India to build cultural centre in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

It would serve as a delivery centre for training, instruction and education in a variety of cultural disciplines.

The Centre would comprise a theatre-style auditorium -- with projection facilities—with a capacity of up to 600 people, a multi-media library with on-line research facilities, exhibition and gallery space and a museum. 

It would also have an instructional wing, which would have facilities to conduct classes in vocal and instrumental music, dance and languages, including a language lab. It would serve as a hub of socio-cultural activities.

In order to select a unique and iconic design for Jaffna Cultural Centre, the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) conducted a National Design Competition. 29 entries were received for the competition.

The design by Archt. Madura Premathileka was unanimously selected for the centre based on the technical acceptability, context plan, aesthetic/architectural language, space efficiency, among other things.