What Is The Former Name Of Sri Lanka

The Island With Two Names

Ask someone to name the island nation off the southeast coast of India, and most will say Sri Lanka without hesitation. But ask them what that country used to be called, and you'll get a range of answers — some confident, some completely wrong.

Here's the thing: Sri Lanka wasn't always called Sri Lanka. For centuries, it had a different name, one that still echoes in history books, old maps, and the memories of older generations. The switch happened officially in 1972, but the story behind it is tangled up in colonialism, nationalism, and a country trying to reclaim its identity.

So what was it called before? And why did it change?

What Was the Former Name of Sri Lanka

Before 1972, the country was known as Ceylon. That's the name you'll find on vintage maps, in old travel guides, and in the titles of classic novels set in the region. It's also the name that still appears on certain products — most notably, Ceylon cinnamon, which is considered the true, delicate variety of the spice.

But here's where it gets interesting: the name "Ceylon" itself didn't originate from the local people. Here's the thing — it came from the colonial powers — first the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and finally the British — who ruled the island for centuries. The Portuguese arrived in the early 1500s and brought the name with them, likely derived from the local term "Sihala" (meaning "belonging to the Saka lineage"), which was used in ancient Sanskrit texts.

Over time, "Ceylon" stuck. When the British formally took control in the late 18th century, they kept the name. It became the name on official documents, in international treaties, and in the passports of people born on the island. It was used throughout the colonial period and into the early years of independence.

Why the Name Changed

Sri Lanka gained independence from Britain in 1948, but it kept the name Ceylon. For the first couple of decades as an independent nation, the country was officially the "Dominion of Ceylon." But by the late 1960s, a growing nationalist movement was pushing for a more distinctly indigenous identity.

The change to "Sri Lanka" was part of a broader cultural and political shift. The new name was meant to point out the island's ancient heritage — "Sri" meaning "venerable" or "blessed," and "Lanka" referring to the island itself, a name that appears in the Ramayana* and other classical texts. The government under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike led this push, and in 1972, the country was officially renamed the "Free, Sovereign, and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka.

It wasn't just about politics, either. On the flip side, there was a real desire to shed the colonial label and reconnect with a pre-colonial identity. The name change was symbolic, but it carried weight.

The Layers of Identity

If you think the story ends there, it doesn't. The transition wasn't seamless. Many older Sri Lankans still refer to the country as Ceylon in casual conversation, not out of resistance, but simply because that's the name they grew up with. You'll hear it in family stories, in old photographs labeled "Ceylon 1965," and in the nostalgia of people who remember a different era.

There's also the linguistic angle. In Sinhala, the language spoken by the majority, the country has always been called "Śrīlaṃkāva" — which is essentially the same as "Sri Lanka." The name change in 1972 aligned the official English name with the native term, rather than the colonial one.

And then there's Tamil, spoken by the Tamil community, which refers to the island as "Ilaṅkai." This adds another layer to the naming story, one that reflects the island's complex ethnic and linguistic makeup.

What Most People Get Wrong

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the name change was sudden or universally celebrated. It wasn't. The shift to "Sri Lanka" happened gradually in international usage, and even today, some older documents and products still bear the name "Ceylon.

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Another common mistake is assuming that "Ceylon" was the original name of the country. It wasn't — it was imposed by outsiders. The indigenous names, like "Śrīlaṃkāva" in Sinhala and "Ilaṅkai" in Tamil, predate colonial rule by centuries.

Some people also confuse the name change with the country's ethnic tensions. While the 1970s were a period of rising political tension, the renaming itself was more about decolonization than division. That said, it did reflect the growing assertiveness of the Sinhalese majority, which would have consequences in the decades that followed.

Practical Takeaways

So why does this matter? For one, it helps explain a lot of the cultural and political dynamics in modern Sri Lanka. The push for a more indigenous name was part of a larger movement to assert local identity — something that continues to shape the country's politics today.

It also matters for anyone reading older books, watching vintage films, or looking at antique maps. If you see "Ceylon," you're looking at the country before 1972. If you see "Sri Lanka," it's the modern name.

And if you're a traveler or a student of geography, knowing both names will help you deal with everything from historical documents to spice labels. Ceylon cinnamon is still labeled that way in many countries, even though the nation that produces it now calls itself Sri Lanka.

FAQ

Was Ceylon ever a real country?

Yes. Ceylon was the official name of the country from 1948, when it gained independence from Britain, until 1972, when it was renamed Sri Lanka. Before independence, it was a British colony also known as Ceylon.

Why did Sri Lanka change its name from Ceylon?

The name change in 1972 was part of a nationalist movement to shed the colonial-era name and make clear the country's indigenous heritage. "Sri Lanka" reflects the ancient name of the island used in local languages and classical texts.

Is Ceylon still used today?

The name "Ceylon" still appears on certain products, most notably Ceylon cinnamon, which is a premium variety of the spice. Some older Sri Lankans also use "Ceylon" in casual conversation. Even so, the official name of the country is Sri Lanka.

What did the indigenous people call the country?

In Sinhala, the majority language, the country has long been called "Śrīlaṃkāva," which is the source of "Sri Lanka." In Tamil, another major language of the island, it's called "Ilaṅkai."

When exactly did the name change happen?

The official name changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka on May 22, 1972, when the country adopted a new constitution and became a republic within the Commonwealth.

The Name Beneath the Surface

The story of Sri Lanka's name is really a story about identity — how a country decides who it wants to be, and how it tells the world. "Ceylon" was a colonial label that stuck for centuries, but "Sri Lanka" is something older, something that reaches back to the island's own traditions and languages.

It's a reminder that names matter. They carry history, politics, and meaning. And sometimes, changing a name is the first step toward changing a country.

Today, whether you call it Ceylon or Sri Lanka, you're talking about the same lush, green island in the Indian Ocean — just with two different chapters of its story.