Sri Lanka

[sree lahng-kuh, lang-kuh, shree]

noun

1. an island republic in the Indian Ocean, south of India: a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 25,332 sq. mi. (65,610 sq. km). Colombo.

Sri Lanka

/ ˌsriː ˈlæŋkə /

noun

1. Official name (since 1978): Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Former name (until 1972): Ceylon. a republic in S Asia, occupying the island of Ceylon: settled by the Sinhalese from S India in about 550 _bc ; became a British colony 1802; gained independence in 1948, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth in 1972. Exports include tea, cocoa, cinnamon, and copra. Official languages: Sinhalese and Tamil; English is also widely spoken. Religion: Hinayana Buddhist majority. Currency: Sri Lanka rupee. Capital: Colombo (administrative), Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative). Parts of the coast suffered badly in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Pop: 21 675 648 (2013 est). Area: 65 610 sq km (25 332 sq miles)

Sri Lanka

1. Formerly Ceylon, now an island republic in the Indian Ocean just southeast of India.

Marked by hostility between its Buddhist Sinhalese majority and Hindu Tamil minority (see Buddhism and Hinduism).

A British colony since 1796, the island became independent in 1948.

Other Word Forms

• Sri Lankan adjective

Example Sentences

England travel to Colombo to continue their campaign, taking on Sri Lanka on Saturday.

From BBC

Cardiff Metropolitan University does not have an overseas campus but its degrees are taught in locations including Singapore, Lebanon, and Sri Lanka while Wrexham University's partners include institutions in China, Myanmar and Greece.

From BBC

Fighters from Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cuba and Syria, who in the past came in significant numbers, are no longer allowed to join, according to the Russian defense ministry.

From Los Angeles Times

But now, with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to come, they are in a fantastic position to head into their games against favourites India and Australia unbeaten.

From BBC

Watch highlights from a rain-affected opening game of the Women's World Cup as India fight back following a middle-order collapse to defeat Sri Lanka by 59 runs.

From BBC