By J. K. Janith Prabashwara Perera
University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Introduction
With Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) under British rule
for 133 years, the ties between Sri Lanka and United Kingdom extend across
colonial history, trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange. From its past as a
British colony to its present as a sovereign state, Sri Lanka maintains a
complex yet dynamic relationship with United Kingdom—marked by strong bilateral
cooperation and a trilateral connection through the Commonwealth of Nations.
This article provides an overview of these relationships, offering insights to
further strengthen the foreign policies of both nations for mutual growth and
collaboration.
Pre-Colonial Era
In Pliny, the Elder's Naturalis Historia,
Sri Lanka (then referred to as Taprobane) is described as an exotic and wealthy
island renowned for its pearls, gems, and spices, which were highly prized in
the Roman Empire. This led to the establishment of trade connections between
the two regions. Pliny also mentions an embassy from Sri Lanka to Roman Emperor
Claudius (41–54 CE), highlighting the early diplomatic and trade relations
between them (Murphy, 2004). It is noteworthy that, during this period, Britain
was part of the Roman Empire, known as Roman Britain.
Colonial Era (1796–1948)
The coastal areas of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) came
under British control in 1796, when the Dutch ceded power during the Napoleonic
Wars (Sivasundaram, 2007).
This presented an opportune moment for the British Empire to extend its
dominance, especially considering the island’s strategic maritime position and
the wealth of precious stones and spices it possessed. However, it was not
until 1815, following the signing of the Kandyan Convention, that the British
gained control over the entire island (Amarasinghe and Rajhans, 2020). With this consolidation of power,
Ceylon officially became a British colony. During this period, the British
introduced plantation agriculture, infrastructure development, educational
reforms, and an administrative and judicial system—many of which have left a
lasting legacy on the country today.
The introduction of plantation crops such as tea,
rubber, and coffee, which became vital to Sri Lanka's export economy, was one
of the most significant legacies of British rule. Tea and rubber remain two of
Sri Lanka’s primary exports, providing essential foreign income. In 2022, the
United Kingdom was Sri Lanka’s second-largest export partner, accounting for
7.44% of the total export share (World Integrated Trade Solution, 2025). In
terms of infrastructure, the railway system, established during British rule,
remains one of the main forms of public transportation. Despite ongoing
modernisation efforts, much of the original infrastructure is still in use and
maintained.
The administrative and democratic reforms
implemented by the British also left a lasting impact. Although local
representation was limited, the establishment of the Legislative Council in
1833 marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s move toward democratic
governance (Jayasinghe and
Welikala, 2013). However, communal
representation in the Legislative Council has been criticised for deepening
ethnic divisions, which later contributed to the rise of Tamil nationalism and
ultimately plunged the country into nearly three decades of ethnic conflict
(Soherwordi, 2010). In
1931, the Donoughmore Reforms introduced universal suffrage, paving the way for
a more representative government. These changes eventually led to the Soulbury
Constitution in 1947, which set the stage for Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948.
However, Sri Lanka remained a dominion until 1972, with the British Queen as
the head of state (Abeyratne,
2019). The parliamentary system, based on the British Westminster model,
remained in effect until 1978, when an Executive Presidential system was
introduced through the second Republican constitution. Today, Sri Lanka operates under a
semi-presidential hybrid presidential-parliamentary system, with the Prime
Minister also playing a significant role in
governance.
The judicial and education systems in Sri Lanka
are also deeply influenced by British practices. English Common Law, based on
legal precedents and judicial decisions, which was adopted during the colonial
era, continues to govern Sri Lanka's legal framework (University
of Minnesota, 2018). Similarly, Sri Lanka’s education system has
been heavily influenced by British models, with remnants of its colonial legacy
still evident. For example, the university system follows the British higher
education structure (Jayasuriya,
2001), while gender-segregated schools—established during British
rule—continue to function today, reflecting the enduring impact of coloniality
(Albrecht, 2024).
Post Independence (After 1948)
On 4 February 1948, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon)
became a self-governing independent state with a Westminster-style
parliamentary system (Abeyratne,2019).
D. S. Senanayake, the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon, also assumed
the roles of Minister of External Affairs and Defence, maintaining close ties
with the United Kingdom. In 1949, Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake signed the
London Declaration, officially making Ceylon a founding member of the
Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of independent states that
preserved Ceylon’s sovereignty while maintaining strong diplomatic and
historical connections with Britain. However, the British monarch remained the
Head of State, British military forces continued to operate in Ceylon for few
years even after independence, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
in the UK remained the highest court of appeal. As a result, Ceylon functioned
as a Dominion until 22 May 1972, when it became a republic and was renamed the
Republic of Sri Lanka (Abeyratne, 2019).
In the decades following independence, Sri Lanka
and the UK maintained strong relations centered around trade, education, and
governance. Many Sri Lankan political leaders travelled to the United Kingdom
for education and exposure to new ideas. At the time of independence, Sri Lanka
was an open economy, with a tariff-based preference to products of the British
Empire, before efforts to diversify trade with the rest of the world was
focused (Jayawardena, 2018). The UK continued to be a major export market for
Sri Lankan products, including tea, rubber, textiles, and coconut products. In
the 1970s, when Sri Lanka attempted trade liberalisation and more open economic
policies, the UK remained a key trade partner. Records from the UK Parliament
(2000) confirm that since 1964 Sri Lanka has received formal development
assistance through British government aid agencies. These aid and technical
assistance have been invested in the development of public administration,
healthcare, agriculture, and community development projects. Relations between
the two countries took a significant turn during the years of the civil war and
its immediate aftermath.
Civil War and Post-War Diplomatic Challenges
Relations between Sri Lanka and the UK became
strained during Sri Lanka’s civil war (1983-2009) due to the UK’s concerns over
human rights violations by both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The UK also became home to a significant Tamil
diaspora, many of whom voiced concerns over the human rights abuses in Sri
Lanka (Vimalarajah and Cheran,
2010).
During the civil war and its
aftermath, the UK provided humanitarian aid to displaced Tamil populations and
civilian victims. British humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam GB, Save
the Children UK, and the British Red Cross, played key roles in relief efforts
despite significant access challenges (Goodhand, 1999; Harris and Lewer, 2002;
Save the Children, 2024; Tran and Chamberlain, 2009). Additionally, the UK
supported international peace efforts, particularly during the failed peace
talks and the Ceasefire Agreement in 2002 (UK Parliament, 2002).
Although the UK became home to a large Tamil
diaspora, the LTTE’s violent campaign for Tamil Eelam, employing tactics of
terrorism, led the UK to designate the LTTE as a terrorist organization in
2001. Additionally, due to LTTE supporters in the UK engaging in fundraising
and lobbying efforts, the UK viewed the LTTE as a threat to national security
and banned it under the Terrorism Act 2000 (Curtis
and Robinson, 2024). After the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009, the
UK advocated for justice and accountability, calling for an independent
investigation into war crimes allegations (Mason, 2013). This created
diplomatic tensions between the two countries, but the UK remained a key
partner in Sri Lanka’s post-war reconstruction and reconciliation efforts,
providing financial and technical aid for peacebuilding, human rights, and
governance projects.
Contemporary Ties
In recent years, marked by Brexit, the Covid-19
pandemic, and political and economic instability in Sri Lanka, trade,
development, and political relations between the two countries have
demonstrated both cooperation and diplomatic concerns. The Department for
Business and Trade (DBT) provides free international export sales leads to UK
Businesses to facilitate trade between the two countries (UK Government, 2025a).
While the policies of former
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa (2019-2022) were met with mixed reactions in the
UK, particularly regarding concerns over freedom of speech, press freedom, and
minority rights, the UK's assistance for economic reforms and humanitarian aid
played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations (Walker and Curtis,
2022). However, in 2023, British Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie
Trevelyan visited Sri Lanka to further solidify ties, focusing on areas such as
climate change, security, and human rights. During her visit, she travelled to
both Colombo and Jaffna, where she met with then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe
and other key government figures (Daily FT, 2023).
More recently, in January 2025, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine
West visited Sri Lanka with a focus on boosting exports and economic growth,
meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka
(UK Government, 2025b). This signifies strong and continued diplomatic ties
between the two countries.
Development assistance from the UK
has played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's post-war recovery, as well as during
the pandemic and the subsequent economic recovery phases. In particular, the UK
provided lifesaving aid to Sri Lanka's most vulnerable populations, further
strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations (UK Government, 2022).
Today, Sri Lanka and the UK continue to engage in
trade, investment, education, and sustainable development. The UK remains a top
destination for Sri Lankan migrants, and British influence is still evident in
almost every sector in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the two nations collaborate in
areas such as climate change, security, and tourism.
Conclusion
From the colonial era to the present day, the two
nations have maintained strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Sri
Lanka’s trade with the UK, particularly in commodities like tea, rubber, and
textiles, has remained a cornerstone of this relationship, while the UK
continues to show interest in Sri Lanka's development, economic growth, and
political stability. In conclusion, despite challenges, such as differing
perspectives during Sri Lanka’s civil war, the diplomatic ties between the two
nations have remained resilient. As Sri Lanka navigates its post-war
reconstruction, development, and economic recovery, the partnership with the UK
remains a vital pillar of progress, fostering growth, stability, and shared
prosperity.
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