Which country was formerly known as Ceylon?

Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon.

The island country adopted the name Sri Lanka in 1972, when it became a republic. Before that change, it had been known internationally as Ceylon, a name used during British colonial rule and retained after independence in 1948. Sri Lanka means “resplendent island” in Sanskrit-derived language traditions.

The island lies in the Indian Ocean southeast of India. Its landscapes include central mountains, tropical forests, dry-zone plains, and extensive coastlines. Colombo is the largest city and commercial capital, while Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the official legislative capital.

Ceylon remains familiar in names such as Ceylon tea, one of the country’s best-known exports. Tea cultivation expanded during the nineteenth century after coffee plantations were devastated by disease. The island’s ancient history includes the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms, and Buddhism has played a major role in its cultural development. Its modern population includes several major linguistic and religious communities.