sri lanka

By Mikaela
  • 400

    Watadage

    Watadage
    Watadage, which very literally is translated into "circular relic house," was (and remains) a place of religious significance in Sri Lanka. There are three different Watadages, and many other stupas. Buddha's ashes apparently are divided up and housed within these sites. The acutal building structure is common ancient Sri-lankan architecture, and is second only in the world to the pyramids at Gizah for its time-period in terms of grandeur. Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka.
  • 437

    Ancient Stupa In The Abhayagiri Shrine

    Ancient Stupa In The Abhayagiri Shrine
    The Anuradhapura period, began in 437 BC, and lasted until 845 AD. This is a picture of an ancient stupa in the Abhayagiri shrine, in Anuradhapura. During this time period, the Sinhalese were the people who for the most part inhabited the Island. The Sinhalese invented many things that are now vital to society. For example, Sinhalese in Sri Lanka built the first hospitals in the world stemming from the Buddhist principles of kindness and compassion.
  • Jan 1, 1153

    Irrigation system created

    Irrigation system created
    The Sri Lankan people created rainwater reservoirs. By collecting rainwater and storing it in reservoirs, Sri Lanka became more stable and self reliant. Now that the people of Sri Lanka had a steady supply of rice (the most common food in the diet of the Sinhalese people), they had much more food security. A large portion of the primitive irrigation systems, with minor adjustments, are used by farmers in Sri Lanka today.
  • Jan 1, 1371

    Kotte Kingdom Rules Southwest Sri Lanka

    Kotte Kingdom Rules Southwest Sri Lanka
    The Kotte kingdom ruled the southwestern region of Sri Lanka from 1371 to 1597. The kingdom ultimately collapsed due to the fact that Kotte was one of the primary targets of the Portugese. The Sri Lankan rulers easily gave up their land to the Portuguese king, presumably out of fear. This is a picture of the Kotte flag, which interestingly enough, is mirrored in the current day flag, with a similar creature in the middle.
  • Jan 1, 1505

    Christianity brought by the Portugese

    Christianity brought by the Portugese
    When the Portugese people came to Sri Lanka in 1505, they brought with them many things, including Christianity. Prior to the Portugese arrival (which put Sri Lanka on the map for other European interest), the population was predominantly Buddhist. Although today the population is still an overwhelmingly 73.7% Buddhist, the current 6.2% of Sri Lankan Christians is a clear result of Portuguese influence.

  • Coffee Plantations

    Coffee Plantations
    After the British took control of Sri Lanka (from the Portugese), they introduced plantations. The workers for these planations were Tamils. They were brought in from southern India to work on tea, coconut, coffee, and rubber plantations.

  • Independence!

    Independence!
    In 1948, Sri Lanka gained full independence from British rule. The British slowly started to phase out of Sri Lanka, but it was not until 1972 that they changed their name from Ceylon to The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

  • Civil War in Sri Lanka

    Civil War in Sri Lanka
    There was no official date for when the civil war between the Tamils and the Sinhalese began in Sri Lanka, but in 1949, when many Tamils were fired from their plantation jobs, and or denied citizenship, tensions grew. Sri Lanka has been in a civil war for more than 58 years. However in Janurary 2009, Sinhalese troops captured Kilinochchi, a city in norhtern Sri Lanka, that the Tamils used as a headquarters for more than a decade. Now, Sinhalese leaders believe that the Tamils may surrender.