Dear Italy.. Greetings from Sri Lanka!

Previously, I have highlighted some History About Sri Lanka. If you haven't check that yet, I kindly suggest you to read that first.

Today I’m going to continue my previous topic, however today's post is not about the history we want to remind about. But those were very crucial moments to the shape of the country today.

Take any great nation, each and every nation has faced a war in history. Sri Lanka is not any exception, we too had so many battles since the first evidence of the history. Do you Remember Valmiki’s Ramayana from my previous post? There was a great battle between Prince Rama from India & King Ravana from Lanka. Afterwards, Sri Lanka had so many kings and queens ruling the country, many had to battle to secure the power, there were foreign invasions.

source an illustration of Prince Rama & King Ravana

Most famous among all kings in history could be The Great King Dutugamunu. His story is a fascinating story. Because before King Dutugamunu unit whole Sri Lanka, the upper part of the country was ruled by Elara, the most powerful foreign ruler to invade Sri Lanka. The Great King Dutugamunu with the help of his army of Ten Great Giants of Iron Power was able to defeat Elara. History recons this period as the greatest time as it was so prosperous.

source a painting depicting the Elara-Dutugemunu war

After a long run of 1400 years ruled by more than 120 kings, the main kingdom Anuradhapura changed. New kingdoms were chosen all over the country depending on the king's ability and wish. Kotte city was the new kingdom. Adverse wind flew by the Indian ocean and Lourenço de Almeida the Portuguese explorer blown into Colombo in 1505. They came with trading options, had an influence on the king’s decision. The country was divided into 03 separate kingdoms. In 1597 Portuguese had a gift. King Dharmapala presented the Kotte Kingdom to the Portuguese by a deed after his death.

Can you believe that? 😱😱😱

After few years Portuguese were able to capture another kingdom. Now only Kandy were left out. Strategically kingdom was situated in Central Highlands. Portuguese attacked but never saw a victory.

source an illustration of foreign cruelty

Kingdom wanted a new friend. They saw Dutch. A new agreement made, with Dutch support Portuguese were out of the country by 1658.

Now Sri Lanka has a new enemy “The Dutch”.

Wanted another friend, here comes “British”.

Bye, Bye Dutch. 👋

Now Sri Lanka has a new enemy “The British”.

British captured the last king in Sri Lanka on 15th Feb 1815.

source a painting depicting the capture of Last King

Fall of 181 kings Royal Dynasty. Believed to be the world's longest Royal Dynasty which survived over 2350 years since 543 BC.