Sri Lanka: Formerly Known as Ceylon

Yes, the island nation now called Sri Lanka was historically known as Ceylon. Located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India, the country adopted its current name in 1972 when it became a republic, shedding its colonial-era designation.

Under the name Ceylon, the island was famous for its tea, cinnamon, and gemstones, and was a British crown colony from 1802 to 1948. The name change to Sri Lanka—meaning "resplendent island" in Sanskrit—reflected a reclamation of indigenous identity. Today, Sri Lanka is renowned for its ancient Buddhist ruins, diverse wildlife, stunning beaches, and world-class tea plantations in the central highlands.