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In ancient times, Sri Lanka was known by a variety of names: ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane and Arabs referred to it as Serendib. Ceilao was the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese when they arrived on the island in 1505, which was transliterated into English as Ceylon. In 1972, the official name of the country was changed to "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka" (
sri lanka in Sinhala; whereas the island itself is referred to as sri lankava , இலங்கை ilankai in Tamil). In 1978 it was changed to "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".
The current name is derived from the Sanskrit words "Sri Lanka" which mean "resplendent island", and is the name of the island as described in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The original name of the island, given to it by it's indigenous people the Hela (now known as 'Sinhela', 'Sinhala' or 'Sinhelese') is Heladiva (meaning 'Island of the Hela').
The Place names in Sri Lanka contain Sinhala names in the southern, western and central part of the country. The North and East contain many tamilized names which are themselves, for the most part, traceble to Sinhala toponyms[1].
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Sinhalese:, Tamil: இலங்கை; known as Ceylon before 1972) is an island nation in South Asia, located about 31 kilometers (18.5 mi) off the southern coast of India. Originally known as Heladiva, it is home to more than 20 million people.
Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia and has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. The indigenous Sinhalese (Sinha+Hela) form the majority of the population (74%) with Tamils, who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic community. Other ethnic communities include the Muslim Moors and Malays as well as Burghers.
Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, rubber and coconuts, Sri Lanka boasts a progressive and modern industrial economy. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage make it a worldwide famous tourist destination.
After over two thousand years of rule by the Sinha (Lion) royal dynasty, parts of Sri Lanka were colonised by Portugal and the Netherlands, before the control of the entire country was ceded to the British Empire in 1815. During World War II Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight against the Japanese. A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century, with the aim of obtaining political independence, which was granted by the British after peaceful negotiations in 1948. Since then Sri Lanka has enjoyed a surprising stable democracy and continuous economic progress, despite the current state of war between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil rebels led by the LTTE terrorist organisation, who demand an independent Tamil state, in northeastern parts of the country.
Sri Lankan Anthem: "Sri Lanka Matha"
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Words by: Ananda Samarkone
Music by: Ananda Samarkone
Adopted: 1951
After independence was granted to Sri Lanka (at the time known as Ceylon) in 1948, the need for a national anthem arose. As a result of a contest, Ananda Samarkone's contribution, written in Sinhalese, was chosen as the new anthem. The Tamil (another official language) lyrics are by an unknown author, but have the same meaning as the Sinhalese lyrics. It was first performed on the fourth anniversary of independence in early 1952.
Lyrics:
"Sri Lanka Matha" Sinhalese Version
- Sri Lanka Matha, apa Sri Lanka,
- Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
- Sundara siri barini,
- Surendi athi Sobamana Lanka
- Dhanya dhanaya neka mal pala thuru piri, Jaya bhoomiya ramya.
- Apa hata sapa siri setha sadana, jeevanaye Matha!
- Piliganu mena apa bhakti pooja,
- Namo Namo Matha.
- Apa Sri Lanka,
- Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha,
- Obave apa vidya, Obamaya apa sathya
- Obave apa shakti, Apa hada thula bhakti
- Oba apa aloke, Aapage anuprane
- oba apa jeevana ve, Apa muktiya obave
- Nava jeevana demine
- Nnithina apa Pubudu karan matha
- Gnana veerya vadavamina ragena yanu
- mena jaya bhoomi kara
- Eka mavekuge daru kala bavina
- yamu yamu wee nopama
- Prema vada sama bheda durara da Namo Namo Matha
- Apa Sri Lanka,
- Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
English translation
- Mother Lanka we salute Thee!
- Plenteous in prosperity, Thou,
- Beauteous in grace and love,
- Laden with corn and luscious fruit
- And fragrant flowers of radiant hue,
- Giver of life and all good things,
- Our land of joy and victory,
- Receive our grateful praise sublime,
- Lanka! we worship Thee.
- Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth,
- Thou art our strength and inward faith,
- Our light divine and sentient being,
- Breath of life and liberation.
- Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.
- Inspire us for ever.
- In wisdom and strength renewed,
- Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended,
- In love enfolded, a mighty nation
- Marching onward, all as one,
- Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Sri Lanka', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 17 February 2007, 10:45 UTC, <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sri_Lanka&oldid=108819028> [accessed 17 February 2007]
Wikipedia contributors, 'Sri Lanka Matha', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 10 February 2007, 18:42 UTC, <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sri_Lanka_Matha&oldid=107126346> [accessed 17 February 2007]