University of Peradeniya Library (Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

The Library of present University of Peradeniya originated in 1921 as the library of the Ceylon University College and it is noteworthy that it carries longer historical roots than the university. The valuable and extensive collection on history, literature and oriental studies of late Arunachalam Padmanabha donated by his father Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam was the first donation the University College Library accessioned. From 30,000 in 1942 the Library Collection has grown into 404,415 volumes by end of 2006 following the modest beginning of university education in Sri Lanka to the phenomenal expansion during the past six decades.