As a British crown colony, the island was known as Ceylon; it achieved independence as the Dominion of Ceylon in 1948. The country is now known in Sinhala as Śrī Laṅkā (Sinhala: …

Dec 14, 2025 · Ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane. Arabs referred to it as Serendib. Later European mapmakers called it Ceylon, a name still used occasionally for trade …

Apr 9, 2019 · Ceylon was a British crown colony that existed from 1815 to 1948 when it was granted independence and became an independent country within the Commonwealth of …

Dec 12, 2025 · Uncover the historical and political reasons behind the shift from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, and the enduring legacy of the colonial title.

Sri Lanka facts: Official web sites of Sri Lanka, the capital of Sri Lanka, art, culture, history, cities, airlines, embassies, tourist boards and newspapers

Discover why Sri Lanka was once called Ceylon, what the difference is, when the name changed, and what it represents in modern times.

Sri Lanka, [a] officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, [b] is an island country in South Asia. It is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of …

Explore the rich history of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) from ancient civilizations to modern times. Discover legendary kings, epic battles, cultural achievements, and the stories that shaped a nation over …

Oct 4, 2024 · 1972 - Ceylon becomes a republic and changes its name to Sri Lanka. Buddhism is given primary place as the country's religion, further antagonising Tamil minority.

Dec 13, 2025 · Sri Lanka has inherited the past name Ceylon, and the King of England concurrently served as King of Ceylon, becoming part of the British royal family's property.