Revitalization program on Ola-leaf writing skills, preparation & conservation

KANDY:A unique program will be launched on 14th March at the premises of the Malwatu Viharaya when the Project on the Revitalization of Ola-leaf Tradition will be undertaken by the Malwatu Maha Viharaya and the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya.

This six-month program is fully funded by UNESCO (Bangkok) while infrastructure support and resource persons will be provided by the Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya and the Sangharaja Pirivena of the Malwatu Maha Viharaya, Kandy.

The ceremony will be presided over by the Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayaka Thera of the Malwatta Chapter, while the Governor of the Central Province, the Chief Minister of the Cental Province, the Mayor of Kandy, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, DIG Central Range and Diyawadana Nilame will grace the occasion as special guests. The ceremony inducting the students for the program will commence at 3 pm.

Fifteen young monks will undergo the first phase of the course that includes theoretical aspects of traditional recording systems and subject matter, diverse forms of scripts found in the ola-leaf manuscripts, A to Z of ola-leaf preparation and processing, digital documentation and conservation systems.

Following the completion of the course the young monks will be awarded a Diploma Certificate by UNESCO (Bangkok). The project will be directed by Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne and Dr. Piyatissa Senanayake and coordinated by Ven Pahamune Sri Sumangala Nayaka Thera, Ms. Poornima Weerasinghe and Mr. H.G. Dayasisira.