Excerpt from A Comprehensive Grammar of the Sinhalese Language: Adapted for the Use of English Readers and Prescribed for the Civil Service Examinations HE absence of a comprehensive Grammar of the Sinhalese Language suited to the requirements of English readers suggested to me some years ago the desirability of preparing such a work. The manuscript was completed in June, 1885. In 1888 sanction was obtained for its being printed at the Govern ment Press. Since then various causes have delayed its issue. Whatever leisure I have been able, as a Government Official, to devote to literary work, has not been spared in a conscientious endeavour to render the book worthy of its object. I humbly trust that my efforts have not been altogether unsuccessful. In the preparation of the present Grammar I have availed myself of several works on Sinhalese Grammar, by both ancient and modern authors. It has been written in a form best adapted to suit those who are familiar with European Grammars. Owing to the multiplicity of ex amples and explanations, and the introduction of some matter not perhaps strictly appertaining to the province of a Grammar, but likely to be of use, its scope has exceeded the bounds originally contemplated. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.