Indigenousknowledge of Medical Depicted in Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Palm Leaf Manuscript culture in Sri Lanka has a long history. According to Sri Lankan chronicles which were composed in 5th century A.C, writing on palm leaves has been started at least in the 1st century B.C. As mentioned in those chronicles, during the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya ^89-77 B.C.& Buddhist monks have used palm leaves to inscribe the doctrine of Buddha. But in the later periods in addition to the religious texts" secular subjects also were written on palm leaves, like indigenous medical practices, astrology, palmistry and various kinds of black magic etc. Indigenous medical practices include medical treatments for human as well as animals. The diearia, vomiting, snakebites, fever, mental disorders and more other day to day ailments were commonly treated. Faculty of Social Sciences" University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka has established a palm leaf manuscript study and research Library (PLMSRL) to preserve those manuscripts, because due to various causes they are being damaged. Now there are more than 3000 manuscripts copied and preserved. This research was carried out by using those manuscripts. The methodology used for this research is examine those manuscripts thoroughly and the main objective is to recognize the major areas of the indigenous knowledge which prevailed for more than twenty centuries throughout the history of Sri Lanka.