Sri Lankan History

1. Prehistoric & Ancient Sri Lanka

Balangoda Man
Early settlements
Megalithic culture
Pre-Anuradhapura period

2. Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BC – 1017 AD)

Arrival of Prince Vijaya
Introduction of Buddhism (Mahinda Thero)
Great Kings (Dutugemunu, Valagamba, Mahasena)
Irrigation systems & stupas
South Indian invasions

3. Polonnaruwa Kingdom (1056 – 1236)

King Vijayabahu I
King Parakramabahu I
Parakrama Samudraya
Gal Vihara
Decline of Polonnaruwa

4. Transitional & Medieval Kingdoms

Dambadeniya
Yapahuwa
Kurunegala
Gampola
Kotte Kingdom
Jaffna Kingdom

5. Kandyan Kingdom (1469 – 1815)

Last Sinhalese kingdom
King Vimaladharmasuriya I
Sri Vikrama Rajasinha
Kandyan Convention (1815)
Resistance against colonial powers

6. Portuguese Period (1505 – 1658)

Arrival of Portuguese
Coastal control
Spread of Christianity
Conflicts with local kingdoms

7. Dutch Period (1658 – 1796)

VOC rule
Roman-Dutch law
Trade and cinnamon monopoly
Forts and architecture

8. British Period (1796 – 1948)

Colebrooke-Cameron reforms
Plantation economy (tea, rubber, coffee)
Railway development
Uva-Wellassa Rebellion
Independence movement

9. Post-Independence Sri Lanka (1948 – Present)

Dominion status
1972 & 1978 Constitutions
Civil War (1983–2009)
Tsunami 2004
Economic and political developments

10. Culture, Religion & Heritage

Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Hindu, Muslim & Christian heritage
Ancient temples & stupas
Traditional arts (dance, music, literature)
UNESCO World Heritage Sites