The Evolution Of The Sinhala Language: An Important Reference

By Rajasingham Narendran -April 8, 2014 

Dr. Rajasingham Narendran

At this moment in our history, we are engaged once again in discussions and debates on the antiquity of the different communities in Sri Lanka and the languages that identify them, namely Sinhala and Tamil; and the nationhood in terms of exclusivity of each. While searching for information of the evolution of the Sinhala script and spoken language, a language which is claimed to be uniquely Lankan, I came across the following extensively referenced document, which makes interesting reading. I am sure those who have an open mind will benefit from this publication.

In the introduction to this document it is stated:

“Sri Lanka being an island in such close proximity to the sub continent of India, it is to India that we must look for origins of Sri Lanka’s culture, religion, language and scripts. The ethnic origins of the peoples of Sri Lanka must be traced to the peoples of India. An exception must be made for those minorities who can trace their ancestry to Sri Lanka’s colonial rulers, the Portuguese, Dutch and British, and also for a small number of Muslims who trace their ancestry to either Arab traders or to Indonesia.                                      Read More