Jaffna’s historic clock tower which was built in 1882 could be considered as one of the oldest clock towers in South Asia and an oldest one in Sri Lanka.

The clock tower which was built in 1882 with the leftover of the fund collected to present a gift to Prince of Wales Albert Edward, son of Queen Victoria who visited Sri Lanka in 1875.

Sri Lanka then was known as Ceylon during the British period in the Island. Following the demise of Queen Victoria, Prince of Wales Albert Edward became the king of England. Therefore the tall clock tower which is located in the vicinity of Jaffna Public Library, Jaffna Central College and the Dutch Fort of Jaffna remains as a stark reminder of the respect the citizens of Jaffna possessed for the British Empire.

Since the clock tower was built during Queen Victoria’s period, the historic clock tower also Known as Victoria clock tower.

Prince of Wales Edward Albert was given a warm welcome in Colombo. The citizens from all over the Island made their contribution for the grand reception accorded to Prince of Wales Edward Albert.

Jaffna citizens on their part collected Rs 10,000 and gifted a silver casket containing valuable Jewels to the visiting Royal dignitary.

However the total cost of the gift presented to the Prince of Wales was Rs 4000. So the Balance of Rs 6000 with an additional collection of Rs.4000 was spent on building the Jaffna clock tower which remains a monument symbolizing the respect the Jaffna citizens of by gone era had for the British Empire but .

A special meeting was held at the Jaffna District Secretariat which was then known as Jaffna Kachcheri and the decision was taken at that special meeting to build the Jaffna clock tower. The architect of the Jaffna clock tower was James Smither who was the Government architect when the initiative was taken to build the clock tower.

Governor James Longden presented the clocks to be put up on the four sides of the clock tower in 1882 when it was declared opened. 

During the North and East civil strife the clock tower also suffered immensely.  However the tower didn’t collapse, despite the terrible cross fire which took place between the Tamil militants and the Armed Forces based within the Dutch Fort until the North and East civil war ended in May 2009.

The clock tower also suffered with the marks of bullet and artillery shells which had pierced its towering structure.

In 1998 the Prince of Wales Charles who is now the king of the United Kingdom visited Sri Lanka. On hearing the plight of the Jaffna clock tower , which was built in memory of his predecessor Prince of Wales Edward Albert’s visit to the Island in 1875, King Charles in 1998 donated one million Sri Lankan rupees for the refurbishment of the Jaffna clock tower. The clock tower which got a facelift following  the visit of King Charles who was then the Prince of Wales was declared opened to its old glory by then British High Commissioner Linda Duffield on June 19, 2002.

With the end of North and East civil war, the dawn of New Year is celebrated annually in the backdrop of the Jaffna clock tower in the vicinity of the Jaffna Dutch fort.

The Jaffna’s premier television DAN (Dish Asia Network) Chairman S.S. Kuganathan first initiated the New Year celebration in Jaffna with the awesomely illuminated clock tower indicated the dawn of the New Year at 12 midnight.

Thousands of people gather at the Jaffna esplanade to welcome the New Year annually from the all parts of Jaffna. It is interesting to see the artistes from Jaffna perform on the stage erected to celebrate the dawn of the New Year. When the clock tower indicates the dawn the New Year, fireworks will dominate the skies of Jaffna, which were filled with deadly rockets and artillery shells when the civil strife lasted for four decades in the North and East. 

The premier part of the December 31 celebration organised by the DAN television is to honor a dignitary who had contributed in the departing year significantly for the development of Jaffna in any field.

The dignitary chosen by a panel of intellectuals in Jaffna will also be honored on the day of celebration with a cash prize of Rs. One lakh and the dignitary will also be covered with a golden shawl.

From the time the DAN organised to welcome the New Year, several dignitaries in the Jaffna Peninsula have been honored for their valuable contribution in various fields.

The celebration to welcome the dawn of New Year in Jaffna is unique as it is only in Jaffna esplanade the December 31 celebration is held after the mega year end celebration held in Colombo’s sea side Galle Face Green with mega musical entertainments and fireworks.