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Moodle language pack

Here is the complete guide to installing the language pack

Step 1: Install the Sinhala /Tamil Language Pack in Moodle

  1. Login as Admin to your Moodle site.

  2. Go to Site administration > Language > Language packs.

  3. Find Sinhala (si) Tamil (ta_lk) in the available language list.

  4. Select it and click Install selected language pack.
  5. Once installed, go to Site administration > Language > Language settings.
  6. Set Default language to Sinhala (si) or Tamil (ta_lk).
  7. Click Save changes.
  8. Change the Language image image

Step 2: Allow Sinhala/Tamil Text Input

Since Moodle does not translate typed text, you need a Sinhala/Tamil keyboard.

Enable Sinhala/Tamil Keyboard on Your Computer

For Windows

  1. Open Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
  2. Click Add a language, search for Sinhala/Tamil, and install it.
  3. Select Keyboard options → Choose Sinhala Wijesekara or Sinhala Phonetic.
  4. Switch between English/Sinhala using Alt + Shift or Win + Space.

For Ubuntu/Linux

  1. Install Sinhala keyboard: bash sudo apt install ibus-m17n
  2. Go to Settings > Region & Language.
  3. Click + Add Input Source, search for Sinhala, and select it.
  4. Switch languages with Super (Windows key) + Space.

For macOS

  1. Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
  2. Click +, choose Sinhala/Tamil, and select a layout.
  3. Switch between languages using Command + Space.

Step 3: Clear Moodle Cache

To apply changes, purge caches: - Go to Site administration > Development > Purge caches. - Click Purge all caches.

Troubleshoot options

If 504 error occurs (in the testbed environment), restart services:

bash rc-service nginx restart rc-service php-fpm82 restart

Manual Installation (If the server has no internet)

  1. Download the Sinhala language pack manually from:
    👉 https://download.moodle.org/langpack/4.3/
    (Select si.zip for Sinhala)

Verify Sinhala Text Rendering in Moodle

If Sinhala text does not display correctly: 1. Use Google Input Tools
- Visit Google Input Tools - Select Sinhala and type.

  1. Use Online Sinhala Transliteration Tools
  2. Google Translate

  3. Sinhala Unicode Converter

  4. Install Sinhala Unicode Fonts

  5. For Alpine Linux: bash apk add fonts-noto
  6. For Windows/macOS:
    Download Sinhala fonts from UCSC.