Organizations

The Noolaham Foundation collaborates with a wide range of cultural, educational, research, archival, and community organisations to support the preservation, digitisation, documentation, and dissemination of Tamil heritage and knowledge. These collaborations include funding and consultancy partnerships, archival and project collaborations, technical support, outreach, publications, and capacity-building initiatives. Through these partnerships, the Foundation works to expand access to valuable resources and strengthen its documentation and preservation efforts. Collaboration does not necessarily mean that the Foundation endorse the activities, views or content of these organizations.Collaboration does not necessarily mean that the Foundation endorse the activities, views or content of these organizations.

Funding Organizations

Funding Organizations refer to institutions, foundations, agencies, Universities, diplomatic missions, charitable organisations, and other entities that provide financial, material, or other forms of support to the Noolaham Foundation for the implementation and advancement of its programmes, projects and organisational activities. The support provided by these organisations contributes to the Foundation’s work in areas including documentation, digitisation, digital preservation, cultural heritage conservation, education, knowledge access, and community development. Such support may be provided through grants, project funding, equipment, technical resources, or other forms of assistance, depending on the nature and requirements of the respective initiatives.

British Library The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It was established in 1973. The Noolaham Foundation has maintained a longstanding partnership with the British Library through its Endangered Archives Programme (EAP), working to identify, document, digitize, preserve, and provide open access to endangered archival heritage relating to Sri Lankan Tamil communities. Through projects such as EAP1056, Survey and Digitisation of Individual Manuscript Collections in Northern Sri Lanka; EAP1260, Digitisation and Cataloguing of Sri Lankan Tamil Palm-Leaf Manuscripts; EAP1450, Caste, Land, and Labour in Jaffna; and EAP1551, Sri Lankan Tamil Palm-Leaf Manuscript Library. 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). The Noolaham Foundation and University of California, Los Angeles have collaborated to preserve and provide access to historically significant archival materials relating to Sri Lanka’s Upcountry Tamil community. Through the support of UCLA’s Modern Endangered Archives Program (MEAP), Noolaham implemented the Survey and Digital Preservation of Upcountry Tamil Archival Records (Malaiyakam) project. For more details visit: University of California

University of Toronto - Scarborough Library "University of Toronto Scarborough Library is part of the University of Toronto Libraries system, one of Canada’s largest academic library systems, comprising 44 libraries across the University’s three campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. The Noolaham Foundation and the University of Toronto Scarborough Library have collaborated to document, preserve, and facilitate access to the diverse cultural and historical heritage of communities in Sri Lanka. Through the Library’s support, Noolaham has undertaken initiatives including the Documentation of Sri Lankan Muslim Ephemera, Regional Documentation in Ampara, and Folk Songs of Eastern Sri Lanka.

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. The Wikimedia Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the development and maintenance of free knowledge platforms. With funding support from Wikimedia Foundation, Noolaham implemented the Multimedia Documentation of Traditional Trades and Crafts of Eastern, Northern and Up-Country Sri Lanka project. 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. The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka provided funding to support the documentation and archiving of rare and endangered documentary materials (2012–2013). space. For more details visit: U.S Embassy Sri Lanka

Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives The Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives represents Switzerland in both countries and promotes bilateral cooperation in political, economic, educational, scientific, and cultural affairs. The Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka provided funding through a Small Grant to support the “Archiving for Justice and a Political Solution” project.

Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust "Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust (NTT) is an independent philanthropic grant-making organisation dedicated to sustaining the intellectual legacy of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam and supporting inclusive, pluralistic, and sustainable initiatives in Sri Lanka. The Trust provided financial support for the Digitisation of Publications for Online Access (2012–2014), contributing to the preservation and wider online accessibility of selected publications. In 2014, support was provided for the project “Unwritten Laws and Practices: Their Influence on the Community and Human Rights in Jaffna,” which focused on documenting and examining the influence of unwritten laws and practices on the community and human rights in Jaffna. In 2015, financial support was provided to further strengthen the Foundation’s documentation and preservation activities. For more details visit: Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust

Vision Global Empowerment "Visions Global Empowerment “Visions” is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation based in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., dedicated to empowering individuals to become global citizens who pursue their unique aspirations and make positive contributions to their communities. The Noolaham Foundation and Visions Global Empowerment have collaborated to strengthen digital education, organisational capacity, staff professional development, infrastructure, and sustainable knowledge initiatives within Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking communities. Through its generous support, Visions Global Empowerment has contributed to several initiatives of the Noolaham Foundation, including Noolaham Staff Career Development and Empowerment, Infrastructure Development of the Noolaham Foundation, and support for exhibitions and exposure activities. For more details visit: Vision Global Empowerment

The Manudam Foundation The Maanudam Foundation is a recently established charitable organization based in the UK. It is supporting underprivileged Tamil-speaking communities in Sri Lanka’s North, East, and upcountry regions, where poverty is widespread and access to healthcare and education is limited. MF assists the Noolaham Foundation's projects by providing funding and equipment in the areas of digitisation and documentation. Noolaham Foundation’s partnership with the Maanudam Foundation has supported the initiation of several important documentation, preservation, and technology-focused projects. With funding from Maanudam Foundation, Noolaham has initiated projects such as Next-generation AI-based Ecosystem for Noolaham, Regional Documentation – Batticaloa, and the documentation and preservation of Eelam-related Tamil documents in Tamil Nadu, India. For more details, visit : Manudam Foundation

Aravanai Aravanai is a Canadian-registered charitable organisation that has provided financial support to the Noolaham Foundation for the Noolaham Cloud Storage Solution project. This support has contributed to strengthening the Foundation’s digital preservation, secure storage, and long-term accessibility of digital collections.

Consultancy Partners

Consultancy Partners are libraries, research institutions, universities, cultural organisations, and other professional institutions that provide specialised consultancy, technical guidance, training, and professional expertise to the Noolaham Foundation in areas relevant to its programmes and operations. Their expertise supports the Foundation in strengthening its practices, developing professional capacity, and improving its approaches to documentation, digitisation, digital preservation, archival management, and related activities.

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. RMRL provides consultancy services to Noolaham Foundation in the areas of documentation and preservation. Documentation, preservation, and systematic management of collections relating to Eelam and its Tamil-speaking communities. supporting the secure retention and long-term preservation of digital collections and data. 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

Ayothy Library Service Ayothy Library Services is a pioneering organisation in the fields of bibliography, library science, and the documentation and preservation of Tamil heritage. Originally established in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, the organisation has contributed to the development and preservation of Tamil bibliographic and library resources. Ayoddhya Library Service has supported the Noolaham Foundation in the Evelyn Ratnam Library Documentation Project, conducted in Jaffna from July 2020 to August 2021.

Archival Partners

Archival Partners are libraries, archives, museums, educational institutions, cultural organisations, and other institutions that collaborate with the Noolaham Foundation in the identification, collection, documentation, digitisation, preservation, and provision of access to archival and heritage materials. These partnerships support the preservation of rare publications, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, photographs, and other documentary and cultural resources, while facilitating their long-term preservation and wider access through the Foundation’s digital platforms.

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. Jaffna Public Library has provided Noolaham Foundation with an office space at their library to conduct digitization activities. Various rare publications, magazines, phamlets and manuscripts have been digitized by Noolaham Foundation. For more details visit: Jaffna Pulic Library

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. 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. For more details visit: colombotamilsangam.com

University of Jaffna Library 150pxUniversity of Jaffna Library "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. 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.

Batticaloa Arasady Library The Arasady library is one of the three main libraries functioning under the Batticaloa Municipal Council. It was inaugurated on 6th of July 1985 and upgraded to grade 3 on 23rd of may 2018. It provides library services such as books lending, reading,reference and children units. Batticaloa Arasady Library has provided Noolaham Foundation with an office space at their library to conduct digitization activities. Various rare publications, magazines and Newspapers have been digitized by Noolaham Foundation.

Jaffna Medical Museum Teaching Hospital Jaffna (JMMTHJ) Jaffna Medical Museum lies inside the Jaffna Teaching Hospital along with Victoria road, Jaffna. It belongs to Teaching Hospital 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 Jaffna’ (JMMTHJ). Jaffna Medical Museum has provided the Noolaham Foundation with a range of rare publications, magazines, pamphlets, and medical equipment for digital preservation.

Evelyn Ratnam Library Evelyn Ratnam Institute for Inter-Cultural Studies is located in Jaffna. It was the late Dr. James D.Ratnam who established this Foundation in memory of Mr. Ratnam's late wife Evelyn Vijayaratne Ratnam. Dr. Ratnam had a collection of books and research papers they had collected through his contacts attached to various universities.

Project Partners

Project Partners are institutions, organisations, academic departments, libraries, community-based organisations, and other entities that collaborate with the Noolaham Foundation in the planning, development, and implementation of specific projects and initiatives. Through these partnerships, the Foundation undertakes collaborative activities in areas such as digitisation, documentation, digital literacy, education, research, cultural heritage preservation, and knowledge dissemination. Project Partners contribute relevant resources, expertise, collections, facilities, or community engagement to support the effective implementation, sustainability, and overall objectives of collaborative projects.

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. 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. For more details visit: Department of Computer Science - University of Jaffna

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. 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. For more details visit: OMI Jaffna

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. 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. For more details, please contact: http://www.jfn.ac.lk/med/index.php/community-medicine/

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. The poet Mr. S. Pathmanathan is the president of this organization and about 150 volunteers are contributing. 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 Chunakam Public Library was established on 1 October 1964 under the Department of Local Government. It is one of the public libraries serving the Jaffna region and provides a range of library services, including book lending, reference services, and children’s library services. In 2012, the Noolaham Foundation collaborated with Chunakam Public Library as an Archival Partner to undertake a project for the digitisation and preservation of rare manuscripts held by the Library. As part of this initiative, a number of rare coins in the Library’s collection were also digitised and documented. For more details visit: chunnakamlibrary.com

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. 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.

Jaffna Institute for law and Policy WERC Jaffna Institute for Law and Policy (JILP) is a research and policy institute based in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, engaged in legal and policy research, advocacy, and educational activities. JILP has collaborated with the Noolaham Foundation on initiatives related to the documentation and preservation of legal, constitutional, and policy records.

Repositories

Women's Education & Research Centre WERC Women’s Education and Research Centre (WERC) - This is the clearest and earliest collaboration. Noolaham and WERC carried out a digitisation project in 2007–2008 to digitise WERC publications. Noolaham describes it as the first collaborative project with another organisation. For more details visit: WERC

The International Centre for Ethnic Studies ICES The International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) has collaborated with the Noolaham Foundation since 2010 to document and archive ICES publications. Through this collaboration, more than 100 ICES publications have been digitised and made accessible through the Noolaham digital archive. For more details visit: The International Centre for Ethnic Studies

National Art and Literary Federation National Art and Literary Federation is an organisation that promotes Tamil arts, literature, and cultural activities, and supports the development and dissemination of literary and cultural works. The National Art and Literary Federationhas provided its publications to the Noolaham Foundation for digitisation.

Tamil Times Tamil Times (ISSN 0266 4488) is an English monthly news magazine focused on Sri Lankan Tamil issues. It was published in London UK continuously from 1981 to late 2000s. It provides valuable documentation and analysis about the Tamil struggle and the Sri Lankan and International politics during these crucial times.

Benefactor Organizations

Benefactor Organizations are institutions and organisations that provide financial, material, infrastructural, logistical, or other forms of support to the Noolaham Foundation, contributing to the effective implementation and continuity of its programmes, projects, and organisational activities. The Foundation gratefully acknowledges their valuable contributions towards strengthening its operational capacity and supporting its long-term mission.

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. 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. For contacts: www.viluthu.org

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.Aa-Kohl Research Center had provided office space and related facilities to Noolaham. For more details visit: Aa-Kohl

Beneficiary Organizations

Beneficiary Organizations are libraries, archives, cultural institutions, community organisations, digital initiatives, and other entities that benefit from the financial, technical, informational, material, or other forms of support provided by the Noolaham Foundation or its chapters.Through such support, the Foundation contributes to the development, sustainability, and advancement of initiatives related to documentation, digitisation, digital preservation, library and archival services, and access to knowledge and information. Support may include financial assistance, technical consultancy, access to relevant documentary resources, provision of materials for digitisation, or other forms of institutional support, depending on the needs and objectives of each initiative.

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

Technical Partners are organisations, institutions, and technical communities that provide specialised technical expertise, technological resources, systems, tools, and support to the Noolaham Foundation in developing, implementing, maintaining, and enhancing its digital platforms, technological infrastructure, and digital initiatives. Their technical knowledge and support contribute to strengthening the Foundation’s technological capabilities, improving digital services, and supporting its work in documentation, digitisation, digital preservation, and sustainable access to knowledge and information.

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 FreeTamil E-books.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/

Center for Tamil Natural Language Processing Research Center for Tamil Natural Language Processing Research (CTNLPR) conducts research and develops Tamil Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools while fostering scholarly collaboration. For the Noolaham Foundation, CTNLPR is developing an AI-based ecosystem for large-scale analysis of digitised Sri Lankan Tamil texts using Noolaham’s digital archive of over 100,000 documents. For more details visit: Center for Tamil Natural Language Processing Research/

Outreach Partners

Outreach Partners are organisations, institutions, community-based groups, and other entities that collaborate with the Noolaham Foundation to promote awareness, community engagement, knowledge dissemination, volunteer participation, and public engagement related to the Foundation’s programmes, projects, and initiatives. Through these partnerships, Outreach Partners support the Foundation in conducting awareness-raising activities, workshops, exhibitions, educational programmes, community outreach, and volunteer engagement initiatives. Their collaboration helps strengthen connections with local communities, expand public awareness, encourage participation, and facilitate wider engagement with the Foundation’s documentation, preservation, education, and knowledge-access activities.

Sirakukal Amaiyam Sirakukal amaiyam was established in 2016 October with the group of youngsters with the intention of empowering educational standard of the Tamil community. 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. extends Volunteer support for the Noolaham Foundation Operations.

Cintanaikoodam - Jaffna Cintanaikoodam is a Jaffna based organization, was founded by Prof R. Sivachandran in 2009. It engages in data collection from community and conducts public lectures and seminars. 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.

Thalam Organization- Trincomalee It is a community-based organisation focused on the youth of Trincomalee. This organisation was formed on September 11, 2018 with the aim of creating an ideal future for the youth through capacity building and maintaining an ideal society. Thalam collaborates with the Noolaham Foundation in the "Trincomalee Regional Documentation" project and also extends volunteer support for the Noolaham Foundation operations.

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.

Jeevanathy Jeevanathy is a monthly Tamil literary magazine published in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It provides a platform for a diverse range of literary and cultural expressions, featuring short stories, poetry, literary articles, interviews, literary criticism, and discussions on contemporary arts and literary events.Jeevanathy contributes its publications to the Noolaham Foundation for digital preservation.