Where is Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is an island off the southern coast of India, officially called the Democratic Socalist Republic of Sri Lanka. The island was first known as Ceylon but was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Its nickname is the teardrop of India, as its shape and location is in the right position. It is also known as "The Pearl of the Indian Ocean," because of its natural beauty with tropical forests and diverse landscapes. The island is in the northern Indian Ocean and has maritime borders with India in the north and the Maldives in the southwest. The population of the country is comprised of the ethnic groups of Sinhalese people, Sri Lankan Tamils, Muslim Moors, Burgers, Kaffirs, Malays, and the aboriginal Vedda people. Since the majority is Sinhalese, and that ethnic group follows Buddhism, Sri Lanka has a rich Buddhist heritage with the first Buddhist writings composed on the island. Sri Lanka is a republic with the capital being Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, named after a president (J.R. Jayawardene) himself. The island is most popular for being a producer of tea, coffee, gemstones, coconuts, rubber, and cinnamon (yum!).
Recent history of Sri Lanka is the 25-year-old war between the government and Tamil militant groups wanting their own independent country/state. This website explains all about the Sri Lankan Tamil Revolt against the Sri Lankan government. Check it out!
Recent history of Sri Lanka is the 25-year-old war between the government and Tamil militant groups wanting their own independent country/state. This website explains all about the Sri Lankan Tamil Revolt against the Sri Lankan government. Check it out!