Memorial Library building to be opened today, but name changed without approval

In Kandy, a new building was constructed on the same location where a fire gutted the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library. It is scheduled to be opened today by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. This building, according to records, has been built at a cost of around Rs. 600 million and has a seating accommodation of 750, along with other facilities.

But, the new building has been named "Karaliya " instead of D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library.

Interestingly the original building was constructed with public funds by none other than former Mayor and Speaker E .L. Senanayake and Sir Bennet Soyza after calling for public funds to build this imposing library building in Kandyan architecture. Also, the Council had not approved a proposal to change the original name.

However, no mention of D.S. Senanayake as the first Prime Minister or the Father of the Nation stands in this building except that it is now named as "Karaliya."

This building was constructed ten years after the fire which claimed the life of a child. At that time fire fighters failed to douse the fire, as they could not find a water hydrant, even though a fire unit was located next to the Library.

After this fire, it took ten years to construct this building, and the former Mayor at that time was seeking foreign funds to rebuild the D.S. Senanayake Memorial Auditorium. The hall had been hired for a musical show when the fire broke out.

A committee sat to find the cause of the fire and also to hold accountable those that allowed a musical show to go ahead at the venue in contravention of Council by laws.

A report was also submitted to the relevant authorities with an order for those responsible to pay compensation to the Kandy Municipal Council. Several city fathers questioned the issue but it was found that the file regarding the order had gone missing and the Council had lost money due to the callousness of the Public Officers who allowed the renting of the building without proper approval.

Now the question remains on whose decision the name of D.S. Senanayake Memorial Library has been changed to "Karaliya."