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Sri Lanka was known by many names bestowed by delighted travelers in history
The Arabs called it 'Serendip' - the land of delightful unexpected discoveries
The British called it Ceylon
The Asians called it Lanka - meaning beautiful
The Silk Route travelers called it The Pearl of the Indian Ocean
We call it Home
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Sri Lanka - History Dateline
Sri Lankan history - 24 centuries of monarchy ruled by 185 Kings from 543 BC - 1815 AD
In 543 BC - Prince Vijaya from India arrived with his entourage of 700 and became the 1 st King by marrying a native princess.
In 437 BC - Anuradhapura was made the 1 st capital of the island by King Pandukabhaya
In 248 BC - Arahat Mahinda the son of India’s Emperor Ashoka brought Buddhism to the island in Anuradhapura at Mihintale which still stands today in silent testimony.
In 260 BC - Sangamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka of India arrived in Anuradhapura with a branch of the Bo-tree under which Price Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment. This tree stands even today at the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura and is the oldest authenticated tree in the world
In 205 BC - Elara from Chola country in South India invades the island, captures Anuradhapura and rules for 44 years
In 161 BC - King Dutugemunu considered the most famous warrior Sinhalese King defeats Elara in battle and regains sovereignity for the island
In 991 AD - the Cholas invade the country for the second time capturing Anuradhapura. The Sinhala King moved the capital to Polonnaruwa
In 1056 AD - King Vijayabahu 1 drives the Cholas out of the island ending their 75-year reign and regains sovreignity for the island.
In 1153 AD - King Parakramabahu I ascends the throne in Polonnaruwa. Most of the ruins of Polonnaruwa seen today and the gigantic Parakrama Samudra tank were built during his 33-years reign
1215 AD - the capital shifts out of Polonnaruwa to Dambadeniya. Thereafter until 1514 AD the capital shifted to Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola and Kotte as Kings reigned from areas they felt safe in during invasions and battles.
In 1344 AD - Ibn Batuta renowned world explorer visits the island
In 1505 AD - sees the first Colonial influence in the island with the visit of The Portuguese in Galle. Amongst many influences in culture and religion was the introduction of Christianity and Catholic Churches to the island
In 1514 AD - Kandy is established as the capital with the Sinhala Kings retreating into the mountains from the colonial invaders. For the next 300 years the Kandyan Kings successfully repelled many attempts by the Europeans to capture the hill country of the island.
In 1656 the Dutch arrive in Sri Lanka. The Kings of Sri Lanka agree to support the Dutch to oust the Portuguese. However by 1658 AD the Dutch took over the coastal areas of the island and captured all the Maritime Provinces. The Galle Fort originally built by the Portuguese was re-built into a larger and heavily fortified base and was very strategic to their command over the southern coastal belt. This Fort remains today and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1796 AD - The British arrive in the island and after fierce land and sea battles oust the Dutch and take over all areas in the island held under the Dutch government
In 1802 - AD Sri Lanka becomes a crown colony under the British Empire
In 1815 AD - the Kandyan King is captured by the British as a result of a plot. Sri Lanka’s monarchy which endured 24-centuries and saw the reign of 185 Kings comes to an end. The British Governor General is appointed by the monarchy of Britain as the Supreme Power in the island. In the next 133 years of British rule saw several developments in the country such as building of main roads and railways, the introduction of laws governing civil processes, establishment of Postal systems, development of the Colombo and Trincomalee Harbor, Education systems and the establishment of major Educational institutions like schools & Universities, the establishment of Tea Plantations, the introduction of Golf and more. It was also a period marked with rebellions and draconian colonial rule.
In 1948 AD – Ceylon as it was then called was granted independence from the British Empire and the first Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mr. D. S. Senanayake was appointed.
In 1972 AD – The name Ceylon is officially changed to Sri Lanka and the country becomes a Republic.
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