Ceylon

Ceylon, was the former name of the present Sri Lanka until until 1972, when this British Colony became a republic and Queen Elizabeth II ceased to be head of the state, though it had become independent in 1948. The capital and chief port was Colombo. Ceylon was the largest in the British Empire, administered by a governor with executive and legislative councils. The island fell under Portuguese and Dutch influence after the 16th Century. It gained independence in 1948, after nearly 150 years of British rule. However, the word Ceylon continued to be in use in names of several institutions until 2021, when Sri Lanka's government decided to change the names of all state institutions still bearing the nation's former British colonial name, Ceylon. The decision comes 39 years after the country was renamed Sri Lanka in 1972.

It is a pear-shaped island, separated from India, to which it geographically belongs, and southeast of which it lies, by Palk Strait, 32 miles broad. It comprises a lofty, central tableland with numerous peaks, the highest Tallagalla, 8000 ft., and a broad border of well-watered plains. It was an ancient centre of civilisation. The soil on the island is everywhere fertile and the climate is hot, but more equitable than on the mainland. The chief products are tea, cinnamon, and tobacco. The forests yield satin-wood, ebony, &c. The cocoa-nut palm abounds. There are extensive deposits of iron, anthracite, and plumbago. Precious stones, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, &c., are in considerable quantities. The pearl fisheries are a valuable government monopoly. The chief exports are tea, rice, cotton goods, and coals. Two-thirds of the people are Singhalese and Buddhists.

Nearby pages
CGI, Ch. Edward Appleton, Chabot, Chaeronea, Chagzam Bridge, Chaidya