<P> Between 1948 and 1972 , Ceylon was an independent country in the Commonwealth of Nations that shared a monarch with Australia , Canada , New Zealand and the United Kingdom , and certain other sovereign states . In 1948 , the British Colony of Ceylon was granted independence as Ceylon . In 1972 , the country became a republic within the Commonwealth , and its name was changed to Sri Lanka . It was an island country in South Asia , located about 31 kilometres ( 19.3 mi ) off the southern coast of India . </P>
<P> Between 1948 and 1972 , Ceylon was an independent country in the Commonwealth of Nations that shared a monarch with Australia , Canada , New Zealand and the United Kingdom , and certain other sovereign states . In 1948 , the British Colony of Ceylon was granted independence as Ceylon . In 1972 , the country became a republic within the Commonwealth , and its name was changed to Sri Lanka . It was an island country in South Asia , located about 31 kilometres ( 19.3 mi ) off the southern coast of India . </P>
when did ceylon change its name to sri lanka
when did ceylon change its name to sri lanka
1972
1972