Introduction | Plam Leaf Section
The Library houses a valuable Palm Leaf Manuscript Collection comprising more than five hundred (500+) palm leaf manuscripts, representing an important part of Sri Lanka’s intellectual and cultural heritage. This collection includes significant Buddhist texts such as the Tripitaka, Aṭṭhakathā (Commentaries), Ṭīkā (Sub-commentaries), along with manuscripts covering Buddhist philosophy, monastic discipline, history, traditional medicine, astrology, linguistics, and other indigenous knowledge systems.
These manuscripts serve as primary sources for the study of Sri Lanka’s ancient culture, religious traditions, and scholarly practices, reflecting centuries of knowledge preserved through the palm-leaf manuscript tradition. The collection is of special value to researchers, scholars, and students engaged in Buddhist Studies, Pali and Sanskrit studies, history, and traditional knowledge. Through systematic preservation and responsible access, the Library is committed to safeguarding this cultural legacy and supporting advanced scholarly research.
Palm leaf sectioN