American Corner opened in Jaffna

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia A. Butenis early this week declared open the new American Corner in Jaffna. 

It will broaden educational opportunities, improve IT and English language skills, and help promote development in the North.  This is the third American Corner in Sri Lanka, complementing the others in Kandy and in Oluvil.  There is also a larger American Centre in Colombo.

In her welcome address Ambassador Butenis said, “An American Corner is much more than a small library where people can read books, magazines, or current newspapers. The American Corner is a place that will connect Jaffna with the rest of Sri Lanka, and with the world.  Through digital video conferences, the Jaffna public can now interact with American scholars or business leaders in New York, Los Angeles, or Washington D.C.   Of equal importance, you can also connect with a network of universities throughout Sri Lanka and with our American Corners in Kandy, Oluvil, and Colombo, as we are doing today.  We will engage young people via the internet, web casts, and programming to develop their communication and leadership skills.  Our online databases, English language library collection, regularly scheduled book clubs and film screenings will provide educational and cultural resources to both children and adults.  We hope and expect that the American Corner will quickly become a vibrant community centre, and provide a space for dialogue between Sri Lankans and Americans.”

Sughirtharaj, Director of the Jaffna Social Action Centre which hosts the American Corner, also addressed the gathering.  He said, “Everyone has the right to reap the benefits from this resource centre and it is the duty of everyone to protect it.  So, let’s use this facility with care, honouring the stipulated rules and regulations and try to expand the facilities and services in the future.  Finally, I wish to thank all those who supported this project and did everything even in a little way to make this possible.”

Among the attendees were V. Mahalingam, Chief Officer of the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, and Major General Hathurusinghe, Commanding Officer for Jaffna.   Religious leaders, community leaders, journalists, and students also attended the opening ceremony.