Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon until its official name changed in 1972.
The island’s modern official name became the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka when a new constitution took effect on 22 May 1972. Before that change, the country had been called Ceylon, a name widely used during British colonial rule and retained after independence in 1948.
Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean southeast of India. Its location made it an important stop in maritime trade linking South Asia with Arabia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia. The island is known for ancient cities such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, Buddhist heritage, tea production, and varied tropical ecosystems.
Ceylon remains visible in historical and commercial names, including Ceylon tea and the Ceylon Electricity Board. The name change did not erase the island’s older cultural identities: Sinhala and Tamil are official languages, and Buddhism has a constitutionally recognized foremost position. Colombo is the commercial capital, while Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital.