Sinhala is the official language of which among the following countries?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

MP Police Constable 2023 Official Paper (Held On: 01 Sept, 2023 Shift 2)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Sri Lanka.

Key Points

Sinhala is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka, alongside Tamil.
It is primarily spoken by the Sinhalese ethnic group, who make up around 74% of the country's population.
The Sri Lankan Constitution recognizes Sinhala as the official language under Article 18, while Tamil is also designated as a national language.
Sinhala has a rich literary tradition dating back over 2,000 years and uses the Sinhala script, which is derived from the ancient Brahmi script.
The language is an integral part of Sri Lanka's cultural and national identity, influencing its arts, traditions, and education systems.

Additional Information

Sinhala Script: It is an abugida writing system derived from Brahmi, primarily used for Sinhala and Pali languages.
Historical Context: Sinhala has been used as a medium for Buddhist scriptures and ancient chronicles like the "Mahavamsa," which chronicles Sri Lanka's history.
Demographics: Tamil, the other national language of Sri Lanka, is predominantly spoken by Tamil ethnic groups and Muslims, constituting about 26% of the population.
Language Policy: Post-independence, the Official Language Act of 1956 declared Sinhala as the sole official language, which later sparked ethnic tensions and reforms to include Tamil.
UNESCO Recognition: Certain Sinhala literary works and manuscripts are recognized as part of world heritage for their cultural and historical significance.