Faithful to Scripture
The aim is to communicate the meaning of the original biblical texts with care. The SCV is not a translation of the English NIV; it is a Sinhala translation of the Bible from its original languages.
The Holy Bible in contemporary Sinhala
God’s Word.
Close to the heart.
A faithful invitation to encounter Jesus Christ through Scripture, in clear, natural Sinhala. The fruit of more than forty years of prayerful translation and careful review.
40+ yearsA journey of faithful service
BiblicaThe International Bible Society
සිංහල කාලීන පරිවර්තනයSinhala Contemporary Version · SCV
A gift to read and live
The ancient message.
The language of today.
The Sinhala Contemporary Version brings the message of Scripture to today’s Sinhala readers. Prepared through the work of IBS Lanka in collaboration with Biblica, it serves personal reading, family worship, teaching and the life of the church.
Clear in Sinhala
Natural, contemporary language helps readers follow the message while taking its meaning seriously. Clarity serves understanding, reflection and faithful living.
A gift alongside others
We give thanks for every faithful translation through which people come to know Christ. The SCV is offered alongside the Sinhala Bibles already loved and used by our churches.
Care in every stage
Faithfulness takes
time and care.
Biblica publishes the SCV and stewards the English New International Version. The Sri Lankan work brings together biblical understanding, Sinhala language expertise and international translation consultancy.
Attend to the meaning
Drafting and review consider the original biblical languages and the context of each passage. The purpose is to hear what the text says, rather than impose what we wish it to say.
Review together
Committee review brings different areas of biblical and language knowledge to the text. Repeated revision helps test meaning, expression and consistency.
Seek experienced counsel
The project has drawn on Biblica’s technical resources and translation consultants. Paratext has supported the work of checking and refining the translation.
Listen and refine
Sinhala language consultants have helped the team consider contemporary expression. Decades of careful revision have sought greater clarity without losing faithfulness.
Biblica’s shared commitment is accurate, clear Scripture in the languages people use. The SCV and NIV are distinct translations with their own teams and histories.
Explore Biblica’s translation approachMore than forty years
Many years of service.
One enduring purpose.
The SCV grew through patient work across generations. We remember with gratitude those who began the work, those who carried it forward, and those who did not live to hold the finished Bible.
1980s
The work begins
A long-term commitment to serve Sinhala readers through a fresh translation of Scripture.
Through the years
Review and refinement
Drafts, committee review, language consultation and international translation expertise shape the text.
2022
The New Testament
The SCV New Testament dedication was held on 2 December 2022 at BMICH, Colombo.
2026
The complete printed Bible
The full Bible launch is planned for 21 November at Kollupitiya Methodist Church.
The work is offered in gratitude to God. Its purpose is that readers may know Jesus Christ, grow in faith and live by His Word.
Remembering His faithfulness
The 2022 New Testament dedication
Watch the previous SCV launch on IBS Lanka’s YouTube channel, ibslanka. Join us in remembering this milestone with gratitude to God.
Visit IBS Lanka on YouTubeThe Scriptures point us to Christ
Open the Word.
Draw near to the living Christ.
The risen Jesus opened the Scriptures to His disciples. Our prayer is that, as we read, our hearts too would be awakened to Him—and our lives shaped by His grace and truth.
Read Luke 24 in the SCVBegin with the Word
Read slowly.
Listen prayerfully.
Live faithfully.
The complete SCV is available through YouVersion. Begin with a Gospel, return to a familiar Psalm, or follow a passage with your family or church.
As you read, consider the passage in its context. Ask what it reveals about God, how it points to Christ, and how you are called to respond in faith and love.
Tamil-speaking visitors can also explore Biblica’s separate Sri Lankan Tamil translation, TRV. The Tamil pages of this website describe the Sinhala SCV; they are not a Tamil translation of its biblical text.
Explore Biblica’s Tamil Bible
Read on YouVersion
සිංහල කාලීන පරිවර්තනය
The Holy Bible · Sinhala Contemporary Version
Read the SCVReading links open the authorised SCV on YouVersion. This website does not distribute Bible text files or downloads.
Printed Bible
Bring the Word
into more homes.
Back to the Bible will manage inventory and sales of the printed SCV Bible.
CopiesDiscountPrice per copy
1–9—Rs. 1,800
10–9910%Rs. 1,620
100 or more15%Rs. 1,530
For availability and orders, please contact Back to the Bible.
Giving thanks together
A Bible for the
life of the church.
God willing, we look forward to giving thanks for the complete printed SCV Bible and for the generations of service behind it.
21 November 2026
Kollupitiya Methodist Church, Colombo
Colombo
Colombo
Planned full Bible launch. Service time and attendance details will be announced when confirmed.
For readers and church leaders
A few honest
answers.
Is the SCV a Sinhala translation of the NIV?
No. The SCV and NIV share Biblica’s commitment to faithful, understandable Scripture, but they are distinct translations. The SCV’s preface describes consideration of the original Hebrew and Greek texts, with the NIV also used as a reference.
Why another Sinhala Bible?
A mature church can benefit from reading more than one faithful translation. Language changes, and a fresh rendering can help readers attend again to a familiar passage. We honour the service of those who have brought Scripture to Sinhala readers before us.
What do you believe about the Bible?
We receive the Scriptures as God’s inspired Word, given to make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ and to equip us for faithful living (2 Timothy 3:15–17). We affirm the inspiration and inerrancy of the original writings. Translation is a human responsibility requiring care, humility and a willingness to correct mistakes.
Can a translation still be improved?
Yes. No translation team claims the perfection of the original inspired writings for its own work. Questions about wording should be considered patiently in their literary and historical context, with attention to the original languages.
Can I download the Bible from this website?
This website provides links to the authorised SCV reader. It does not offer Bible text downloads. Permissions for reproduction and distribution are governed by Biblica’s terms.
Who is behind this work?
International Bible Society Lanka (IBS Lanka) has worked with Biblica on the SCV over many years. Biblical and Sinhala language expertise, committee review and international consultancy have contributed to the work. Our gratitude extends to all who served; the glory belongs to God.