What is the former name of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka was known as British Ceylon from 1815 -- the beginning of British occupation -- until they achieved their independence in 1948. It was then known as Ceylon until 1972 when it was officially changed to a "republic within a Commonwealth" and the name became Sri Lanka.

The majority of the people there are Buddhist, but there are many Hindus, also. Sri Lanka's economy is primarily agricultural with their main export being tea. In fact, they became the world's greatest tea exporter in 1965.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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16 Comments

Ann Fountain

Serendib, also spelled Serendip, Arabic Sarandīb, name for the island of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The name, Arabic in origin, was recorded in use at least as early as ad 361 and for a time gained considerable currency in the West. It is best known to speakers of English through the word serendipity, invented in the 18th century by the English man of letters Horace Walpole on the inspiration of a Persian fairy tale, “The Three Princes of Serendip,” whose heroes often made discoveries by chance.

Louella Wilson

Ann Fountain, does the name relate to serendipitous? Or vice versa.

Louella Wilson

George Oliver Prince, Myrmar? Myanmar maybe.

Cheryl Perkins

An easy 5 points.

Denise Currie

My great aunt was English Ceylonese. Her father was a British Serviceman who married a beautiful lady from Ceylon. My great aunt had her mothers genes, she was beautiful too. I still use her mum's recipe when I make a curry

David Holmes

Baron Byron Greenback, Not the actual name, Ceylon was the name given by the colonial authorities.

Naseer A Malik

I have visited this beautiful island country, I remember in early 1950s the radio Ceylon, if I am right, was the only commercial radio station and used to be heard throughout India and Pakistan it only broadcast Indian filmy songs no news etc.