- 1. Ceylon became an independent republic in 1972, officially renaming itself Sri Lanka, a significant milestone that marked the country's transition from colonial rule to self-governance and nationhood. The journey towards independence began with the struggle against British colonial domination, which lasted for over a century and had a profound impact on the island's culture, economy, and society. Following a series of constitutional reforms and negotiations, Ceylon finally achieved dominion status in 1948, allowing it to govern itself while still remaining part of the British Commonwealth. However, the push for complete independence was fueled by nationalistic sentiments and the desire for a unique Sri Lankan identity. The 1972 republican constitution not only established Sri Lanka as a fully sovereign nation but also reflected a commitment to the ideals of social justice, equality, and the protection of the rich cultural heritage of its diverse population. The transition was marked by celebrations and a renewed sense of hope among Sri Lankans as they embraced their new status, although it simultaneously set the stage for complex political challenges in the ensuing decades, including ethnic tensions that would later escalate into civil conflict.
When did Ceylon become the independent Republic of Sri Lanka?
A) 1972
B) 1948
C) 1965
D) 1985
- 2. What was the capital of Ceylon before it became Sri Lanka?
A) Galle
B) Kandy
C) Colombo
D) Jaffna
- 3. Which ethnic group constitutes the majority of the population in Sri Lanka?
A) Moors
B) Tamils
C) Burgees
D) Sinhalese
- 4. Who was the first President of Sri Lanka?
A) William Gopallawa
B) Ranasinghe Premadasa
C) Maithripala Sirisena
D) J.R. Jayewardene
- 5. Which political party was in power when Sri Lanka became a republic?
A) Tamil National Alliance
B) Sri Lanka Freedom Party
C) United National Party
D) Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
- 6. What is the highest mountain in Sri Lanka?
A) Adam's Peak
B) Pidurutalagala
C) Samanala Kanda
D) Knuckles Mountain Range
- 7. Which ocean surrounds Sri Lanka?
A) Indian Ocean
B) Atlantic Ocean
C) Pacific Ocean
D) Arctic Ocean
- 8. What is the currency of Sri Lanka?
A) Pound
B) Sri Lankan Rupee
C) Yen
D) Dinar
- 9. Which religion has the largest following in Sri Lanka?
A) Islam
B) Buddhism
C) Hinduism
D) Christianity
- 10. What is the famous rock fortress in Sri Lanka that served as a royal palace?
A) Dambulla
B) Polonnaruwa
C) Anuradhapura
D) Sigiriya
- 11. Where is the Temple of the Tooth located?
A) Kandy
B) Anuradhapura
C) Dambulla
D) Polonnaruwa
- 12. Who was the first female Prime Minister in the world elected in Sri Lanka?
A) Margaret Thatcher
B) Sirimavo Bandaranaike
C) Golda Meir
D) Indira Gandhi
- 13. What is the national sport of Sri Lanka?
A) Cricket
B) Football
C) Soccer
D) Volleyball
- 14. What is the climate of Sri Lanka?
A) Temperate
B) Arctic
C) Tropical
D) Desert
- 15. Who is known as the 'Father of the Nation' in Sri Lanka?
A) D.S. Senanayake
B) Maithripala Sirisena
C) Ranasinghe Premadasa
D) J.R. Jayewardene
- 16. Which animal is a symbol of Sri Lanka and appears on its national flag?
A) Elephant
B) Leopard
C) Peacock
D) Lion
- 17. Who is the cricketing legend from Sri Lanka known as 'Master Blaster'?
A) Sanath Jayasuriya
B) Mahela Jayawardene
C) Muttiah Muralitharan
D) Kumar Sangakkara
- 18. What is the most important river in Sri Lanka for agriculture and transportation?
A) Mahaweli River
B) Walawe River
C) Sri Pada River
D) Kelani River
- 19. When did Ceylon gain independence from British colonial rule?
A) 1970
B) 1948
C) 1954
D) 1962
- 20. Which year marked the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War?
A) 2012
B) 1995
C) 2018
D) 2009
- 21. Who was the President of Sri Lanka during the end of the Civil War in 2009?
A) Maithripala Sirisena
B) Ranasinghe Premadasa
C) Mahinda Rajapaksa
D) Chandrika Kumaratunga
- 22. What is the official language of Sri Lanka?
A) Urdu
B) Sinhala and Tamil
C) English
D) Hindi
- 23. What is the traditional Tamil harvest festival celebrated in Sri Lanka?
A) Thai Pongal
B) Vesak
C) Kandy Esala Perahera
D) Navratri
- 24. Which Sri Lankan city is known for its Dutch colonial architecture?
A) Trincomalee
B) Nuwara Eliya
C) Kandy
D) Galle
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