A BRIEF HISTORY OF SRI LANKA

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Ancient and Medieval Periods

• Prehistoric Era: Archaeological evidence suggests human settlements dating back over 125,000 years.

• Early Kingdoms (543 BCE - 1200 CE): The first recorded kingdom, Anuradhapura, was established in 543 BCE by Prince Vijaya from India. Buddhism was introduced in the 3rd century BCE, shaping Sri Lankan culture. The capital later moved to Polonnaruwa in the 11th century.

• Chola Invasion (10th-11th century): South Indian Chola rulers briefly controlled parts of the island before Sinhalese kings regained power.

Colonial Rule (1505-1948)

• Portuguese Rule (1505-1658): The Portuguese arrived and took control of coastal areas, spreading Christianity.

• Dutch Rule (1658-1796): The Dutch ousted the Portuguese and ruled until the British took over.

• British Rule (1796-1948): The British unified the island as Ceylon, developed tea and rubber plantations, and built infrastructure. Nationalist movements grew in the early 20th century.

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Independence and Modern Era (1948-Present)

• Independence (1948): Ceylon gained independence from Britain.

• Ethnic Conflict (1983-2009): Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority led to a brutal civil war between the government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), ending in 2009.

• Recent Developments: The country has faced economic crises, political upheavals, and recovery efforts, remaining a key player in South Asian geopolitics.​​​​​​​​​​​​​