An ancient Ola leaf original copy of the “Mahavamsa” (Great Chronicle) currently kept at the library of the University of Peradeniya is to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage. The decision has been reached by UNESCO experts upon verifying that all sections of the “Mahavamsa” (the written historyof ancient Sri Lanka) were correctly conserved at the University Library, Prof. Upul Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University told the media yesterday.
Representatives of UNESCO have inspected other “Mahavamsa” palm-leaf books located at various places in the country, but due to their shortcomings, they were deemed not eligible for World Heritage status. “Mahavamsa” is believed to have been written by Bhikku Mahanama in the 5th or 6th Century.