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Overview
Sinhalese kingdoms centered at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa built Buddhist civilizations of vast reservoirs and stupas; the island was later ruled by Portuguese, Dutch and British.
Basic Information
CapitalColombo / Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Population22 million
Area65,610 km²
CurrencySri Lankan rupee (LKR)
LanguagesSinhala, Tamil
RegionSouth Asia
History Timeline
- c. 3rd c. BCEIntroduction of Buddhism by Mahinda
- c. 377 BCE – 1017 CEAnuradhapura Kingdom
- 1505Portuguese arrival
- 1815British complete conquest
- 1948Independence
- 1983 – 2009Civil war
Ancient Peoples
- Sinhalese
- Tamils
- Veddas
Ancient Kingdoms
- Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa
- Jaffna
- Kandy
Empires
- Chola Empire (occupation)
Religions
- Theravada Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Islam
- Christianity
Culture
Sinhalese chronicle Mahavamsa, Kandyan dance, Ceylon tea.
Language
Sinhala and Tamil are official.
Important Battles
- Battle of Vijithapurac. 161 BCE
Dutugamunu vs. Elara
Historical Figures
Dutugamunu
161 – 137 BCE
Sinhalese king
Parākramabāhu I
1153 – 1186
Polonnaruwa king
Archaeological Sites
- Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa
- Sigiriya
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura
- Sigiriya
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
- Golden Temple of Dambulla
Dynasties
- Anuradhapura
- Polonnaruwa
Colonial Period
Portuguese (1505), Dutch (1658), British (1796 – 1948).
Modern History
Democratic republic; ongoing post-war reconstruction.