Sinhalese people (Sinhala: සිංහල ජනතාව, romanized: Sinhala Janathāva), are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group of the island of Sri Lanka. They constitute about 75% of the Sri Lankan population and number greater than 16.2 million. The Sinhalese identity is based on language, cultural heritage and nationality.

What is a Sri Lankan person called?

Sinhalese, also spelled Singhalese or Cingalese, member of a people of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) who constitute the largest ethnic group of that island.

Why is Sri Lanka called Ceylon?

Ceylon. From the word Arab word “saheelan” came the many variations of Ceylon. The name was later formalized as Ceylon when the island became a British colony. Ceylon is the name that was used to name the famous tea and many other products exported from the island.

What was Ceylon called before?

Sri Lanka Ceilão, the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese Empire when it arrived in 1505, was transliterated into English as Ceylon. As a British crown colony, the island was known as Ceylon; it achieved independence as the Dominion of Ceylon in 1948.

What is father Sri Lanka?

Thatha or Thaththi means father in sinhalese, although its not limited to the two, in some regions of Sri Lanka, Apachchi is the word most use to call father.