Today, February 4, is Sri Lankan Independence Day! You can read more about it here. In short, the island-nation of Ceylon gained its independence from the British Empire in 1948. Its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972, the year I was born! After many years of foreign rule, Sri Lanka finally gained its independence. The years that followed have not been peaceful or easy, but now that there is finally peace in the country (after over 30 years of civil war), we all hope for a better future for every Sri Lankan.
Here's something intriguing: my grandparents were born in the British colony of Ceylon, my mother was born in the independent nation of Ceylon, and I was born in the newly-named Sri Lanka!
This is the flag of Sri Lanka:
Midcentury Ceylon seems to have been a great place to live. I always love looking through photos of my family members from the '50s and '60s.
Here are some wonderful midcentury images of Ceylon as an emerging tourist destination:
The above are TWA airlines' ads for its new service to the island of Ceylon, and below it a gorgeous mural by artist Mario Zamparelli depicting Ceylon, with a sari-clad lady and a detail of ancient lions statues. The Asiatic lion is an symbol of Sri Lanka.
I'm going to try and find some more Mid Century photos of family members, to give you some idea of what people were like in Sri Lanka those days. Stay tuned!
Here's something intriguing: my grandparents were born in the British colony of Ceylon, my mother was born in the independent nation of Ceylon, and I was born in the newly-named Sri Lanka!
This is the flag of Sri Lanka:
Midcentury Ceylon seems to have been a great place to live. I always love looking through photos of my family members from the '50s and '60s.
Here are some wonderful midcentury images of Ceylon as an emerging tourist destination:
The above are TWA airlines' ads for its new service to the island of Ceylon, and below it a gorgeous mural by artist Mario Zamparelli depicting Ceylon, with a sari-clad lady and a detail of ancient lions statues. The Asiatic lion is an symbol of Sri Lanka.
I'm going to try and find some more Mid Century photos of family members, to give you some idea of what people were like in Sri Lanka those days. Stay tuned!
