Organizations

The Noolaham Foundation collaborates with various organizations related to its projects. Our mission is to build strong relationships with cultural and educational institutions and to recruit and support new organizations. We need your help in making this collaborative platform bigger, better and more useful. The following is the list of the organizations we collaborate with. Collaboration does not necessarily mean that the Foundation endorse the activities, views or content of these organizations.

Funding Organizations

British Library The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom The British Library is a major research library, with items in many languages and in many formats, both print and digital: books, manuscripts, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, videos, play-scripts, patents, databases, maps, stamps, prints, drawings. It was established in 1973. The library maintains a programme for content acquisition and adds some three million items each year occupying 9.6 kilometres (6 mi) of new shelf space. For more details visit: British Library

University of California, Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA traces its early origins back to 1882 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School (now San Jose State University). It became the Southern Branch of the University of California in 1919, making it the second-oldest (after UC Berkeley) of the 10-campus University of California system. The university is organized into six undergraduate colleges, seven professional schools, and four professional health science schools. For more details visit: University of California

Wikimedia Foundation The Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (WMF, or simply Wikimedia) is an American non-profit and charitable organization headquartered in San Francisco, California. It is mostly known for participating in the Wikimedia movement. It owns the internet domain names of many movement projects and hosts sites like Wikipedia. The foundation was founded in 2003 by Jimmy Wales as a way to fund Wikipedia and its sibling projects through non-profit means. For more details visit: wikimedia foundation.org

U.S Embassy, Sri Lanka Relations between the United States and Sri Lanka are based on mutual interests and a shared commitment to the ideals of democratic governance. U.S. policy toward Sri Lanka is characterized by respect for its independence, sovereignty, and moderate nonaligned foreign policy; support for the country’s unity, territorial integrity, and democratic institutions; and encouragement of its social and economic development. For more details visit: U.S Embassy Sri Lanka

Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust The Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust (NTT) was established in 2001, two years after the assassination of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam, and is devoted to sustaining his intellectual legacy as a peacemaker, legislator, constitutional lawyer and institution builder. As an independent, indigenous and philanthropic grant making organization, the NTT is well positioned to understanding the issues surrounding the various communities that make up the fabric that is Sri Lanka, while addressing them not only in a country specific manner, but also in a regional and even community specific manner. With this expertise as its forte, the NTT aims to support sustainable measures that are inclusive, pluralistic, and uphold the sanctity of life. For more details visit: Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust

Vision Global Empowerment Visions Global Empowerment (“Visions”) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. that endeavors to develop global citizens to realize their unique aspirations and make a positive contribution to their communities. Visions is especially focused on enabling social change in communities affected by poverty, conflict and disability through education, leadership development and technology. We envision a world where all people have access to quality education, feel empowered, and are capable of participating as leaders in today’s society. For more details visit: Vision Global Empowerment

Consultancy Partners

The Roja Muthiah Research Library The Roja Muthiah Research Library (RMRL) was founded in 1994 to preserve, catalogue, and expand the collection of Roja Muthiah Chettiyar, a private collector who put together one of the world’s finest private libraries of Tamil publications during his lifetime. Located in Chennai, RMRL currently houses one of the most unique collections of Tamil imprints in South Asia. Some of the publications date from the latter part of the eighteenth century. With a collection of 2,50,000 items, RMRL provides research materials and facilities for research scholars of Tamil studies in a variety of fields spanning the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most of the publications date from the latter half of the nineteenth and the twentieth century. RMRL provides consultancy services to Noolaham Foundation in the areas of documentation and preservation. For more details visit: The Roja Muthiah Research Library

The French Institute of Pondicherry The French Institute of Pondicherry is a French financially autonomous institution in India, under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). It is an integral part of the network of 27 research centres connected with the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. IFP assists Noolaham Foundation's programs by providing training to our volunteers in the areas of digitizing and preservation. For more details visit: The French Institute of Pondicherry

University of Toronto - Scarborough Library The University of Toronto Libraries system is the largest academic library in Canada and is ranked third among peer institutions in North America, behind only Harvard and Yale. The system consists of 44 libraries located on University of Toronto's three university campuses: St. George (downtown Toronto), Mississauga and Scarborough. It was established in 1892. This array of college libraries, special collections, and specialized libraries and information centres supports the teaching and research requirements of 215 graduate programs, over 60 professional programs, and more than 700 undergraduate degree programs.

Archival Partners

Jaffna Public Library Jaffna Public Library The library was built in many stages starting from 1933, from a modest beginning as a private collection. Soon with the help of primarily local citizens, it became a full fledged library. The library also became a repository of archival material written in palm leaf manuscripts, original copies of regionally important historic documents in the contested Contest political history of Sri Lanka and newspapers that were published hundreds of years ago in the Jaffna peninsula. It thus became a place of historic and symbolic importance to the local minority Sri Lankan Tamil people An organized mob went on a rampage on the nights of May 31 to June 2, 1981, burning the Jaffna public library. The library at the time of destruction was one of the biggest in Asia containing over 97,000 unique books and unique manuscript. For more details visit: Jaffna Pulic Library Jaffna Public Library has provided Noolaham Foundation with an office space at their library to conduct digitization activities. Various rare publications, magazines, phamlets and manuscrpts have been digitized by Noolaham Foundation.

Colombo Tamil Sangam Colombo Tamil Sangam Colombo Tamil Sangam contributes towards the betterment of Tamil language, culture and Arts. Established in 1942, it operates a library with more than 45,000 books, publishes books and magazines, and conducts various events. The library takes a unique stand in accomplishing the basic needs of high level research, references and also elaborates the platform for tamil language reading. It has a continuous approach in updating itself while comprising a huge number of tamil books. Moreover other main responsibilities of the Sangam include encouraging creators and publishers by creating a common platform, improving students' creative skills, encouraging Tamil literates, publishing 'sangathamizh' magazine and other books. For more details visit: colombotamilsangam.com From 2009 to 2011, Colombo Tamil Sangam provided a space within their library to digitize their Sri Lankan Tamil special collection so that users all over the world can benefit from their collections. Noolaham Foundation has digitized more than 2500 publications from their collection.

JAFFNA MEDICAL MUSEUM TEACHING HOSPITAL JAFFNA (JMMTHJ) Jaffna Medical Museum lies inside the Jaffna Teaching Hospital along with Victoria road, Jaffna. It belongs to TH Jaffna. It was established in 2018 and ceremonially opened on the 10th day of March 2018. Initially, it was called ‘MUSEUM’ of the Hospital. In 2021 it was renamed as ‘JAFFNA MEDICAL MUSEUM TEACHING HOSPITAL’ (JMMTHJ

Project Partners

Department of Computer Science - University of Jaffna The Faculty of Science in the University of Jaffna established the Department of Computer Science in 1991. The vision of the Department is to be recognised as the centre of Computer Science learning in North and East parts of Sri Lanka. The department aims to produce competent graduates who excel in learning and computer science research and who could contribute to the development of the nation. For more details visit: Department of Computer Science - University of Jaffna In collaboration with the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC), the Department of Computer Science at the University of Jaffna has initiated a project on designing an optical character recognition (OCR) software for the Tamil and Sinhala languages. Noolaham Foundation contributes to this project by providing digitized documents in Tamil.

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) - Jaffna OMI Jaffna is a branch of The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI), a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. Bishop Christopher Ernest Bonjean was called to Colombo at the age of sixty, on April 20, 1883, appointing Father Melizan Theophile OMI, his successor in Jaffna. Thus in the Diocese of Jaffna, from the time of the appointment of Bishop Semeria as the Vicar Apostolic of Jaffna on July 5, 1868 until the death of the last native Bishop of the same Diocese. For more details visit: OMI Jaffna The Jaffna regional organization of the OMI has been in touch with Noolaham foundation on issues related to our projects. They have shared with us the rare documents that they have housed in their library Thodarpakam. Noolaham foundation has shared some of the digitized documents with the Lebara library in Kilinochi which is administered by the OMI.

Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna The Department of Community Medicine was established in 1978 as an educational institution. The Department functioned at the beginning at the present Siddha Department in Kaithady and then moved to the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna in 1981. In 1986, the department shifted to its present location, Faculty of medicine, University of Jaffna, Adiyapatham Road, Kokuvil. Prof. C. Sivagnanasundram (Nanthi) was the first Head of the Department. The name of the Department has been changed as “Department of Community and Family Medicine” with the introduction of Family Medicine into the curriculum. Dr. Surenthirakumaran Rajendira is the present Head of the department. The academic activities of the Department include offering training to undergraduates, providing public health services to the people and giving trainingto students in the paramedical field who would eventually work as PHIs, PHMs, Nurses, etc. For more details, please contact: http://www.jfn.ac.lk/med/index.php/community-medicine/ Noolaham Foundation collaborated a digitization project in 2014 with the Department of Community and Family Medicine and digitized about 250-300 rare books, pamphlets and periodicals from their publications and collections. They are related to Health, Nutrition, First Aid, Diseases and Symptoms of Diseases, Psychology, etc. Those digitization works are accessible in NF’s digital library at www.noolaham.org.

Hindu Board Children Home The famous Sri Lankan Tamil political leader Sir Ramanathan Ponnambalam inaugurated Hindu Board of Education on 1st December, 1923 to propagate Tamil language, Culture, Saiva Religion and Education. And Mr. Rajaratnam Subramaniam (Hindu Board Rajaratnam) also played an important role, in this progress to bring it, up to this stage. This approved charity is located at Kalasalai Road, Thirunelvely, Jaffna. The poet Mr. S. Pathmanathan is the president of this organization and about 150 volunteers are contributing. The Hindu Board of Education runs a Children’s home with around 250 students. They are also getting Shelter, Food, Clothing, Health Care, Education, Recreation and Vocational training. Almost all the children are from families affected by war. Hindu Board has a branch at Palaali road, Urumpirai, Jaffna called “Karunai illam”, a children's home especially for girls. For more details visit: hinduboard.org The Noolaham foundation had been conducted a project for Hindu Board of Education students for their ‘soft-skill development and an awareness creation. We have conducted a number of other events promoting digital literacy and virtual learning.

Chunnaham Public Library The Chunakam public library was started on October 1st, 1964 by Department of Local Government Association. It is one of the Public Libraries in Jaffna and thus provides library services such as book lending, reference services and children library. The local government commissioner directs this library. This library conducts events such as ‘Readers month, Library week, International women’s day etc. And also it organizes some books exhibitions, and mobile library services and competitive exams among the school students. And it publishes a magazine named ‘Vellimalai’ (வெள்ளிமலை). The students circle and readers circle and well-wishers are functioning as stakeholders of this library. For more details visit: chunnakamlibrary.com Noolaham Foundation has conducted a project to digitize the rare manuscrpts held at Chunnakam Library during 2012. A number of rare coins were digitized as well.

Sivagurunatha Peedam Sri Sivagurunatha Peedam Vedhantha Madam was formed in 1904 by V. S. S. K. Kumaarasamy as a non-profit, charitable organization. The focus of establishment is to spread knowledge about upanishad among the hindu people. Moreover Sri Sivagurunatha Peedam Vedhantha madam aims to implement the religious compromise, social and religious services, and useful classes too. In present they are conducting some Yoga classes, meditation practices, and polyphony classes and monthly discussions and lectures, continues debates on Veda, commemoration poojas and etc. It also conducts demonstration and discussions on Upanishad. Sri Vedha Viththiyaasaakarar is the director of this organization. Furthermore, Sri Sivakurunatha Peedam Veethantha madam maintains an internal library with many valuable books and some palm leaves manuscripts. During 2012, while conducting the ‘Manuscripts Archive Pilot Project 2012’, Noolaham Foundation digitized a number of palm leaf manuscrpts hel at this library. Some books were digitized as well.

Benefactor Organizations

Viluthu - Center for Human Resource Development Viluthu Viluthu- Centre for Human Resource Development Ms.Shanthi Sachchithanandam founded Viluthu in 2003 as a non-profit organization with the aim of promoting good governance through networking and advocacy. It’s located in Colombo 07 and has its branches in Jaffna, Puttalam, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, Kilinochchi andMullaitivu. For contacts: www.viluthu.org Viluthu provided their office space and related facilities to Noolaham Foundation during the early days of the latter. Also Noolaham Foundation digitized most of their publications and made them accessible in NF’s digital library.

Aa-Kohl Research Centre The Centre is based on the belief that Tamil heritage is worth conserving and renewing. Increased cultural appreciation and understanding can be achieved through research, community education and communication. For more details visit: Aa-Kohl Aa-Kohl Research Center had provided office space and related facilities to Noolaham.

Beneficiary Organizations

Suvadi Digital Library Suvadi Digital Library is a physical library with digital resources. It is based in Jaffna. The Foundation have provided financial assistance to Suvadi to carryout their activities in 2010

Thamizham Digital Library Thamizham is a web based project by Pollachi Nasan. Pollachi Nasan digitizes various rare magazines and books from his vast collection. Noolaham volunteers have provided technical consultancy to Thamizham during the initial stages of their digitization initiative.

Keetru Online Journal Keetru is a web based library with machine readable texts of numerous magazines and articles. The Foundation have provided financial assistance to Keetru to sustain their activities when they were not able to continue in 2010.

Padippakam Digital Library Padippakam is a digitizing initiative with its focus on political documention. Noolaham United Kingdom chapter provides documents for digitization and they have been using Noolaham documents for their library.

Technical Partners

Kaniyam Foundation Kaniyam Foundation is working on creating an environment where all virtual resource, tools and knowledge related to Tamil Language and ethnic groups, are accessible free and open to all. Kaniyam.com and FreeTamilEbooks.com are two major projects by Kaniyam Volunteers. It provides technical support for Noolaham Foundation as part of its activities on promoting Free/Open Source Software. For more details visit: Kaniyam Foundation/

Outreach Partners

Sirakukal Amaiyam Sirakukal amayam was established in 2016 October with the group of youngsters with the intention of empowering educational standard of the Tamil community. "Intended Journey toward the Education" is theme for the journey. Up to date Sirakukal has travelling with 750+ activists in 18 districts which are included in 6 Sirakukal administrative Division. (Yarlpanam, Killinochi-Mullaitheevu, Vavuniya-Mannar, Thirukonamalai, Madu Amparai, MalaiNadu). Mainly focusing on the educational empowerment via primary educational empowerment as well as focusing on Carrier Guidance, Library formation, Development and e-Learning initiatives. For more details visit: www.sirakukal.org Sirakukal provides a platform for youth in leadership, engagement and participatory action. Sirakukal tie-ups with organization working on climate action, documentation, women empowerment, economical empowerment and think tanks. Sirakukal extends supports with organization with the policy of co-working and promoting its value on co-working. Sirakukal collaborates with Noolaham Foundation in Open Education Resources documentation project and also extends Volunteer support for the Noolaham Foundation Operations. specially Marapurimaikalai Thedi 2020 - Documentation Exhibition was supported by Sirakukal team.

Cintanaikoodam - Jaffna Cintanaikoodam is a Jaffna based organization, was founded by Prof R. Sivachandran in 2009. Its located at no 121, 2nd cross street, Jaffna also functioning as non-profitable, partnership organization. It engages in data collection from community and conducts public lectures and seminars. In present its doing some data collections in Tamil areas based on Social and Economical development. The founder is holding the position as director in Cintanai Koodam-Jaffna. Noolaham Foundation have collaborated with Cintanaikoodam in conducting awareness raising activities and workshops.Three days workshop was coordinated by Cintanai Koodam on February 2011 for Noolaham Foundation staff and volunteers. Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Prof R. Sivachandarn facilitated this workshop.

Publication Partners

Ezhuna Ezhuna Media Ezhuna Media is a non - profit, charitable, independent media organization. The primary objective of this organization is to record various voices of the people, especially those occupying the margins of societies. For more details visit: Ezhuna Ezhuna Media collaborated for print publication related program with Noolaham.