Today Sri Lanka celebrates 70 years of independence.
Initially the country was occupied by the Portuguese who arrived in 1505. Subsequently the Dutch ruled from 1640 until their surrender to the British in 1796, who administered the island as a crown colony. In 1815 the entire island came under British rule and thus the country became Ceylon. Independence was achieved in 1948 and Ceylon became a dominion within the British Commonwealth. In 1972 the country voted to become a republic with its own head of state and henceforth became known as Sri Lanka.
Sadly these fireworks weren't seen here. Celebrations today were rather muted!
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