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Jaffna history, art and culture for the new generations
by Melani Manel Perera
An exhibit and seminar (24-27 September) will showcase ancient artefacts, goods, images, sculptures and studies about the glory days of the northern peninsula. Indian scholars will present papers. The exhibit is open to foreigners.
Colombo (AsiaNews) – The Arts Faculty of the University of Jaffna has organised an exhibit and seminar for 24-27 September to show the people of Sri Lanka and the world the historical and cultural richness of the ancient Jaffna Peninsula (northern province). The event, which is being held on the university campus, was presented yesterday. Indian scholars will take part in the event, a fact that is especially important given the often tense relations between the two countries.
“This exhibit is designed to showcase ancient artefacts and tell the history of the people of Jaffna in ancient times,” said Jaffna University professors S. Pathmanathan, N. Ganakumaran and P. Pushparatnam. It will tell their “story,” describe “how and where they live,” and “present their lifestyle. In short, it will show how the peninsula was built.”
“The choice of artefacts and studies shows the glory of Jaffna to the world,” Prof Ganakumaran said, “as well as today’s younger generations and adults.”
In the exhibit, people can see the region’s old system of drainage and water supplies, its farming implements, architectural plans for temples and houses, statues, ancient fishing, metal work (iron and copper) and boat building techniques as well as educational practices and local dialects.
Most of the artefacts (images, objects, sculptures, and archaeological relics) were put together by students at Jaffna University.
Indian Professors Rajan, Selva Kumar, Adiyaman and Rajagopal as well as 15 Sri Lankan academics from southern universities will present their research.
The event was made possible by the government’s decision to open the northern part of the island nation to foreign visitors as well as Sri Lankan and international NGOs without requiring them to obtain Defence Ministry permits.
Jaffna Peninsula, a predominantly Tamil part of Sri Lanka, was one of the areas most affected by the civil war. The end in 2009 of the 30-year conflict between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) left 220,000 internally displaced people.