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32 Sri Lanka Navy Journal Sri Lanka Navy Journal 33

Indeed, since at least the 2nd century BCE, Sri Lanka’s strategic geograph- as a key destination for Silk Roads exchanges. However, while Sri Lanka became
ic location has permitted maritime transactions in terms of both economic and more popular among the world mariners, the national identity of the country
cultural exchanges, according to a variety of sources. For instance, Alexandria’s was also impacted in many ways.
world map made by Ptolemy depicts the country’s importance in global trade at
the time and below figure three indicates the map of Sri Lanka cartographic by In contrast, the arrival of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British con-
Ptolemy. verted the country to a colony and it created a huge impact on changing the
national identity. Moreover, for almost 350 years the country was ruled fully or
partially as a colony of Europeans. In particular, colonisation has significantly
changed the country’s legal system, economy including culture. For instance, the
country’s economy has been converted to an export and import economy which
has changed the national identity of the country while making Sri Lanka a brand
name for supplying tea, rubber, cinnamon and coconut.

For example, Somasunderam (2001) explained that Colbert, the French
Minister of Finance, envisioned a French Empire in the East, centred on Sri Lan-
ka. In 1672, under the command of Jacob de la Haye, a huge French fleet was
dispatched, and the French administration obtained permission from the King
of Kandy to utilise the Trincomalee Harbour. Indeed, during the two World Wars
country was a British colony, and her strategic location was significant for the
Figure 3: Ptolemy map of Thaprobana
elite forces. In particular, during World War II, the Imperial Japanese Air Force’s
Source: Attanayaka, 2021
invention of Trincomalee and Colombo harbour is unique in identifying how it
has affected the Country’s national identity.
More specifically, a variety of maps and mariner’s trip diaries attest to

the significance of Sri Lankan port towns and cities along the ancient Silk Roads. Lastly, it has identified the culture, ethnicity, political system, religion and
In fact, the arrival of Prince Vijaya to Mahathitha harbour was significant in Sri economy including many disciplines of the country that have been impacted in
Lankan history which started a new era in the country and country recognized various ways due to the arrival of foreign nations with an interest in commerce
as Sinhalese’s country. Subsequently, the arrival, of Buddhism from India caused and maritime trade.
to change in the national identity of the country significantly labeling the coun-
try as a Buddhist country. Likewise, from time to time intervention by South As a result, Tamil people from South India, Aryans from North India, Mus-
Indian, Kerala, Pandya and Chola kings also influenced long-term multi-sectoral lims from Arab countries, Burgher people and African people along with fever
impacts on the national identity of the country (Chauhan, 2020). minor groups also mixed with Sri Lankan society and at present more than 16
minor ethnic groups are living in Sri Lanka. Indeed it is evident that those settle-
Moreover, the invasion of Sri Lanka by the south Indian Kin ‘Kalin- ments and blendings with the Sri Lankan community created deeper impacts on
ga Magha’ in 1215 AD was significant in pushing Tamil-origin people towards the country’s national identity.
northern and eastern Sri Lanka while Sinhalese were pushing southward. In-
deed, this unique demarcation has created a significant impact on Sri Lankan Impact of Strategic Location on Sri Lanka’s National Identity During
national identity until today. Post-Colonial Period

In particular, the mountain Adams Peak was a well-known touchdown In contrast, after independence from the British because of its position,
place for Arab seamen who referred to Sri Lanka as ‘Serendib’ Island. Similarly, Sri Lanka had tremendous geostrategic importance during the Cold War and
on the map of Serendib created by the geographer Al-Idvisi in the 12th century was wanted by both enemy camps. Likewise during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war
CE, it occupied a prominent place. Also, in the 14th century, Iban-Batuta listed country’s strategic location became vulnerable and it still impacted bilateral re-
several cities and important harbours of the country in his writings. Subsequent- lations in the region.
ly, Sri Lankan harbour towns and cities appeared on many historically signifi-
cant cartographic documents from antiquity to the 16th century and functioned