Asia/Southern Asia
Sri Lanka
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
21.8 Mio
65 610 km²
Sri Lankan rupee
Coastal
Sinhala, Tamil
Historical Events
29 BCE - Fourth Buddhist Council
The earliest known Buddhist writings in Sri Lanka, known as the Pali Canon, were recorded.
1505 - Portuguese Arrival
The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka seeking control over maritime trade amid political upheaval.
1658 - Dutch Control
After the Sinhalese–Portuguese War, the Dutch and Kingdom of Kandy took control over Portuguese areas.
1815 - British Ceylon Established
The British extended their control over Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of British Ceylon.
1948 - Independence from Britain
Sri Lanka gained independence as a dominion from British rule.
1972 - Becoming a Republic
Sri Lanka formally became a republic, changing its name from Ceylon.
1983 - Civil War Begins
A long Civil War commenced, lasting for 26 years and marked by conflict between the government and Tamil rebels.
2009 - End of Civil War
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, ending the protracted conflict.