Sri Lanka — books & literature

The story of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's recorded history stretches back more than 2,500 years, built on the Anuradhapura Kingdom, traditionally founded in the mid-1st millennium BCE, which grew into one of the great hydraulic civilisations of the ancient world, famous for its reservoirs, dagobas, and the introduction of Buddhism around the 3rd century BCE. Power later shifted to Polonnaruwa, and the island became a hub on Indian Ocean trade routes, drawing Arab, Chinese, and later European visitors. Portuguese traders arrived in 1505, the Dutch took the coastal regions in 1658, and the British annexed the whole island by 1815, ending the independent Kingdom of Kandy and unifying it as the colony of Ceylon. Ceylon regained independence on 4 February 1948 and became a republic in 1972, renaming itself Sri Lanka. The following decades brought a long civil war (1983-2009) and the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but also a resilient literary, religious, and artistic culture that continues to draw on both Sinhala-Buddhist and Tamil-Hindu traditions. Today Sri Lanka is known for its ancient cities, tea industry, and a growing modern literary voice on the world stage.

Timeline — key moments

1. circa 543 BCE

   Legendary founding of the Sinhalese kingdom by Prince Vijaya.

2. circa 3rd century BCE

   Buddhism introduced to the island under King Devanampiya Tissa.

3. 161 BCE

   King Dutugemunu unifies the island under Anuradhapura rule.

4. circa 477-495 CE

   Sigiriya rock fortress built by King Kashyapa I.

5. 1505

   Portuguese traders arrive, beginning European contact.

6. 1658

   Dutch forces take control of the coastal regions from the Portuguese.

7. 1815

   British annex the Kingdom of Kandy, uniting the island as the colony of Ceylon.

8. 1948

   Independence from Britain as the Dominion of Ceylon (4 February).

9. 1972

   New constitution declares a republic; the country is renamed Sri Lanka.

10. 2009

    End of the 26-year civil war.

Top 10 things to know about Sri Lanka

1. Sri Lanka has one of the longest continuously recorded histories in Asia, over 2,500 years.
2. Sigiriya, the ancient "Lion Rock" fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 1,500-year-old frescoes.
3. Sri Lanka was the first modern nation to elect a female head of government, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960.
4. The island was known as Ceylon until it became a republic and adopted the name Sri Lanka in 1972.
5. Sri Lankan tea, historically branded "Ceylon Tea", is among the most recognised teas in the world.
6. Sinhala and Tamil are both official languages, reflecting the island's two major traditions.
7. The ancient city of Anuradhapura was a major centre of Buddhist civilisation for over a thousand years.
8. Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including cultural, natural, and mixed sites.
9. Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) is a sacred mountain revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike.
10. Sri Lankan cuisine is known for rice and curry, hoppers, and some of the world's most fiery chili heat.

Famous people from Sri Lanka

Say it in Sri Lanka's language

Did you know?

• ★Sigiriya's ancient frescoes have survived for around 1,500 years, painted on the rock face without any protective structure.
• ★Sri Lanka was renamed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka in 1972, the same year it became a republic.
• ★Adam's Peak is sacred to four different religions, each with its own name and legend for the mountaintop footprint.

Sri Lanka culture

• Vesak, marking the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, is the most important Buddhist festival, lit with lanterns nationwide.
• The Esala Perahera in Kandy is a spectacular ten-night procession of drummers, dancers, and decorated elephants honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic.
• Rice and curry, served with multiple small side dishes, is the everyday national meal.
• Traditional Kandyan dance, with its elaborate costumes and drumming, is a defining performing art form.

Why read Sri Lanka's books

Sri Lankan literature spans ancient Pali chronicles like the Mahavamsa, a rich Sinhala and Tamil literary tradition, and a modern generation of internationally celebrated writers. Reading Sri Lanka's books opens a window onto an island shaped equally by myth, colonial history, and resilience.