Presidents of Sri Lanka

List of Presidents of Sri Lanka

William Gopallawa

William Gopallawa, MBE was the last Governor-General of Ceylon from 1962 to 1972 and became the first President of Sri Lanka when Ceylon declared itself a republic in 1972 and changed its name to Sri Lanka. 

Born: September 17, 1896, Matale

Died: January 31, 1981, Colombo

Succeeded by: J. R. Jayewardene

Presidential term: May 22, 1972 – February 4, 1978

Children: Monty Gopallawa

Education: Dharmaraja College, St. Anthony's College, Kandy

J. R. Jayewardene

Junius Richard Jayewardene, famously abbreviated in Sri Lanka as JR, was the leader of Sri Lanka from 1977 to 1989, serving as Prime Minister from 1977 to 1978 and as the second President of Sri Lanka from 1978 till 1989. 

Born: September 17, 1906, Colombo

Died: November 1, 1996, Colombo

Succeeded by: Ranasinghe Premadasa

Spouse: Elina Jayewardene (m. 1935)

Siblings: Hector Wilfred Jayewardene

Children: Ravindra Vimal Jayewardene

Ranasinghe Premadasa

Sri Lankabhimanya Ranasinghe Premadasa was the third President of Sri Lanka from 2 January 1989 to 1 May 1993. Before that, he served as the Prime Minister in the government headed by J. R. Jayewardene from 6 February 1978 to 1 January 1989. 

Born: June 23, 1924, Colombo

Assassinated: May 1, 1993, Colombo

Succeeded by: Dingiri Banda Wijetunga

Spouse: Hema Premadasa

Education: St. Joseph's College, Colombo

Children: Sajith Premadasa

Dingiri Banda Wijetunga

Sri Lankabhimanya Dingiri Banda Wijetunga was the fourth President of Sri Lanka from 1 May 1993 to 12 November 1994, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 3 March 1989 to 7 May 1993 and the Governor of North Western province, Sri Lanka from 1988 to 1989. 

Born: February 15, 1916, Udunuwara Divisional Secretariat

Died: September 21, 2008, Kandy

Succeeded by: Chandrika Kumaratunga

Presidential term: May 7, 1993 – November 12, 1994

Political party: United National Party

First day in office: May 7, 1993

Chandrika Kumaratunga

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the fifth President of Sri Lanka, from 12 November 1994 to 19 November 2005. 

Born: June 29, 1945 (age 71), Colombo

Spouse: Vijaya Kumaranatunga (m. 1978–1988)

Parents: Sirimavo Bandaranaike, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike

Siblings: Anura Bandaranaike, Sunethra Bandaranaike

Children: Vimukthi Kumaratunga, Yasodhara Kumaranatunga Walker

Education: École pratique des hautes études (1970–1973)

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Former President of Sri Lanka

Percy Mahendra "Mahinda" Rajapaksa, MP is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the sixth President of Sri Lanka from 19 November 2005 to 9 January 2015. 

Born: November 18, 1945 (age 70), Weeraketiya

Succeeded by: Maithripala Sirisena

Spouse: Shiranthi Rajapaksa (m. 1983)

Children: Namal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Rohitha Rajapaksa

Siblings: Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, more

Education: Richmond College, Thurstan College, Sri Lanka Law College, Nalanda College, Colombo

Profiles

Maithripala Sirisena

President of Sri Lanka

Pallewatte Gamaralalage Maithripala Yapa Sirisena is a Sri Lankan politician who is the 7th and current President of Sri Lanka, since 2015. 

Born: September 3, 1951 (age 64), Yagoda, Sri Lanka

Spouse: Jayanthi Pushpa Kumari

Siblings: Priyantha Sirisena

Parents: A. D. Nandawathie, Albert Sirisena

Children: Daham Tharaka, Chathurika Sirisena, Dharani Sirisena

Education: Maxim Gorky Literature Institute, Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa

Kings of Sri Lanka

Prince Vijaya

First monarch Vijaya

Last monarch Sri Vikrama Rajasinha

Formation 543 BC

Abolition 1815

Residence Tambapanni, Anuradhapura, Pulatthinagara,[1] Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy

DevanampiyaTissa

First monarch Vijaya

Last monarch Sri Vikrama Rajasinha

Formation 543 BC

Abolition 1815

Residence Tambapanni, Anuradhapura, Pulatthinagara,[1] Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy

Sri Vikrama Rajasinghe

First monarch

Last monarch Sri Vikrama Rajasinha

Formation 543 BC

Abolition 1815

Residence Tambapanni, Anuradhapura, Pulatthinagara,[1] Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy

Wonders of the world

Wonders of the world

The classic seven wonders were:

1. Great Pyramid of Giza.
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia.
4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.
5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
6. Colossus of Rhodes.
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria.

Great Pyramid of Giza

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus

Colossus of Rhodes

Lighthouse of Alexandria

Modern history

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Early modern period

Main article: Early Modern period

"Early Modern period is a term used by historians to refer to the period between the Middle Ages (Post-classical era) and the Industrial Revolution – roughly 1500 to 1800. The Early Modern period is characterized by the rise of science, and by increasingly rapid technological progress, secularized civic politics, and the nation-state. Capitalist economies began their rise, initially in northern Italian republics such as Genoa. The Early Modern period also saw the rise and dominance of the mercantilist economic theory. As such, the Early Modern period represents the decline and eventual disappearance, in much of the European sphere, of feudalism, serfdom and the power of the Catholic Church. The period includes the late decades of the Protestant Reformation, the disastrous Thirty Years' War, the Age of Discovery, European colonial expansion, and the peak of European witch-hunting.

Renaissance

Europe's Renaissance, beginning in the 14th century, consisted of the rediscovery of the classical world's scientific contributions, and of the economic and social rise of Europe. The Renaissance also engendered a culture of inquisitiveness which ultimately led to Humanism and the Scientific Revolution. Although it saw social and political upheaval and revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, the Renaissance is perhaps known best for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man".

This era in European culture also saw the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and the 17th-century Age of Enlightenment, which led to the Scientific Revolution.

European expansion

Further information: History of Europe, Age of Discovery, Colonialism, 16th century, and 17th century

World map by Ortelius, 1570, incorporating new discoveries by Europeans

Movable-type printing press arose in mid-15th century. 50 years later, nine million books were in print.

During this period, European powers came to dominate most of the world. The most developed regions of classical civilization were more urbanized than any other region of the world until early modern times. This civilization had, however, gradually declined and collapsed; historians still debate the causes.

Regional developments

Persia came under the rule of the Safavid Empire in 1501, succeeded by the Afsharid Empire in 1736, and the Qajar Empire in 1796. Areas to the north and east were held by Uzbeks and Pashtuns. The Ottoman Empire, after taking Constantinople in 1453, quickly gained control of the Middle East, the Balkans, and most of North Africa.

The Pacific islands of Oceania would also be affected by European contact, starting with the circumnavigational voyage of Ferdinand Magellan, who landed on the Marianas and other islands in 1521. Also notable were the voyages (1642–44) of Abel Tasman to present-day Australia, New Zealand and nearby islands, and the voyages (1768-1779) of Captain James Cook, who made the first recorded European contact with Hawaii. Britain would found its first colony on Australia in 1788.

History of Sri Lanka

Sucession of  Kings

Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) King of Upatissa Nuwara and the first monarch of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and 6th over all of the island of Sri Lanka since the arrival of the Vijaya, he reigned from 437 BC to 367 BC. According to many historians and philosophers, he is the first truly Sri Lankan king since the Vijayan invasion, and also the king who ended the conflict between the Sinha clan and local community, reorganizing the populace.

Pre-era

Elara (205–161 BC), a Tamil King with Chola origins, who ruled "Pihiti Rata", i.e., Sri Lanka north of the mahaweli, after killing King Asela. During Elara's time, Kelani Tissa was a sub-king of Maya Rata (south-west) and Kavan Tissa was a regional sub-king of Ruhuna (south-east). Kavan Tissa built Tissa Maha Vihara, Dighavapi Tank and many shrines in Seruvila. Dutugemunu (161–137 BC) – Eldest son of King Kavan Tissa, who was a young man 25 years of age, defeated the South Indian Tamil Invader Elara (over 64 years of age) in single combat, described in the Mahavamsa. Dutugemunu is depicted as a Sinhala "Asoka". The Ruwanwelisaya, built by this king is a dagaba of pyramid-like proportions. It was an engineering marvel.

Post-era

Pulahatta (or Pulahatha) deposed by Bahiya, was deposed by Panaya Mara, deposed by Pilaya Mara, murdered by Dathiya 88 BC – deposed by Valagambahu, ending Tamil rule. Valagambahu I (89–77) BC – restored the Dutugamunu dynasty. The Mahavihara Theravada – Abhayagiri (pro-Mahayana) doctrinal disputes arose at this time. The Tripitaka was written in Pali at Aluvihara, Matale. Chora Naga (Mahanaga) (63–51) BC; poisoned by his consort Anula. Queen Anula (48–44 BC) – Widow of Chora Naga and Kuda Tissa, was the first Queen of Lanka. She had many lovers who were poisoned by her. She was finally killed by: Kuttakanna Tissa. Vasabha (67–111 AD) – Vallipuram gold plate; he fortified Anuradhapura and built eleven tanks; many edicts. Gajabahu I (114–136) – invaded the Chola kingdom and brought back captives. He recovered the tooth relic of the Buddha.

Civilization

A civilization (US) is any complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, symbolic communication forms (typically, writing systems), and a perceived separation from and domination over the natural environment by a cultural elite. Civilizations are intimately associated with and often further defined by other socio-politico-economic characteristics, including centralization, the domestication of both humans and other organisms, specialization of labor, culturally ingrained ideologies of progress and supremacism, monumental architecture, taxation, societal dependence upon farming as an agricultural practice, and expansionism.

How Was Earth Formed?

Thereare two theories as to how planets in the solar system were created. The first and most widely accepted, core accretion, works well with the formation of the terrestrial planets like Earth but has problems with giant planets. The second, the disk instability method, may account for the creation of giant planets. Scientists are continuing to study planets in and out of the solar system in an effort to better understand which of these methods is most accurate.

The core accretion model

Approximately 4.6 billion years ago, the solar system was a cloud of dust and gas known as a solar nebula. Gravity collapsed the material in on itself as it began to spin, forming the sun in the center of the nebula.

With the rise of the sun, the remaining material began to clump up. Small particles drew together, bound by the force of gravity, into larger particles. The solar wind swept away lighter elements, such as hydrogen and helium, from the closer regions, leaving only heavy, rocky materials to create smaller terrestrial worlds like Earth. But farther away, the solar winds had less impact on lighter elements, allowing them to coalesce into gas giants. In this way, asteroids, comets, planets, and moons were created.

Earth's rocky core formed first, with heavy elements colliding and binding together. Dense material sank to the center, while the lighter pieces created the crust. The planet's magnetic field probably formed around this time. Gravity captured some of the lighter elements that make up the planet's early atmosphere.

Early in its evolution, Earth suffered an impact by a large body that catapulted pieces of the young planet's mantle into space.  Gravity caused many of these pieces to draw together and form the moon, which took up orbit around its creator.

The flow of the mantle beneath the crust causes plate tectonics, the movement of the large plates of rock on the surface of the Earth. collisions and friction gave rise to mountains and volcanoes, which began to spew gases into the atmosphere.

Although the population of comets and asteroids passing through the inner solar system is sparse today, they were more abundant when the planets and sun were young. Collisions from these icy bodies likely deposited much of the Earth's water on its surface. Because the planet is in the Goldilocks zone, the region where liquid water neither freezes nor evaporates bur can remain as a liquid, the water remained at the surface, which many feel plays a key role in the development of life.

The disk instability model

Although the core accretion model works fine for terrestrial planets, gas giants would have needed to evolve rapidly to grab hold of the significant mass of lighter gases they contain. But simulations have not been able to account for this rapid formation. According to models, the process takes several million years, longer than the light gases were available in the early solar system. At the same time, the core accretion model faces a migration issue, as the baby planets are likely to spiral into the sun in a short amount of time.

According to a relatively new theory, disk instability, clumps of dust and gas are bound together early in the life of the solar system. Over time, these clumps slowly compact into a giant planet. These planets can form faster than their core accretion rivals, sometimes in as little as a thousand years, allowing them to trap the rapidly-vanishing lighter gases. They also quickly reach an orbit-stabilizing mass that keeps them from death-marching into the sun.

As scientists continue to study planets inside of the solar system, as well as around other stars, they will better understand how Earth and its siblings formed.

Prehistory

Prehistory

Beginning

The term "prehistory" can refer to the vast span of time since the beginning of the Universe or the Earth, but more often it refers to the period since life appeared on Earth, or even more specifically to the time since human-like beings appeared.[2][3]

End

The date marking the end of prehistory in a particular culture or region, that is, the date when relevant written historical records become a useful academic resource, varies enormously from region to region. For example, in Egypt it is generally accepted that prehistory ended around 3200 BC, whereas in New Guinea the end of the prehistoric era is set much more recently, at around 1900 AD. In Europe the relatively well-documented classical cultures of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome had neighbouring cultures, including the Celts and to a lesser extent the Etruscans, with little or no writing, and historians must decide how much weight to give to the often highly prejudiced accounts of these "prehistoric" cultures in Greek and Roman literature.

Time periods

In dividing up human prehistory, historians typically use the three-age system, whereas scholars of pre-human time periods typically use the well-defined geologic record and its internationally defined stratum base within the geologic time scale. The three-age system is the periodization of human prehistory into three consecutive time periods, named for their respective predominant tool-making technologies:

• Stone Age
• Bronze Age
• Iron Age