history of Sri Lanka

Introduction
Sri Lanka’s prehistoric record
Early settlement and the spread of Buddhism
- Legendary origins
- Indo-Aryan settlement in Sri Lanka
- Conversion to Buddhism
Early growth and political centralization, c. 200 bce–1255 ce
- The Anuradhapura period
- The Polonnaruwa period
- Government and society
- The advent and impact of irrigation
- The fall of Polonnaruwa
Drift to the southwest (1255–1505)
- Political changes
- Social and economic changes
  - Collapse of the Dry Zone civilization
  - New cultivation techniques
  - Foreign trade
  - Land control
  - Cities
- Religious and ethnolinguistic changes
The Portuguese in Sri Lanka (1505–1658)
- The expansion of Portuguese control
- Kandy and its struggle with European powers
Dutch rule in Sri Lanka (1658–1796)
- Government
- Economy
- Law
- Religion
British Ceylon (1796–1900)
- Control of Kandy
- Social and administrative reforms
- Emergence of capitalist agriculture
Constitutionalism and nationalism (c. 1900–48)
- Constitutional reforms
- Growth of nationalist power
- Social and cultural changes
- Dominion status
Independent Ceylon (1948–71)
The Republic of Sri Lanka
- Civil war in Sri Lanka
  - Peace accord and discord
  - End of the war
- Aftermath and recovery
  - Reconstruction
  - Growing debt and instability
  - Ascent of the Rajapaksas and economic collapse

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images

Political map of Sri Lanka showing provincial boundaries, major cities, and surrounding bodies of water including the Laccadive Sea and Indian Ocean. The map includes a locator inset highlighting Sri Lanka's position just southeast of India.

Abhayagiri stupa, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

apsara figure in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Stone Buddha statue seated in meditation posture at the vatadage in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, with ancient brick ruins and blue sky in the background.

Ancient stone vatadage in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka, with a central seated Buddha statue, surrounded by stone pillars and staircases, under a partly cloudy sky.

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike seated at a desk reading a document, wearing glasses and traditional attire, with bookshelves in the background.

The world's first woman prime minister

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, speaks at the podium with United Nations emblem during the General Assembly in New York City.

history of Sri Lanka: References & Edit History

More Articles On This Topic

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

Sinnappah Arasaratnam
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type	Description	Contributor	Date
	Added cross-reference to Hambantota port.	Mindy Johnston	May 22, 2025
	Modified link of Web site: Kataragama.org - Kataragama's Role in Sri Lankan History.	Gloria Lotha	Mar 20, 2024
	New article added.	Chinatsu Tsuji The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica	Jul 05, 2023