Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Sri Lanka: The Expansion from the Beginning to the Present

Abstract

The present World is modern and economically advanced. Among all new systems and substances, writing and journalism can make a difference. The root of the modern writing system goes to ancient times. There were no modern technological systems in the past, and journalism had a great impact on society. Calligraphy started many years ago. The leaf of a palm/ola tree was the origin of palm leaf manuscripts. The collection of palm leaves or the arrangement of palm leaves is known as the a book of ola leaves, a book of talipot or a book of palm leaves. This paper discusses the origin of calligraphy and the expansion to the modern writing system of Sri Lanka. It will be helpful to get to know the status of traditional system of writing on palm leaf and journalism in Ceylon.