History of Sri Lanka
This beautiful South Asian island is known as 'the Pearl of the Indian Ocean', Sri Lanka. Its history and cultural heritage goes back more than 3,000 years.
Early Civilization
Settlements by humans in Sri Lanka are evidenced to have originated around 10,000 BC. The Legend has it that the first inhabitants of this island nation were the Veddahs, an indigenous people still living in remote areas of Sri Lanka. It was simple living, and they were hunter-gatherers. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in 543 BC by the son of Emperor Ashoka India. It has had a great effect on the culture and lifestyle of the country.
Kingdoms and Invasions
There has long been a history of kingdoms being invaded in Sri Lanka. King Pandukabhaya, who ruled between 377 and 367 BC, is thought to have been the founder of the first major kingdom in 377 BC and the capital city, Anuradhapura. Several other kingdoms followed it for more than a century, the Chola dynasty of South India. When the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505, they began to colonize certain parts of the island. Dutch rule came in the 17th century, and British rule in the 19th century followed this. The British brought Railways and roads, but they also exploited her resources.
Toponymy
The name Sri Lanka represents Sri Lanka's rich, diverse cultural heritage. The country's name changed from 'Taprobane' for the ancient Greeks and 'Serendib' for Arabs. During colonial rule, it became "Ceylon" and acquired its official name of Sri Lanka in 1972.
Ancient history
Rich ancient history is evident in the number of archaeological sites and ruins across the country. Among the several world-famous tourist attractions, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa and Kandy, the ancient cities of Sri Lanka are UNESCO world heritage sites, which attract many tourists to Sri Lanka from around the world. These cities used to be bustling centers of trade, religion and culture.
Colonialism and Independence
For over 450 years, Sri Lanka was colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and British combined. The country came into existence in 1948 after being accorded independence through a peaceful struggle under the leadership of representatives such as D.S. Senanayake and Don Stephen Jayewardene, as much as the colonial effects still pervade the Sri Lankan imperial society.
Post-classical period
This number of developments in Literature, art, and architecture occurred in the post-classical period of Sri Lanka. The Pali Canon (oldest Buddhist text in the world) has a long tradition of Literature dating back to the 3rd century BC. Identified with Buddhism is so strong that the entire art produced in Sri Lanka is permeated. Buddhist temples, sculptures, and paintings abound. In architecture, impressive structures such as the Sigiriya rock fortress, the Kandy Lake, and ancient irrigation systems emerged during this period.
Modern period
After its independence as a dominion within the Commonwealth in 1948 and becoming a republic in 1972, Sri Lanka is where we study the disasters. Civil war and natural disasters have plagued the country since. However, it has also registered very good progress in other areas, namely, education, healthcare and infrastructure. To this end, Sri Lanka is a vibrant and diverse nation blending ancient culture and present-day customs. It has beautiful landscapes, history, and a warm hospitality that attracts tourists.
Contemporary history
Sri Lanka has moved along the lines of economic development and political stability over the past few decades. Agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries (mainly tourism) are the main bases of the country's economy. Despite this, it has also seen the tsunami of 2004 and more than two decades of civil war. The civil war ended back in 2009 when the government declared victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). After that, Sri Lanka has been on a road to reconciliation and rebuilding.
J.R. Jayewardene is one of the most influential leaders in Sri Lanka's recent history and the country's second President between 1978 and 1989. He also put measures into economic reforms, which allowed the country's economy to open up and encouraged foreign investment. This time, a major advancement was made in the tourism and manufacturing industries. We also have Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who became the world's first female Prime Minister. She was Prime Minister three times and played roles in education, social welfare, and foreign policy.
Geography and Climate
Sri Lanka's geography includes mountain ranges, jungles and sandy beaches. Tropical climate is found in the country with clear dry and wet seasons. It has been declared a biodiversity hot spot because it is home to many of the flora and fauna found in Sri Lanka, including endemic species such as the Sri Lankan elephant and lion.
Climate
The period is influenced by the monsoon winds that bring moisture to Sri Lanka from two opposite directions. Monsoon seasons in the country are two – the southwest monsoon season, extending from May to September, and the northeast monsoon season from October to January. On the south and west of Sri Lanka, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, while the northeast monsoon affects the east and north. The central highlands are lush green as they receive rain all year long.
Flora and fauna
Because almost 30 per cent of the land is in forests, Sri Lanka has plenty of bio diversities – lots of different animals and plant species. It is an island nation with many plant and animal species, some of which are endemic. It is home to well-known wildlife, such as elephants, leopards, sloth bears and many bird species. With dolphins, whales and sea turtles seen off its coast, it also has an impressive marine life.
Government
Sri Lanka has a unitary state government and is a democratic republic. The President, the Head of State and Government, exercises executive power as head of a government, including the Prime Minister. It is a multi-party political system with elections held every five years. The political landscape has been dominated by the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), yet. Recently, there has been much demand for constitutional reforms addressing government corruption and minority rights.
Politics
Ever since its independence, Sri Lanka has been severely divided along some ethnic and religious lines, and that has inevitably been reflected in its politics. The divisions were such that these formed the basis of the country's civil war because LTTE wanted an independent state for the Tamil minority. After the end of the civil war, some efforts have been initiated to reconcile and deal with these problems through projects like the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR). But it's still slow progress, and there's still a lot of work to be done in that regard.
The new President of Sri Lanka was elected in November 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He was a brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a former defense secretary .But from 2005 to 2015, Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current prime minister, served as president. The current government has implemented certain tax cuts and infrastructure development projects. However, it has also been criticized for treating minority rights and press freedom. The next Presidential election that should change Sri Lanka's politics will be in 2025. Of course, how the country's government and political system adapts and thrives in the face of new challenges remains to be seen.
Administrative divisions
There are nine provinces and twenty-five districts in the nation. The provincial council is responsible for the region's administration; each province has a provincial council. The districts are divided into 331 divisional secretariats, each responsible for local administration and service delivery to the public.
Provinces
The nine provinces that collectively comprise Sri Lanka are Central, Eastern, Northern, North Central, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western. Sri Lanka is a culturally diverse country with unique culture and traditions.
The districts and local authorities
District secretaries, appointed by the central government, are the local authority to govern the 25 districts of Sri Lanka. The administration of each district is carried out at the divisional secretariat and grama niladhari divisional levels. Further, local authorities like municipal councils, urban councils, and pradeshiya sabhas (village councils) provide the most essential services for their constituency. This category includes waste management, road maintenance, and water supply.
Foreign relations
Many of the countries have established diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka. India is the neighboring country with the closest economic and political ties. However, it also closely ties with China, Japan, and other Southeast Asian countries. The country also hosts a large expatriate community in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Military
The Army, Navy, and Air Force make up Sri Lanka's armed forces. They ended the country's civil war and still maintained internal security. In addition, the military has a strong role in disaster relief in disaster-prone Sri Lanka, which often experiences floods and landslides.
Economy
Whether they were forced to cut down on the number of trips they were taking, their income from their main industries, which included tourism, apparel manufacturing, agriculture, and tea production, had been steady. Yet, the country has problems like high public debt levels and income inequality. Initiatives are being made to diversify the economy and draw foreign investment through business tax incentives. Sri Lanka's location and natural beauty mean huge potential for future economic growth and development.
Transport
The main ways, however, are through roadways, which are served by a network of main highways connecting almost every major city and town. The country also has a rail system, which includes the most famous Colombo–Kandy line that runs through winding hills and fields of tea plantations. A few international airports in Sri Lanka, such as Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, fly the Asian and European routes of countries. There are also domestic flights available in the country.
Biological agriculture transition
Recently, Sri Lanka has been moving towards a sustainable and organic agriculture agenda. Lastly, the government has programs to encourage biological farming methods that reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In addition to helping the environment, this transition is also beneficial for small-scale farmers as it helps them increase yields while decreasing production costs. It also encourages consumers to make better food choices.
Tourism
Sri Lanka is a popular travel destination with stunning beaches, historic sites, and a wide variety of wildlife. In 2019, over 2 million tourists came to the country, which means tourism serves an important part of the economy. However, the tourism sector suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has undertaken safety measures and is looking towards reviving this important part of the economy.
Demographics
With a population of about 22 million persons, more than 74% are Sinhalese, 15% Tamils, 9% Muslims, and 2% others. English, which is widely spoken in urban areas, Sinhala, and Tamil are the official languages. Additionally, the nation's free education system has contributed to its high 92% literacy rate. Yet, the world still is a long way off for gender equality in education and employment opportunities for women.
Culture
Most of the population practices Buddhism, a religion that greatly influences Sri Lankan culture. Because of many ethnic and religious groups, the country has a diverse cultural heritage. Festivals, celebrations and many festivals are celebrated throughout the year, and traditional arts, crafts, music, and dance are an integral part of Sri Lanka's culture. Spicy cuisine influences from India and Southeast Asia make the country famous.
Largest cities
The capital and commercial hub, Colombo, is the largest city in Sri Lanka. Major other cities are Kandy, Galle, Jaffna and Kurunegala. In addition to its varied history and culture, Sri Lanka has stunning natural surroundings. Therefore, there is no place like Sri Lanka. The country is facing many challenges, but it is doing OK and changing, and it's an exciting place to be.
Languages
The Indian Ocean nation of Sri Lanka is officially Sinhala and Tamil, with English widely used in business and education. Minority groups also speak Arabic, Malay, and Chinese.
Education
In Sri Lankan culture, education is highly valued, offering a completely free education system from primary through to university levels. Even though the country's literacy is 92%, it still has the scope to improve gender equality in education and quality education in rural areas. Further, the country is home to several prestigious universities, such as the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya. However, there is a brain drain problem since many highly gifted people prefer to continue their studies in developed countries.
Religion
Sri Lanka has the biggest Buddhist population, with 70% being Buddhists. Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism are important other religions. Sri Lankans from different faiths observe various religious festivals and celebrations, and religious tolerance is a major part of Sri Lankan society. However, there have also been tensions between different religious groups in the country's history.
Sports
The biggest game in Sri Lanka is cricket. With that said, Sri Lanka's national team has also achieved success on the international stage. Popular other sports are rugby, football, and volleyball. The country has also developed its Olympic medalist in track and field and boxing events. Sri Lankans rely heavily on sports to unite and push them in high spirits.
Health
Life expectancy in Sri Lanka has reached 76 years, thanks to many years of development in the country's healthcare system. The country also has a high vaccination rate and a strong public health infrastructure. Healthcare access in remote areas and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are on the rise. These efforts are to solve these problems, including free healthcare for pregnant women and children under five.
Environmental challenges
Sri Lanka is beautiful by nature but plagued by environmental problems, which include deforestation, air pollution, and water scarcity. The government has undertaken policies and programs for sustainable development and environmental protection. Efforts are made to resolve problems of waste management and conservation of biodiversity. Sri Lanka is caught up in a growing awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability and moving towards a greener future.
Human rights and media
Human rights progress is present in Sri Lanka, but there remain concerns over, among other things, freedom of expression and media independence. These concerns have set forth steps for the government, such as the Right to Information Act. Although the country is struggling with accountability for human rights abuses and discrimination towards minority groups, Sri Lanka civil society organizations have been at the forefront in advocacy for human rights and press freedom.
Food and festivals
Sri Lankan food features diverse flavors and spices made with a fusion of Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and British cuisines. Staple foods are rice and curry, but other popular snacks include hoppers (a type of pancake) and kottu roti (chopped flatbread stir fry). Furthermore, the country has a few festivals to look forward to each year, including Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Vesak (Buddhist festival), Ramadan (Islamic festival) and Christmas. They serve great cultural diversity and are fests that unite people.
Visual, literary and performing arts
Sri Lanka has a rich cultural heritage expressed in the country's visual, literary, and performing arts. Traditional musical instruments like Kandyan, low country dances and even Kollam are still practiced. There is also a sufficiently energetic contemporary art scene in the country, with many galleries supporting and displaying the works of local artists. Apart from this, Literature is also an important part of Sri Lankan culture, and writers explore identity and post-colonialism as themes. A noble person will certainly agree that music has a big part in everyday actions, from religious chants to popular songs played on the radio.
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