Description
For ease of the reader, the terms Ceylon and Malaya are used interchangeably with their corresponding contemporary reference of Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Specific reference to Ceylon and Malaya is generally favoured where a historical or chronological nuance is considered apt, as elucidated in the following brief backdrop.
On 22nd May 1972, the Government under Prime Minister, Madam Sirimavo Bandaranaike, introduced a new constitution whereby the Island-nation became a Republic. In sympathy with the political sentiments of the time, its hitherto British colonial name, Ceylon (derived from its earlier names Sailan, Ceilao, Illankai based on the ancient Sinhala reference of the Island as Sihaladvipa). was changed to Sri Lanka - "Sri" in Sinhala means resplen- dent or venerable. "Lanka", being an ancient reference of the Island was adopted in combination with Sri, as a more inspiring and appropriate name for the newborn Republic.
