Main Library, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400
081 239 2471
Form for inquiries: www.lib.pdn.ac.lk/singlePage/contactus.php?contact
www.lib.pdn.ac.lk/index.php?home
Open Monday-Friday 7.30am–6.30pm, Saturday 7.30am–4.30pm.
The University of Peradeniya Library has general holdings across the humanities and social sciences. It also has a number of special collections, which are especially strong in history and for older books on Sinhala language and literature.
–Ceylon Collection. Has comprehensive holdings in the humanities and social sciences in relation to Sri Lanka. It includes monographs, Sri Lankan journals and articles, and government publications from the 1860s onwards.
–Leslie De Saram Collection. Contains 1,384 Rare items on Social Sciences and Humanities gifted by late Mr. Leslie F. de Saram.
–Henry de Mel Collection. Includes 329 rare items mostly on Sri Lankan History gifted by late Rev. Lakdasa De Mel.
–D.R.Wijewardane Collection. This collection of rare materials on Indology and Sri Lanka, containing two separate collections namely the Ferguson Collection and W.A. de Silva Collection.
–Gananath Obeyesekere Collection. The personal library of the anthropologist Gananath Obeyesekere, which consists of over 4,000 books in anthropology, psychoanalysis, and literature among other disciplines is available for research and education purposes. The collection also includes his notes and manuscripts for several journal and book chapter publications.
–Richard Abeysekara Collection. 135 rare items donated by late Mr. Richard Abeysekara during 1964 – 65.
–Prof. M.D. Rathnasooriya Collection. includes 215 items specially on Sinhalese Language and Literature gifted by the late Prof. M.D Rathnasooriya (Dept. of Sinhala).
–Hettiarachchi Collection. This is the largest bequest with 11,776 items. Mostly rare materials and hand written manuscripts on Sri Lanka bequeathed By late Mohandiram D.E.P. Hettiarachchi.
–R.Sri Padmanadan Collection – Mostly on Western Classics and English Literature.
–D.J.Kalupahana Collection. Collection on Philosophy & Psychology particularly on Buddhist Philosophy with 1541 items.
–Ian Goonetilake Collection (librarian from 1971-1979). Collection of 4,366 items in the social sciences & humanities. It includes paintings and an artefact collection, which includes originals by “The 40s Group” and other 20th century Sri Lankan artists.
–Palm – Leaf Manuscript Collection. The library possesses the second largest collection of palm – leaf Manuscripts (Ola – leaf) in the country. The collection contains over 5,000 items. A user’s guide is available in the form of a catalogue.
–Mask Collection. Includes 55 masks which are used in kōlam (a form of folk drama practiced in Sri Lanka).
–Paintings Collection. A set of 25 drawings of scenes in Trincomalee and a set of 6 scenes in and around Kandy painted by Lieut. W. Lyttleton done in watercolours between 1819 and 1825.
- Borrowing for Peradeniya students and faculty. Reference only for visitors.
- Fee of Rs. 250/week for locals, Rs. 2000/week for foreigners.
- Letter needed from the reader’s university/institute, or from a Peradeniya faculty member.
- Online and paper catalogues.
- No wireless internet, computer terminals available.
Collection strengths: Social Sciences, Humanities, History
