Sunday Times 2
Second street library donated by Pakistan to Sri Lanka
View(s):Sri Lanka’s second Street Library was inaugurated today as a gift to the people of Kandy on behalf of the people of Pakistan to further enhance the timeless friendship between the two countries. Books in all three languages – Sinhala, Tamil and English – will be available at the library.
Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki, HI and Kandy Municipal Council Commissioner signing handing-over document
The ribbon cutting ceremony was jointly done by High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki, HI and the Commissioner of the Kandy Municipal Council, followed by signing of handing-over document of the library administration to the Kandy Municipality for maintenance, security and upkeep of the property and books.
The library is located in a scenic public area in Sahas Uyana, near Kandy City Centre. Anyone can access this library for free.
The building and books were donated by the Government of Pakistan, under the concept of a “Street Library”. This library has a different concept compared to traditional libraries and will operate on the concept of “Take a book, leave a book”. There is no librarian and anyone can come here and read books. Readers are encouraged to donate quality books of their choice to the library, especially when they are taking any book with them.
The Government of Pakistan believes that raging violence in the world can only be alleviated by a humane society of educated, thinking and aesthetic minds.