Heritage & History

Our Beginning

The roots of our school trace back to the founding of the “ Saiva Paripalana Sabhai ” in Jaffna in 1888, established with the mission of revitalizing Hindu values and Tamil culture, both in Jaffna and across Sri Lanka. In 1902, the " Inthu kalluri athigara sabai " was established, and the administration of the Jaffna Hindu College was brought under it. Subsequently, the administration of the Jaffna Hindu Ladies College was also merged. In 1961, both Jaffna Hindu College and Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ College were brought under government administration and have since been functioning as government schools. In 1935, a significant milestone was achieved when Mr. A. Cumaraswamy , the then Principal of Jaffna Hindu College, began admitting girls into what had traditionally been a boys’ school. Recognizing the growing need for a dedicated space for girls’ education, the community and well-wishers in the area took initiative.

Our Journey

Jaffna Hindu Ladies College was founded on 10th September 1943 with a vision to provide quality education for girls rooted in Hindu values and Tamil culture. The college began its journey at “ Ponnalayam ,” the home of philanthropist Mr. Sivagurunathar Ponnusamy with just 8 teachers and 110 students. In its early years, the college offered classes from Grade 4 to Grade 8. A small hostel was also established to support young girls coming from distant areas, reflecting the school’s commitment to accessibility and care. In 1944, the first independent female principal, Ms. Gayathri Ponnuthurai (later known as Mrs. Gayathri Ganesan), was appointed. As enrollment increased, the college was temporarily relocated to the grounds of Jaffna Hindu College on 27th February 1944. Shortly after, Ms. Gayathri stepped down for personal reasons, and the school welcomed Ms. Muththu Achchaiya, a dedicated educator from India, who was recruited on a contractual basis.Under her leadership, the academic structure of the school was significantly expanded, offering classes up to the G.C.E. Advanced Level, laying a strong foundation for academic excellence that continues to this day Meanwhile, in 1941, the founder of Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ College (JHLC) , Mrs . Visaladchy Ammal Sivagurunathar , a well-known Hindu religious social worker of the thirties, forties and fifties, generously donated a parcel of land located at “ Naduththoddam ” on Arasady Road to support the growth of the school. Her husband, Mr. Ramalingam Sivagurunathar, along with his niece, Mrs. Valliammal Sivaguru, also contributed additional land to the college, which included the premises of the Rajavarothaya Pillaiyar Temple, which has blessed us with Pillaiyar’s protection and wisdom from the very beginning. On 7th September 1945, JHLC officially relocated to its new site on Arasady Road. On the same day, our Manager, Sir Vaitialingam Duraiswamy, laid the foundation stone for the science laboratory during a modest ceremony attended by Board Members, the Principal, college staff, students, and well-wishers. The school motto along with the anthem, flag, and tie, gradually took shape as symbols of our identity and pride.From the date of its establishment, the college had Grade Four as the beginning class. However, from 1968 onwards, students were admitted starting from Grade One. Later, in 1978, the primary classes from Grade One to Grade Five were separated and established near Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ College under the name 'Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ Primary School. From these humble beginnings, Jaffna Hindu Ladies College has blossomed into a leading school dedicated to empowering young women through academic excellence and cultural pride.