Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1658
Following a treaty with the Kandyan kingdom, the Dutch, who arrived in 1602, establish a mono-
poly on the spice market and wrest control of coastal Sri Lanka from the Portuguese.
1796
The Netherlands, under French control, surrenders Ceylon to the British. The shift is initially
thought to be temporary, and the British administer the island from Madras, India.
1802
After the decline of the Dutch, Sri Lanka becomes a British colony. The island is viewed as a stra-
tegic bulwark against French expansion, but its commercial potential is soon recognised.
1815
Determined to rule the entire island, the British finally conquer the Kandyan kingdom. It's the
first (and only) time all of Sri Lanka is ruled by a European power.
1832
Sweeping changes in property laws open the door to British settlers. English becomes the official
language, state monopolies are abolished and capital flows in, funding the establishment of cof-
fee plantations.
1843-59
Unable to persuade the Sinhalese to labour on plantations, the British bring in almost one million
Tamil labourers from South India. Today 'Plantation Tamils' are 4% of the population.
1870s
The coffee industry drives the development of roads, ports and railways, but leaf blight decimates
the coffee industry and plantations are converted to growing tea or rubber.
late 19th century
