Capital: Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte: 107,925 (2012)
Population: 21,203,000 (2016)
Area: 65,610 km2
History:
1517: Portuguese gradually extended their control over the coastal areas.
1592-1619: Jaffna kingdom in the inland city of Kandy.
1638: Treaty with the Dutch East India Company.
1656: Dutch-Portuguese War
1796: UK occupies the coastal areas - naming them Ceylon.
14 February 1815: UK colony
Independence from UK: 4 February 1948.
Republic: 22. May 1972.
Current constitution: 7. September 1978.
