Who originally lived in Sri Lanka?
According to the Sinhalese tradition, as recorded in the Mahavamsa, the first Indian settlers on Sri Lanka were Prince Vijaya and his 700 followers, who landed on the west coast near Puttalam (5th century bce).
What was Sri Lanka called in ancient times?
Ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane. Arabs referred to it as Serendib. Later European mapmakers called it Ceylon, a name still used occasionally for trade purposes. It officially became Sri Lanka in 1972.
Who was the freedom fighter of Sri Lanka?
Tuan Burhanuddin Jayah (1890 – 1960) was a Sri Lankan educationalist, politician, diplomat and freedom fighter.
Where do Sri Lankan Moors come from?
The Sri Lankan Moors are of diverse origins with some tracing their ancestry to Arab traders who first settled in Sri Lanka around the 9th century, and who intermarried with local women. The concentration of Moors is the highest in the Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.
Who invaded Sri Lanka first?
Portuguese intervention The first Europeans to visit Sri Lanka in modern times were the Portuguese: Lourenço de Almeida arrived in 1505 and found that the island, divided into seven warring kingdoms, was unable to fend off intruders.
Who brought Islam to Sri Lanka?
History. With the arrival of Arab traders in the 7th century A.D., Islam began to flourish in Sri Lanka. The first people to profess the Islamic faith were Arab merchants and their native wives, whom they married after having them converted to Islam.
Who is the 1st king in Sri Lanka?
Prince Vijaya
List of Sri Lankan monarchs
| King of the Sinhala Kingdom | |
|---|---|
| Prince Vijaya | |
| Details | |
| First monarch | Prince Vijaya |
| Last monarch | Sri Vikrama Rajasinha |
Who named Sri Lanka Ceylon?
Ceilão, the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese Empire when it arrived in 1505, was transliterated into English as Ceylon.
Who is the most famous man in Sri Lanka?
Arjuna Ranatunga – Sri Lanka’s 1st World Cup winning Captain.
What is a national hero in Sri Lanka?
National Hero is a status an individual can receive in Sri Lanka for those who are considered to have played a major role in fighting for the freedom of the country. The status is conferred by the President of Sri Lanka. The recipients of the award are celebrated on a Sri Lankan national holiday, National Heroes’ Day, held annually on 22 May.
What is the National Day of Sri Lanka?
From 1948 to 1972, the nation was known as the Dominion of Ceylon, with its national day, known as Sri Lanka Independence Day being held annually on 4 February. It declared itself a republic on 22 May 1972. Yearly, the National Heroes are celebrated on this day.
Was the Sri Lankan independence movement fundamentally a peasant revolt?
It was fundamentally a peasant revolt. For their role in the rebellion, Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda were made National Heroes. The Sri Lankan independence movement was a peaceful political movement which was aimed at achieving independence and self-rule for the country of Sri Lanka, then British Ceylon, from the British Empire.