The Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, is one of the world’s longest continuous historical records, covering a period from the 6th century BCE to 1815 CE. It is the earliest example of a mature historiographic tradition in South Asia, presenting Sri Lanka’s history in a clear chronological sequence. The credibility of its accounts has been corroborated through extensive archaeological and epigraphical research in Sri Lanka and India. It is now preserved in the University of Peradeniya.

As a primary historical source in South Asia, the Mahavamsa provides vital information on the life of the Buddha, the reign of Emperor Asoka, and the spread of Buddhism as a global religion. It played a crucial role in the dissemination of Buddhism in Southeast Asia and significantly shaped the historical identity of Emperor Asoka in Indian history. The narratives of the Mahavamsa have inspired generations of Asian chroniclers, painters, and sculptors, leading to literary, artistic, and sculptural works of exceptional value.

The wide survival of manuscripts across many countries, along with numerous translations and transliterations into Southeast Asian and European languages, reflects its outstanding historical, cultural, literary, linguistic, and scholarly significance. For Sri Lankans, the Mahavamsa remains a living document, symbolizing their origins, historical evolution, and cultural identity.