Sri Lanka (from the Sanskrit ???? ???? “Venerable Island”), officially the Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before 1972 and as Taprobane in ancient times, is an
island country in South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off the southern coast
of IndiaBuddhism, Indian classical music and the Portuguese colonizers were the three biggest
influences on Sri Lanka’s music scenario. While Buddhism arrived in 300 BC, after the visit
of Gautama Buddha, the Portuguese arrived in the 15th century. The African slaves who came
along with the Portuguese added further harmony to the music of the island. As the
Portuguese brought cantiga ballads, ukuleles and guitars, the slaves brought their dance
music called baila. As seen today, the music of Sri Lanka can be categorised into the
following-Traditional folk music of Sri Lanka
Traditional folk music existed from the very beginning of its race and it under the Buddhist
environment. The ordinary people.wre the one to use this form of music.
As a result of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval
link between West Asia and South East Asia.[citation needed] It has also been a center of
the Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times as well as being a bastion of
Hinduism.The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population; Tamils, who are
concentrated in the north and east of the island, form the largest ethnic minority. Other
communities include Moors, Burghers, Kaffirs, Malays and the indigenous Vedda people.
The country is famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber and
cinnamon - which is native to the country. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical
forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a world
famous tourist destination.[citation needed] The island also boasts the first female Prime
Minister in the world,
