This is a timeline of Sri Lankan history, comprising important & territorial changes and political & economic events in Sri Lanka and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of Sri Lanka.
- Note
Do not add minor event as this timeline is for "important & territorial changes and political & economic events in Sri Lanka and its predecessor states".
Pre-history
Pre 90th century BC
Year |
Date |
Events
|
300,000 - 500,000 BP
|
|
First human settlements in Sri Lanka
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Pre 6th century BC
6th century BC - 1st century AD
1st century AD - 11th century AD
11th century AD - 13th century AD
Year
|
Date
|
Event
|
1017
|
|
Chola conquest and occupation of Anuradhapura: The Cholas under Rajendra I attack and conquer Sri Lanka.
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1029
|
|
Chola conquest and occupation of Anuradhapura: Mahinda V, the last king of Anuradhapura, dies in Chola captivity.
|
1029-1041
|
|
Vikramabahu, the son of Mahinda V, launches a resistance movement against the Chola rule in Sri Lanka, but suddenly dies after contracting a disease in Rohana.
|
1049
|
|
A Sinhalese chieftain named Lokeshwara, temporarily defeats the Chola forces and establishes a military base in Ruhuna.
|
1054
|
|
Keshadhatu Kasyapa, a pretender to the Sinhalese throne, establishes a dominion in Eastern Ruhuna after driving away Chola forces, which would last until 1055.
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1055
|
|
A fifteen-year-old prince named Kitti, belonging to a royal bloodline, annexes the domains of Lokeshwara and Keshadathu Kasyapa, uniting Ruhuna under his rule. Cholas are further pushed back from the South.
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1070
|
|
Prince Kitti, who was given the title Vijayabahu, launches a seventeen-year campaign and successfully drives out the Cholas from Sri Lanka.
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1070
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|
Vijayabahu is crowned as the first king of Polonnaruwa.
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1084
|
|
Velakkara Revolt: Tamil mercenaries named Velakkaras, mutiny against king Vijayabahu as he declared war with the Chola Empire due to arresting a group of Sinhalese ambassadors sent to Western Chalukya.
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1110
|
|
Vijayabahu I dies at the age of 71, and the instalment of Jayabahu I as his successor without passing the throne to Vijayabahu's son Vikramabahu I causes a power struggle between the two rulers.
|
19th century AD
20th century AD
21st century