Sri Lanka

38000 BCE

Arrival of the Balangoda Man

Archaeological evidence suggests the earliest human habitation on the island dates back to this period. These hunter-gatherer populations are the ancestral inhabitants of the island.

543 BCE

Arrival of Prince Vijaya

According to the Mahavamsa, Prince Vijaya arrived from India and established the first recorded kingdom in Sri Lanka. This event is considered the founding of the Sinhalese people.

247 BCE

Introduction of Buddhism

Mahinda Thera, son of Emperor Ashoka, introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa. This event fundamentally shaped the cultural and religious identity of the island.

1505

Arrival of the Portuguese

The Portuguese arrived on the island, marking the beginning of European influence and colonial interest in Sri Lanka. They eventually gained control over the coastal regions.

1796

British Colonial Rule Begins

The British replaced the Dutch as the dominant colonial power on the island. By 1815, they had annexed the entire island after the fall of the Kingdom of Kandy.

1948

Independence from Britain

Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, gained formal independence from British rule on February 4, 1948. It remained a dominion within the British Commonwealth.

1972

Establishment of the Republic

A new constitution was adopted, changing the country's name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka and severing remaining ties with the British monarchy. The nation became a republic.

1983

Start of the Civil War

The escalation of ethnic tensions led to the outbreak of the Sri Lankan Civil War between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The conflict lasted for 26 years.

2009

End of the Civil War

The Sri Lankan military defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, bringing an end to the protracted internal conflict. This concluded a significant era of instability.

2019

Easter Sunday Bombings

A series of coordinated suicide bombings targeted churches and hotels, resulting in significant loss of life and national shock. The attacks had a severe impact on the nation's security and tourism industry.

2022

Aragalaya Protest Movement

Widespread public protests against economic mismanagement led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The movement sought major systemic political change.

2024

Election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected as the ninth President of Sri Lanka in a historic poll. His victory marked a significant shift in the country's traditional political landscape.