The
Sri Lankan independence movement was a peaceful political movement which aimed at achieving independence and self-rule for Sri Lanka, (then
Ceylon) from the
British Empire. It was initiated around the turn of the 20th century and led mostly by the educated middle class. It succeeded when, on February 4, 1948, Ceylon was granted independence as the
Dominion of Ceylon.
Dominion status within the British Commonwealth was retained for the next 24 years until May 22, 1972 when it became a
republic and was renamed the
Republic of Sri Lanka.