Sri Lanka, once known as Ceylon, is an island nation in South Asia. Situated in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal, it is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The country shares maritime borders with India to the northwest and the Maldives to the southwest.
1903: First Music Album Recording
Sri Lanka's first music album, "Nurthi", was recorded in 1903 and released on Radio Ceylon.
1905: First Modern Sri Lankan Novel
Simon de Silva published "Meena" in 1905, marking a significant moment as the first modern novel in Sri Lankan literature.
1906: Documentation of the First Malaria Case
While a malaria outbreak had been affecting Ceylon since the early 1900s, the first documented case was in 1906.
1911: Discovery of the Galle Trilingual Inscription
The Galle Trilingual Inscription, a stone tablet left by Chinese admiral Zheng He in 1409, was discovered in Galle in 1911 by S. H. Thomlin. The inscription, written in Chinese, Tamil, and Persian, commemorates Zheng He's visit to Sri Lanka.
1919: Formation of the Ceylon National Congress
In 1919, major Sinhalese and Tamil political groups came together to form the Ceylon National Congress. Led by Ponnambalam Arunachalam, the Congress aimed to push for more constitutional reforms from the British.
1923: Establishment of Radio Ceylon
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, formerly known as Radio Ceylon, was established in 1923 by Edward Harper. It holds the distinction of being the oldest radio station in Asia.
1931: Implementation of the Donoughmore Reforms
The Donoughmore Reforms were implemented in 1931, introducing universal adult franchise and eliminating communal representation in Ceylon.
1935: LSSP Established
The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP), Sri Lanka's oldest political party, was established in 1935.
1937: G.G. Ponnambalam's Demand for 50-50 Representation
Tamil leader G.G. Ponnambalam, in 1937, demanded equal representation (50% Sinhalese, 50% other ethnic groups) in the State Council. This demand was not met by the Soulbury reforms later on.
1942: Proposal for Education Reforms
A dedicated special education committee in 1942 put forth extensive reform proposals aimed at creating a more efficient and high-quality education system accessible to all citizens.
1944: All Ceylon Tamil Congress Founded
G.G. Ponnambalam established the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) in 1944.
1944: Introduction of the Soulbury Reforms
The Soulbury Reforms, introduced between 1944 and 1945, did not fulfill the demand for 50-50 representation made by Tamil leaders.
1945: Establishment of Free Education System
Sri Lanka implemented a free education system in 1945, spearheaded by C.W.W. Kannangara and A. Ratnayake, making it one of the few countries globally to provide free education from primary through tertiary levels.
1946: UNP Established
D.S. Senanayake established the United National Party (UNP) in 1946.
1947: Arrival of Sri Lankan Cinema
Sri Lankan cinema emerged in 1947 with the movie "Kadawunu Poronduwa (The Broken Promise)", produced by S. M. Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.
February 1948: D.S. Senanayake Becomes the First Prime Minister
Upon Ceylon achieving dominion status and proclaiming independence on February 4, 1948, D.S. Senanayake became the country's first Prime Minister.
1948: Independence as Dominion of Ceylon
Known as Ceylon during its time as a British crown colony, the nation achieved independence in 1948, becoming the Dominion of Ceylon.
1948: Independence of Sri Lanka
In 1948, Sri Lanka gained independence, marking the end of British colonial rule. Since then, the primary focus of the armed forces has been internal security, including conflicts with Marxist militants and the LTTE.
1948: Duncan White's Olympic Silver
Duncan White secured Sri Lanka's first Olympic medal, a silver, in the men's 400 metres hurdles at the 1948 London Olympics.
1948: Independence as Dominion of Ceylon
After a period of British colonial rule, Ceylon gained independence in 1948 and became the Dominion of Ceylon.
1949: Sri Lanka-China relations begin
In 1949, Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations with the newly formed People's Republic of China, marking the start of their bilateral relations.
1949: Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) Formed
In 1949, a group led by S.J.V. Chelvanayakam split from the ACTC and formed the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), also known as the Federal Party.
1950: Colombo Plan proposed
In 1950, Sri Lankan Finance Minister J. R. Jayewardene, along with Australian Foreign Minister Sir Percy Spencer, proposed the Colombo Plan at the Commonwealth Foreign Minister's Conference held in Colombo.
July 1951: SLFP Founded
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike founded the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in July 1951.
1951: Sri Lanka supports free Japan
At the San Francisco Peace Conference in 1951, Sri Lanka argued for a free Japan and refused to accept reparations for World War II damage, believing it would harm Japan's economy.
1952: Rubber-Rice Pact signed
In 1952, Sri Lanka and China signed the Rubber-Rice Pact, an important trade agreement that strengthened economic ties between the two countries.
1953: Start of National Badminton Championships
The Sri Lankan National Badminton Championships commenced in 1953.
1955: Sri Lanka joins United Nations
In 1955, Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations. This move was part of the country's efforts to maintain its independence while cultivating international relations.
1955: Sri Lanka plays role in NAM
In 1955, Sri Lanka played a vital role at the Asian–African Conference, which was an important step in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
1956: Forest Cover at 44.2%
In 1956, forest cover in Sri Lanka stood at 44.2% of the country's land area.
1956: Bandaranaike government changes foreign policy
In 1956, the Bandaranaike government significantly shifted Sri Lanka's foreign policy from a pro-western stance to a more neutral one. This included recognizing Cuba under Fidel Castro in 1959.
1956: "Rekava (Line of Destiny)" Release
Lester James Peiris directed "Rekava (Line of Destiny)", released in 1956, which gained international recognition.
1956: Resignation of Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake
Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake resigned in 1956 following nationwide protests sparked by the withdrawal of rice rations.
1956: S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike Elected Prime Minister and Introduces Sinhala Only Act
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike became prime minister in 1956 and introduced the Sinhala Only Act, making Sinhala the sole official language of government, a move that significantly impacted the Tamil community.
1956: SLFP's First Victory
The SLFP achieved its first electoral victory in 1956, defeating the ruling UNP.
1956: Golden Age of Sri Lankan Drama
The premiere of Ediriweera Sarachchandra's play "Maname" in 1956 marked the beginning of a flourishing period for Sri Lankan drama and theatre.
1958: Partial Reversal of the Sinhala Only Act
The Sinhala Only Act, though partially reversed in 1958, remained a point of contention between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
1959: Cuba recognized by Sri Lanka
In 1959, Sri Lanka recognized Cuba under Fidel Castro. This marked a shift in foreign policy under the Bandaranaike government.
1959: Assassination of Prime Minister Bandaranaike
Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was assassinated in 1959 by a Buddhist extremist monk, following controversy surrounding the Sinhala Only Act and government colonization schemes.
July 1960: Sirimavo Bandaranaike Becomes World's First Female Head of Government
In July 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first elected female head of government after assuming the position of Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
1960: Sirimavo Bandaranaike Becomes Prime Minister
Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the widow of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, assumed the role of prime minister in 1960.
1962: Attempted Coup d'état
Sirimavo Bandaranaike's government successfully thwarted an attempted coup d'état in 1962.
1964: "Gamperaliya (The Changing Village)" Release
In 1964, Lester James Peiris released "Gamperaliya (The Changing Village)", another critically acclaimed film.
1964: Sirima-Shastri Pact signed
In 1964, the Sirima-Shastri Pact was signed between Sri Lankan and Indian leaders to address the status of plantation workers of Indian origin in Sri Lanka.
1965: Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Founded
Rohana Wijeweera founded the Marxist-Leninist political party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, in 1965.
1968: "Golu Hadawatha (Cold Heart)" Release
"Golu Hadawatha (Cold Heart)", directed by Lester James Peiris, was released in 1968, adding to his repertoire of acclaimed films.
1970: "Nidhanaya (The Treasure)" Release
Lester James Peiris directed "Nidhanaya (The Treasure)", released in 1970, further solidifying his contribution to Sri Lankan cinema.
1971: Suppression of a Marxist Insurrection
Ceylon faced a Marxist insurrection in 1971, which was quickly put down by the government.
1972: Ceylon Becomes the Republic of Sri Lanka
In 1972, Ceylon formally transitioned into a republic, shedding its dominion status, and adopted the name Sri Lanka.
1972: Establishment of the Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka
In 1972, Ceylon officially became a republic and changed its name to the "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka."
1972: Establishment of the Republic of Sri Lanka
In 1972, Ceylon transitioned from a dominion to a republic and was renamed Sri Lanka.
1972: Tamil United Front Created
With constitutional reforms in 1972, the ACTC and ITAK joined forces to create the Tamil United Front.
1973: World Billiards Championship Win
Muhammad Lafir became the World Billiards Champion in 1973, marking a significant accomplishment for Sri Lanka in cue sports.
1974: Kachchatheevu ceded to Sri Lanka
In 1974, Kachchatheevu, a small island in Palk Strait, was formally ceded to Sri Lanka as part of an agreement between Sri Lanka and India.
1975: Assassination of Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiyappah
The assassination of Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiyappah by the LTTE in 1975 marked a turning point in Tamil militancy in Sri Lanka.
1976: Fifth NAM summit held in Colombo
In 1976, Colombo hosted the fifth Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, reflecting Sri Lanka's active involvement in the movement.
1977: J.R. Jayawardene's Government and Economic Liberalization
In 1977, J.R. Jayawardene's government came to power in Sri Lanka, introducing a new constitution and a free-market economy. This made Sri Lanka the first South Asian nation to liberalize its economy.
1977: Introduction of free market economy
In 1977, Sri Lanka introduced a free market economy, shifting from socialism to policies of privatisation, deregulation, and the promotion of private enterprise.
September 1978: Name Change to Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
On September 7, 1978, the country's official name was changed to the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka." This followed an earlier name change in 1972 to the "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka."
1978: Constitution of 1978
The 1978 constitution of Sri Lanka introduced significant changes to the country's governance, including the eventual establishment of provincial councils in 1987.
1979: Introduction of Broadcast Television
Broadcast television made its debut in Sri Lanka in 1979 with the launch of the Independent Television Network.
1979: Peak Movie Attendance
Movie attendance in Sri Lanka reached its highest point in 1979 but has been declining ever since.
1980: UN Human Rights Council Documentation
Since its formation in 1980, the UN Human Rights Council has recorded over 12,000 named individuals who disappeared while in the custody of security forces in Sri Lanka, marking the second highest global figure.
1981: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Founded
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the largest Muslim political party in Sri Lanka, was founded in 1981.
1983: Ethnic Tensions and Insurgency
Beginning in 1983, ethnic tensions escalated into an insurgency against the government by the LTTE. An attack on 13 soldiers ignited a civil war, followed by anti-Tamil riots that led to the displacement of over 150,000 Tamil civilians.
1983: Outbreak of the Sri Lankan Civil War
The Sri Lankan Civil War, a protracted conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), commenced in 1983.
1985: Peace Talks Begin
From 1985 to 2006, the Sri Lankan government and Tamil insurgents engaged in four rounds of unsuccessful peace talks.
1986: Asia Cup Victory
Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in 1986.
1987: Provincial councils established
In 1987, the 13th Amendment to the 1978 constitution established provincial councils in Sri Lanka, granting them legal status and decentralizing government functions. This was in response to increasing demands for decentralization.
1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and IPKF Deployment
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed in 1987, leading to the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to stabilize the region by neutralizing the LTTE. The same year, the JVP launched its second insurrection.
1989: Temporary merger of Northern and Eastern provinces
Between 1989 and 2006, the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka were temporarily merged to form the North-East Province. This was part of ongoing efforts to manage regional administrative tasks.
October 1990: LTTE Expels Sri Lankan Moors
In October 1990, the LTTE expelled Sri Lankan Moors from northern Sri Lanka.
1992: Emergence of Private Television Networks
Private television networks commenced broadcasting in Sri Lanka in 1992, ending the era of state-controlled television.
1995: South Asian Gold Cup Victory
The Sri Lanka national football team triumphed in the South Asian Gold Cup in 1995.
March 1996: Sri Lanka Wins Cricket World Cup
Sri Lanka, an underdog at the time, won the Cricket World Cup on March 17, 1996, defeating Australia.
1997: Asia Cup Victory
Sri Lanka clinched the Asia Cup title in 1997.
1999: Forest Cover at 29.6%
In 1999, Sri Lanka's forest cover was recorded at 29.6%.
2000: Susanthika Jayasinghe's Olympic Silver
Susanthika Jayasinghe won a silver medal for Sri Lanka in the women's 200 metres at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
October 2001: Tamil National Alliance Succeeds Tamil Parties
In October 2001, the Tamil National Alliance emerged as the successor to previous Tamil political parties like the ACTC and ITAK.
2002: Ceasefire Agreement
In 2002, the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE signed a Norwegian-mediated ceasefire agreement.
2004: Asia Cup Victory
Sri Lanka achieved victory in the Asia Cup in 2004.
2004: Mangroves and the Tsunami
Sri Lanka's mangrove ecosystems played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
2004: Asian Tsunami
The 2004 Asian tsunami devastated Sri Lanka, killing over 30,000 people and displacing more than 500,000.
2005: Economic improvements begin
From 2005 to 2011, Sri Lanka's per capita income doubled, poverty dropped from 15.2% to 7.6%, and the unemployment rate fell from 7.2% to 4.9%. These years marked significant economic improvements in the country.
2006: Resumption of Fighting
Fighting between the LTTE and the government resumed in 2006.
2006: End of North-East Province merger
In 2006, the temporary merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka ended, reverting to their previous administrative status.
2007: Cricket World Cup Runner-Up
Sri Lanka ended as runners-up in the Cricket World Cup in 2007.
2008: Asia Cup Victory
Sri Lanka continued its dominance in the Asia Cup with a win in 2008.
2008: Government Withdraws from Ceasefire
In 2008, the Sri Lankan government officially withdrew from the ceasefire agreement.
2008: Gallup Poll on Religiosity
A 2008 Gallup poll positioned Sri Lanka as the third most religious nation globally, with 99% of Sri Lankans affirming the importance of religion in their daily lives.
May 2009: End of the Civil War
On May 19, 2009, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces defeated the LTTE, ending the 26-year civil war and restoring the Sri Lankan government's control over the entire country.
2009: ICC World Twenty20 Runner-Up
In 2009, Sri Lanka finished as runners-up in the ICC World Twenty20.
2009: End of the Civil War
The Sri Lankan Civil War ended in 2009, but reports of torture continued afterward.
2009: End of the Sri Lankan Civil War
The Sri Lankan Civil War concluded in 2009 with the defeat of the LTTE by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
July 2010: Muralitharan's 800th Wicket
Muttiah Muralitharan achieved his record-breaking 800th Test Cricket wicket during a match against India in July 2010, which Sri Lanka won.
2010: Forest Cover Decline
By 2010, Sri Lanka's forest cover had significantly declined to 28.7%, highlighting the issue of rapid deforestation.
2010: Access to utilities
In 2010, 99% of households in Sri Lanka were electrified, 93.2% had access to safe drinking water, and 53.1% had access to pipe-borne water, reflecting significant improvements in public utilities.
2010: Top travel destination
In 2010, The New York Times placed Sri Lanka at the top of its list of 31 places to visit, highlighting its appeal as a travel destination.
2010: Northern Province GDP growth
In 2010, following the end of the civil war, Sri Lanka's Northern Province reported a record 22.9% GDP growth, highlighting significant economic recovery in the region.
July 2011: 67 Registered Political Parties
As of July 2011, there were 67 registered political parties in Sri Lanka.
2011: Continued economic growth
By 2011, Sri Lanka continued to see economic growth with increased market capitalisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange and a reduction in income inequality, indicated by a Gini coefficient of 0.36.
2011: Global Competitiveness Report
In 2011, the Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum described Sri Lanka's economy as transitioning to the efficiency-driven stage, ranking it 52nd in global competitiveness.
2011: Plan to Rename Organizations Still Using "Ceylon"
In 2011, the Sri Lankan government announced a plan to rename all organizations under its authority that still used "Ceylon" in their names.
2011: Cricket World Cup Runner-Up
Sri Lanka again became the runners-up in the Cricket World Cup in 2011.
2011: End of National Badminton Championships
The annual Sri Lankan National Badminton Championships concluded in 2011.
2012: ICC World Twenty20 Runner-Up
Sri Lanka once again finished as runners-up in the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012.
2012: Carrom World Championship Wins
Sri Lanka's men's team clinched the Carrom World Championship title in 2012, while the women's team secured second place.
2012: Religion in Sri Lanka Census
A census was conducted in 2012 to gather information about the religious landscape and practices of Sri Lanka.
2012: Torture Survivors Report
In 2012, Freedom from Torture reported receiving 233 referrals of torture survivors from Sri Lanka, indicating ongoing torture even after the civil war ended in 2009.
May 2013: UN Human Rights Commissioner's Visit and Observations
UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay visited Sri Lanka in May 2013 and expressed concerns about the state of democracy and the rule of law in the country following the end of the ethnic conflict.
2014: Sri Lanka Wins ICC World Twenty20 and Asia Cup
Sri Lanka secured victories in both the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in 2014.
2015: Mahinda Rajapaksa loses presidential election
In 2015, Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the presidential election, ending his ten-year presidency. His successor, Maithripala Sirisena, decided not to seek re-election in 2019.
2015: Rising Domestic and External Debt
Throughout 2015, Sri Lanka experienced a significant increase in both domestic and external debt. Domestic debt rose by 12%, while external debt surged by 25%.
April 2016: IMF Bailout Agreement
In April 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to provide Sri Lanka with a US$1.5 billion bailout loan to address the country's soaring debt, which had reached near bankruptcy levels due to infrastructure development.
November 2016: IMF Disbursement and Evaluation
In November 2016, the IMF disbursed a larger-than-planned initial tranche of US$162.6 million (SDR 119.894 million) to Sri Lanka. The agency's evaluation of the first tranche was cautiously optimistic, noting the government's implementation of a new Inland Revenue Act and an automatic fuel pricing formula.
2016: High ranking in World Giving Index
In 2016, Sri Lanka ranked 5th in the World Giving Index, demonstrating high levels of contentment and charitable behaviour within its society.
2016: Carrom World Championship Win
Sri Lanka's men's team won the Carrom World Championship again in 2016.
2018: Carrom World Championship Win
The Sri Lankan men's team continued their winning streak, becoming Carrom World Champions once more in 2018.
2018: S&P Dow Jones Indices classification
As of 2018, S&P Dow Jones Indices classified Sri Lanka as a frontier market, reflecting its emerging status in the global economy.
2018: Political Party Splits
In 2018, two major Sri Lankan political parties, the UNP and UPFA, experienced splits, leading to the formation of new parties: Samagi Jana Balawegaya and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
2018: Chinese Bailout Loan
In 2018, China stepped in to provide Sri Lanka with a $1.25 billion loan to help the country manage its foreign debt repayment obligations, particularly between 2019 and 2021.
April 2019: Easter Sunday Bombings and Counter-Terrorism Operation
On April 21, 2019, the terrorist group National Thowheeth Jama'ath carried out the Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka, killing 261 people. On April 26, 2019, the Sri Lanka Army launched a successful counter-terrorism operation, effectively ending the National Thowheeth Jama'ath's insurgency.
November 2019: Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins presidential election
In November 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the younger brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, won the presidential election in Sri Lanka. This marked the return of the Rajapaksa family to power. Gotabaya was subsequently sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka.
2019: Economic decline begins
Since 2019, Sri Lanka's economy has been in decline, contributing to rising anti-government sentiment. The deteriorating economic conditions set the stage for the political crisis that would unfold in 2022.
2019: Economic Crisis Begins
Sri Lanka's economic troubles began in 2019 due to factors like rising foreign debt, government budget deficits, declining remittances, and a food crisis.
July 2020: WHO Declaration of Rubella and Measles Elimination
On July 8, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Sri Lanka had successfully eliminated both rubella and measles ahead of the target goal of 2023.
July 2020: Human Rights Watch Report
In July 2020, Human Rights Watch reported that the Sri Lankan government was targeting journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders to suppress criticism.
August 2020: SLPP wins parliamentary elections
In August 2020, the Rajapaksa family's political party, Sri Lanka People's Front (SLPP), achieved a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. This consolidated the family's grip on power, with five members of the Rajapaksa family securing seats in the new parliament and Mahinda Rajapaksa becoming the new prime minister.
2020: Media Landscape in Sri Lanka
As of 2020, Sri Lanka had a diverse media landscape, including 192 newspapers published in various languages, 25 active television stations, and 58 operational radio stations.
June 2021: Nationwide Ban on Inorganic Fertilisers and Pesticides
In June 2021, Sri Lanka imposed a complete ban on inorganic fertilisers and pesticides across the nation. While the program received support from advisor Vandana Shiva, it drew criticism from scientists and farmers who expressed concerns about potential agricultural collapse and financial instability, particularly in the tea industry.
August 2021: Food Emergency Declared
In August 2021, a food emergency was declared in Sri Lanka due to the worsening economic situation.
September 2021: Economic Crisis Declaration
Sri Lanka declared a major economic crisis in September 2021. The Governor of the Central Bank resigned amidst the crisis, and the Parliament implemented emergency regulations to address food hoarding.
November 2021: Abandonment of Organic Farming Plan
Following rising food prices and sustained protests, Sri Lanka reversed its decision to become a fully organic farming nation in November 2021.
December 2021: Impact of Fertiliser Ban
By December 2021, the repercussions of the fertiliser ban were evident in Sri Lanka's agricultural sector. Vegetable prices had increased considerably, and the time required for the industry to recover remained uncertain.
June 2022: Muttiah Muralitharan's Record
As of June 2022, Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the highest aggregate wickets in Test Cricket, with 800 wickets.
June 2022: Economic Collapse
In June 2022, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the collapse of the Sri Lankan economy in parliament.
July 9, 2022: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Resigns
On July 9, 2022, amidst protests and a severe economic crisis, protesters stormed the President's House, leading to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation. The Prime Minister's residence was also attacked and burnt down.
July 2022: Ranil Wickremesinghe Becomes President
Following his victory in the 2022 presidential election, Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office as the ninth President of Sri Lanka in July 2022 and initiated economic reforms to stabilize the country's economy.
July 20, 2022: Ranil Wickremesinghe elected as President
On July 20, 2022, Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the ninth President of Sri Lanka through a parliamentarian election.
2022: JVP's Popularity Surge
Following the events of 2022, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) gained significant popularity in Sri Lanka.
2022: Political crisis in Sri Lanka
In 2022, Sri Lanka faced a political crisis fueled by a power struggle between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Parliament. The crisis was exacerbated by anti-government protests and demonstrations, as well as a worsening economy since 2019. This led to unprecedented political instability in the country.
2022: Predicted Paddy Harvest Reduction
Jeevika Weerahewa, a senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya, projected a significant 50% reduction in Sri Lanka's paddy harvest in 2022 due to the fertiliser ban.
2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking
Sri Lanka achieved a ranking of 90th on the Global Innovation Index in 2023.