Part of the country series of articles.
| Socialist Republic of Ceylon | |
|---|---|
| Socialist Republic | |
 |
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| Capital | Colombo |
| Languages | Sinhala, Tamil, English |
| Population | 19,500,000 |
The Socialist Republic of Ceylon (also Sri Lanka in Sinhala and ilankai in Tamil) is an island republic in the Indian Ocean, situated off the southeast coast of India. It is moderately prosperous for a South Asian island country, and a longstanding member of the non-aligned movement and COMOC. It is historically neutral, and has developed a strong diplomatic presence throughout the greater Asian hemisphere.
Ceylon is famous for its tea, which has been cultivated there for centuries and once dominated international supply. It is also known for its textiles, precious stones and a modest shipbuilding industry. Manufacturing has expanded significantly since independence under a succession of five-year plans, and Ceylon is sometimes referred to as the “factory of South Asia.” It has benefitted from its factories, and has modern schools and hospitals.
The country maintains close ties with Britain, its former colonial master, and has warm relations with the Commonwealth. It has tepid relations with India, which has historically interfered in its domestic affairs.