History & Ruins in Sri Lanka
You can explore the history of Sri Lanka, starting from human colonization. Evidence of human colonization in Sri Lanka appears at the site of Balangoda. Balangoda Man arrived on the island about 34,000 years ago and have been identified as Mesolithic hunter gatherers who lived in caves. After that Sri Lanka inherits to a several Kingdoms. Explore how ancient Sinhalese dynasties set up their capitals and supported massive artistic and architectural endeavor. Including palaces, tanks , Buddhist Dagabas, and buildings by using amazing engineering skills with expertise.
Portuguese Era
The first Europeans to visit Sri Lanka in modern times were the Portuguese: Lorenzo De Almeida arrived in 1505 and found that the island, divided into seven warring kingdoms, was unable to fend off intruders. The Portuguese founded a fort at the port city of Colombo in 1517 and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas. Their customs, traditions and language affect the Sri Lankan culture to a certain extent until today.
Dutch Era
By 1660 the Dutch controlled the whole island except the kingdom of Kandy and it was not until 1656 that Colombo fell. The Dutch (Protestants) persecuted the Catholics and the remaining Portuguese settlers left the Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims alone. The Dutch taxed the people far more heavily than the Portuguese had done. Even today, the Sri Lankans who had Dutch ancestors live as Burghers. They belong to minor community.
British Era
In 1802 the Treaty of Amiens formally preceded the Dutch part of the island to Britain and it became a crown colony. In 1803 the British invaded the Kingdom of Kandy in the first Kandyan War, but were repulsed. In 1815 Kandy was occupied in the second Kandyan War, finally ending Sri Lankan independence. British was the most powerful race who invaded the whole country as their one of the colonies. The Christian/ Catholic religion and their schools, their language , customs and traditions made a great impact in Sri Lankan society up to this day.,
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