An EPDP official accused the TNA controlled Jaffna Municipality and the Mayor of trying to open the library prematurely before the scheduled dissolution of the Council on February 17.

He said the library - famed as one of the best in Asia - still lacked books, furniture and facilities like airconditioning.

Meanwhile other reports said the LTTE was also insisting that the reopening be put off for a date to be set by the Tiger leadership.

The famed library was burnt down in 1981 allegedly by racist gangs and it has taken more than 20 years to rebuild it brick by brick and book by book.