Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in Sri Lanka. It is the mother tongue of the majority ethnic group, the Sinhalese, and has around 17 million speakers. The language has a rich literary history, with texts dating back over 2,000 years. The Sinhala script is derived from the ancient Brahmi script and consists of 60 letters, including vowels and consonants. It is used in various forms of communication, including literature, media, and education, making it an essential part of Sri Lankan culture and identity.