What was Sri Lanka formerly known as?

As an expert in historical geography and cultural studies, I have a deep understanding of how nations and their names evolve over time. The island nation of Sri Lanka has a rich and varied history, reflected in its various names throughout the ages. To address your question, let's delve into the historical context and the reasons behind the changes of its name. Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, has been known by several names in different eras and by different civilizations. The name Ceylon is perhaps the most widely recognized from the relatively recent past. This name was given by the Portuguese, who arrived in the late 15th century, and it remained in use during the subsequent periods of Dutch and British colonial rule. Before the Portuguese arrival, the island was known to Arab traders as Serendib, a name derived from the Sanskrit 'Sinhala Dvipa', which translates to 'the island of Sinhalese'. The term 'Serendib' is believed to have been the origin of the word 'serendipity', coined by Horace Walpole in the 18th century, referring to the fortunate discovery of something not sought. The ancient Greeks and Romans referred to the island as Taprobane, which is thought to be a corruption of the name of the river 'Tambapanni', a historical name for the region that is now part of southern Sri Lanka. In the Sinhalese language, the country is known as Lanka or Heladiva, which translates to 'beautiful island'. The term Heladiva is often used to evoke the island's image as a paradise on earth. The Tamil name for the island, Ila?kai, also reflects the rich cultural heritage and the deep historical roots of the Tamil people who have inhabited the island for millennia. In 1972, the formal name of the country was changed to the "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka" in an effort to assert its independence and identity after gaining self-governance from the British Empire in 1948. This change was part of a broader movement to shed the colonial past and to establish a unique national identity. Later, in 1978, the country's name was changed again to the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka", reflecting the socialist policies and the direction the country was taking under its then government. The name Sri Lanka itself is a modern appellation that has been widely adopted internationally. It is a combination of the words 'Sri', meaning 'venerable' or 'beautiful', and 'Lanka', the island's ancient name. This name was chosen to represent the island's rich cultural heritage and to unify the various ethnic groups living on the island under a common national identity. In conclusion, the name Sri Lanka is a testament to the island's complex history and the many influences that have shaped its culture and identity. From ancient times to the present day, the island has been known by various names, each carrying its own significance and reflecting the island's multifaceted past.

The country is now known in Sinhalese as ?r-- La?k-- (Sinhalese: ????? ????) and in Tamil as Ila?kai (Tamil: ??????, IPA: [i?la?--ai]). In 1972, its formal name was changed to "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka". Later in 1978 it was changed to the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".