Sri Lankan Tamil literature

Sri Lankan Tamil literature or Ceylon Tamil literature refers to Tamil literature produced in the current day country of Sri Lanka by various Tamil speaking communities such as the Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan Muslims. Its legendary origins begin with what is considered to be the Sangam age and continued in the medieval era in the courts of the Jaffna kingdom until modern times. The burning of Jaffna library have led to loss of many Sri Lankan Tamil literature.

According to legends, the origin of 'Sri Lankan Tamil literature dates back to the Sangam age dated variously from 200 BCE to 600 CE. The poet known as Eelattu Poothanthevanar is believed to be a Tamil poet from this period.Verses in praise of Hindu deities are known to have been written in Hindu temples built by the Chola empire circa 11th century.

The medieval phase Tamil literature was produced in the courts of the native Jaffna kingdom. During the reign of Jayaveera Singaiariyan, a writing on medical sciences (Segarajasekaram), astrology (Segarajasekaramalai) and mathematics (Kanakathikaram) were authored by Karivaiya. During the rule of Kunaveera Singaiariyan, a work on medicine known as Pararajasekaram was completed. During Singai Pararasasekaran's rule, an academy for the propagation of Tamil language on the model of ancient Tamil Sangam's was established in Nallur. This academy performed a useful service in collecting and preserving ancient works in the form of manuscripts in a library called Saraswathy Mahal. Singai Pararasasekaran's cousin Arasakesari is credited with translating the Sanskrit classic Raghuvamsa into Tamil. Among other literary works of historic importance compiled before the arrival of European colonizers, Vaiyapatal, written by Vaiyapuri Aiyar, is well known.

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