the Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council, also participated in the discussion.