The History of Sri Lanka's Independence

Sri Lankan Independence Day (February 4) is usually marked by a grand military parade in the capital of Colombo; there are significant political speeches and ceremonies, followed by a festive series of cultural programs that highlight the best and brightest of Sri Lankan music, dance, food, and history.

This is a nation-wide celebration, so no matter where you are on the island, you’re bound to catch a glimpse of regional pageants and festivities; travellers in Colombo will be able to get an up-close and personal view of the military parade, airshows, fireworks, ceremonial double-ended drums (magul bera), the chanting of the Jayamangala Gatha, and the President’s iconic flag-hoisting ceremony. The holiday is also known as National Day.

Independence Day Of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka National Day): Here’s Everything You Need To Know

On February 4, 1948, Sri Lanka (then British Ceylon) gained political independence from the British Empire. The day is known as Sri Lanka Independence Day or Sri Lanka National Day. Celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor, this national holiday holds immense importance for all Sri Lankans, as it marks Sri Lanka’s freedom from British rule and remembers the nation’s struggle for independence from its colonial masters.

Sri Lanka Independence History (1505-1948): A Brief Summary Of Sri Lanka’s History & How It Gained Independence

The Kandyan Kingdom coming under the control of the British Realm and removing of Lord Sri Wickrama started the history of British Ceylon. The British rule ended over 2000 years of Sinhalese government rule on the island. Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) remained under British rule till 1948, when the Sri Lanka Independence Movement made Sri Lanka win its independence.

Sri Lanka Under Portuguese Rule (The Portuguese Ceylon Period 1505-1658)
Portuguese were the first Europeans to visit Ceylon. Lourenco de Almeida (Portuguese explorer and military commander) landed on the territory in 1505, finding the island partitioned into seven conflicting kingdoms and unfit to fight off foreign invaders. The Portuguese established a fort at the port city of Colombo in 1517 and steadily expanded their control over the coastal zones.

Sri Lankans under Portuguese rule were forced to convert to Christianity. The Buddhist majority of the island hated Portuguese rule and welcomed any other power who may save them and defeat the Portuguese. It was in 1602, that the ruler of Kandy appealed the Dutch captain Joris van Spilbergen to help Ceylonese.

Sri Lanka Under Dutch Rule (The Dutch Ceylon Period 1640-1796)

The Dutch Ceylon was a governorate formed in Sri Lanka by the Dutch East India Company. By 1660, they were able to establish their control over the whole island except the kingdom of Kandy. The Dutch persecuted the left-over Portuguese settlers in Sri Lanka but granted freedom of living to the Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. However, the main downside of Dutch rule was that they taxed the nation far more heavily than Portuguese had done.

In 1669, a British captain named Robert Knox landed by chance in Sri Lanka where he was captured by the king of Kandy. He escaped 19 years later and composed a story of his stay in Ceylon. The captain’s story brought the island to the consideration of the British.

National Anthem of Sri Lanka – SriLanka Matha

The British administration supported the semi-European Burghers (a mix of Dutch-Sri Lankan people), high-caste Sinhalese and the Tamils. The first-ever democratic elements in the history of Sri Lanka were introduced by the British.

In The Month Of February, National Pizza Day is also celebrated on the 9th of February

Sri Lanka On Road To Independence – Here’s How Sri Lanka Gained Independence

With the dawning of the 20th century, the Sri Lankan nationalist movement gained momentum. The movement demanded British authorities to allow Sri Lanka a great role in government, and by 1930s they had anchored the concession of allowing Sri Lankans to members of the Legislative Council.

D.S. Senanayake founded the United National Party (UNP) in 1946. The UNP won a majority of the seats in 1947 elections, yet cobbled together an alliance with the Sinhala Maha Sabha of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike and the Tamil Congress of G. G. Ponnambalam. It was to this government that the British handed over ultimate political power to the Sri Lankans.

On 4 February 1948, English Ceylon has conceded independence as Ceylon and turned into a dominion within the British Empire. Stephen Senanayake became the first Prime Minister. In 1972 Ceylon turned into a republic within the Commonwealth and came to be known as Sri Lanka.

How is Sinha Hair celebrating our Sri Lankan Independence Day? 

We are holding a week long sale and this is a limited time offer that is hard to come by! Spend $50 and get a free growth oil of your choice! Add our Growth Oil (Tea Growth Oil, or Yellow Vine Growth Oil) to your cart and enter the code at checkout to apply the discount. Celebrate our national holiday with us by getting a free growth oil that is made with ancient Sinhala recipes. 

Code: HAPPYSRILANKA23