PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR ARWI MANUSCRIPTS AT THE SOUTH EASTERN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA LIBRARY

Abstract

Arwi manuscripts, essential repositories of Sri Lanka's indigenous knowledge, have historically served as vital conduits for sharing information. Ancients freely recorded their wealth of local wisdom within these manuscripts. However, today, there's a looming threat of their extinction. To combat this, the Library of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka initiated a comprehensive project focused on preserving and conserving Arwi manuscripts. This ambitious undertaking aims to safeguard indigenous knowledge for future generations. It commenced with the systematic collection and physical conservation of scattered Arwi manuscripts across Sri Lanka. Concurrently, a Preservation and Conservation unit was established within the library, not only for Arwi manuscripts but also for rare books. The project employed established conservation techniques tailored to the specific defects observed in the manuscripts. Subsequently, preservation methods suitable for local environmental conditions were implemented. As a final step, the entire collection of manuscripts was digitized, granting researchers access in accordance with established policies.