Tuesday, July 8, 2025

’Mahawanshaya’ declared a Word Documentary Heritage by UNESCO

Must Read

The ‘Mahawanshaya’, one of the world’s longest unbroken historical accounts presenting Sri Lanka’s history in chronological order from the 6th century BCE, has been included by UNESCO in the list of the 64 new items of documentary heritage inscribed on the Memory of the World International Register in 2023.

“One of the world’s longest unbroken historical accounts, the Mahavamsa is the first of its kind in South Asia, initiating a mature historiographic tradition, presenting Sri Lanka’s history in a chronological order from the 6th century BCE,” the UNESCO said.

“The authenticity of the facts provided in the document has been confirmed through archaeological research conducted in Sri Lanka and India. It is an important historical source in South Asia containing crucial information about the lifetime of the Buddha, the Emperor Asoka and the rise of Buddhism as a world religion. The document played a significant role in popularizing Buddhism in Southeast Asia and contributed singularly to the identity of Emperor Asoka in Indian history. 

The existence of a number of manuscripts of the Mahavamsa in several countries as well as the transliteration and translation of the text to several Southeast Asian and European languages stand testimony to its immense historical, cultural, literal, linguistic and scholarly values,” it added.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -Windows 11 is at the Lowest Price Ever — $29.99!

Latest News

Sri Lanka Introduces 18% VAT on Foreign Digital Service Providers in 2025

Sri Lanka Imposes 18% VAT on Cross-Border Digital Services Provided from 1st October 2025 New VAT Compliance Framework for Non-Resident Digital...
- Advertisement -

More Articles Like This

- Advertisement -