Sinhala is a script that is primarily used for writing the Sinhala language, which is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese people, the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Brahmic family of scripts and has its origins in the ancient Brahmi script, evolving over centuries into its present form. Sinhala is an abugida, which means it is a writing system in which each consonant has an inherent vowel sound that can be altered or muted by using diacritical marks. The script is noted for its rounded characters, which are a result of the historical practice of writing on palm leaves, where sharp angles would tear the writing surface.
The Unicode block designated for the Sinhala script ranges from U+0D80 to U+0DFF and includes characters that represent the distinct phonetic elements of the Sinhala language. Beyond its immediate use for the Sinhala language, the script also serves as a medium for Pali and Sanskrit, which are languages of religious significance in Sri Lankan Buddhist texts. The inclusion of Sinhala in the Unicode standard has facilitated its use in digital formats, allowing for the language's broader representation and preservation in today's technology-driven world. As a script, Sinhala not only encompasses a linguistic identity but also carries cultural and historical significances that reflect the heritage and traditions of the island nation.
Below you will find all the characters that are in the 'Sinhala' unicode script category. Currently there are 111 characters in this category.