12,104
edits
No edit summary  | 
				m (Edited History and Timeline)  | 
				||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
==History==  | ==History==  | ||
Sri Lanka was known from the beginning of British colonial rule as Ceylon, US also /seɪˈlɒn/). A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century to obtain political independence, which was granted in 1948; the country became a republic and adopted its current name in 1972. Sri Lanka's recent history has been marred by a 26-year civil war, which decisively ended when the Sri Lanka Armed Forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009.  | |||
After years of agitation, Ceylon was granted independence in 1948.  However, conflicts between Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Christians continues.  In 1972, Ceylon became a democratic socialists republic, and the name Sri Lanka was chosen to replace Ceylon.  | |||
The current constitution stipulates the political system as a republic and a unitary state governed by a semi-presidential system. It has had a long history of international engagement. Along with the Maldives, Sri Lanka is one of only two South Asian countries rated high on the Human Development Index , with its rating and per capita income the highest among South Asian nations. The Sri Lankan constitution accords Buddhism the foremost place, although it does not identify it as a state religion. Buddhism is given special privileges in the Sri Lankan constitution.  | |||
After years of agitation, Ceylon was granted independence in 1948.  However, conflicts between Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Christians continues.  In 1972, Ceylon became a democratic socialists republic, and the name Sri Lanka   | |||
The island is home to many cultures, languages and ethnicities. The majority of the population is from the Sinhalese ethnicity, while a large minority of Tamils have also played an influential role in the island's history. Moors, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and the indigenous Vedda are also established groups on the island.  | |||
<br>  | |||
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka]  | |||
==Timeline==  | ==Timeline==  | ||
1517 - The Portuguese built a fort at the port city of Colombo and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas<br>  | |||
==External Links==  | ==External Links==  | ||
edits