A Treasury of Dhamma

The Sir Baron Jayatilaka Memorial Library is considered the oldest Buddhist library in operation to date. Originally serving the English-reading public at the Maradana Walauwa, it was enriched in 1916 by the addition of the Simon Hewavitharana Library, reputed to be the island's best collection of English Buddhist literature.

Despite a fire in 1922 that destroyed early records, the library was resiliently reorganized. In 1968, during the Sir Baron Jayatilaka Birth Centenary, it was renamed in his honor. A bronze bust of Sir Baron, sculpted by Tissa Ranasinghe, stands at the entrance, serving as a constant reminder of his greatness and learning.

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