Trade wars... & History

The Colonization of Sri Lanka began with the Portuguese in 1505. It ended in 1948 after the British gave Independence to Sri Lanka. Only the coastal areas of Sri Lanka were colonized until the British conquered the whole island in 1815. Until then the island interiors were under the reign of the Sinhala & Tamil kings.

Not only according to folk stories but even according to confirmed historical texts and events Sri Lanka’s political, social, economic, and cultural heritage has a tight bond with neighboring India. This close bond with India is very clear if you take into account the events that took place prior to the 16th century. India’s influence although very strong in religious, cultural & social activities the people of Sri Lanka had always maintained a unique identity in enjoying the islander's mentality, where collecting wealth and goods and storing them for a rainy day was not in their genes or not the norm. Life was lived with good morals and a supportive nature looking after one another. The only time the people have retaliated was when political instability or foreign invasions took place, but still, most of the community remained undeterred by these situations and lived carefree in their villages and settlements.

Europeans had dealings with Asia even during the 4th century BC when King Alexander the great was in power, however after the 6th century AD many of the groups that attacked and invaded the Roman Empire were Germanic tribes from Northern Europe. Goths - One of the most powerful and organized groups of barbarians. The Goths were divided into two major branches: the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, Europe went into a dark and quiet patch.

Come the 15th century the Portuguese, Dutch, French & English had set their interest on Asia once again for Trade profits, religion, and political mileage. The main aim of these European traders was to disrupt and gain control of the trade monopoly the Muslims had over these regions in the 13th & 14th centuries. There were three main trade routes during this time connecting the east and the west, the “Silk Route” mainly from the Far East (China) to Constantinople and the other two were “Spices Routes” from India to Constantinople via Alexandria, Damascus, Anatolia, and the other route via Muscat, Basrah, Baghdad, and Levant.

A countless number of trade wars have happened in the past and will happen in the future and Sri Lanka is lucky to be strategically located as a trade hub but hope all this will not interfere with its people who have enjoyed a carefree life with great morals, values, and principles since recorded history.