History

In 500 BC the Sinhalese migrated to Sri Lanka from India. According to legend the first settlers were led by a man named Vijaya. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in 260 BC by a man named Mahinda and the religion soon became an integral part of Sinhalese culture.

Sri Lanka was first united as a single kingdom by a man named Dutthagamani (161-137 BC), a powerful ruler who erected many palaces and temples, some of which can still be seen in Anuradhapura, which was the first capital.

Sri Lanka traded with India, China, Persia and Ethiopia however from the 5th century onwards, suffering from invasions from India. In 1255 the capital Polonnaruwa was abandoned and the people drifted to the Southwest. In the 13th century the Tamils settled in the north of Sri Lanka and by 1505 Sri Lanka was divided into three areas.

An important era in Sri Lankan history began in 1505 when the Portuguese arrived. The Portuguese sought cinnamon (a very valuable spice). Increasing Portuguese demands led to a war in 1520-21, which the Portuguese won. The king lost the support of his people and he was overthrown by his three sons. The eldest son became King Bhuvanekbahu VI. He reigned until 1551. In 1551 King Bhuvankbahu was assassinated and the Portuguese installed a puppet ruler in Kotte. Meanwhile Catholic missionaries were at work in Kotte converting many citizens.

For a while only Kandy remained independent from the Portuguese who made several attempts to it in 1594, 1603 and 1629, without success. In 1636 King Rajsinha of Kandy turned to the Dutch for help. (The power of Portugal was declining while Dutch power was increasing.) In 1637 he received Dutch envoys. In 1638 the Portuguese invaded again but they were crushed at the battle of Gannoruwa.

Afterwards the Dutch agreed to capture the Portuguese held ports on the Sri Lankan coast. Between 1638 and 1640 the Dutch captured certain ports but they held onto them for their own use. The Dutch then attacked Colombo, capturing it in 1656. In 1658 they captured Jaffna ending Portuguese rule in Sri Lanka. The Dutch extended their rule and in 1665 they captured Tincomalee on the east coast.

Kandy remained independent and continued to exist uneasily beside the Dutch colony until 1760 when war broke out between them. The Dutch won the war and they forced Kandy to recognise Dutch sovereignty along the Sri Lankan coast line.

In December 2004, Sri Lanka was hit hard by the Tsunami that swept through Asia, and sustained heavy damage. However, it is now recovering at a rapid rate.