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Total Categories: 8
The name 'Sarandib', used by Arabs and Persians for Sri Lanka, is the origin of the English word 'serendipity'.
Answer: True
The English word 'serendipity' is indeed derived from 'Sarandib', the historical Persian and Arabic name for Sri Lanka.
Archaeological evidence suggests human settlements in Sri Lanka dating back only a few thousand years.
Answer: False
Archaeological findings indicate human settlements in Sri Lanka dating back as far as 125,000 years, with some estimates extending to 500,000 years.
Prince Vijaya is traditionally credited with arriving in Sri Lanka in the 6th century BCE and establishing the Kingdom of Tambapanni.
Answer: True
According to tradition, Prince Vijaya arrived in Sri Lanka in 543 BCE, establishing the Kingdom of Tambapanni and initiating the Sinhalese lineage.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 1st century CE by traders from Southeast Asia.
Answer: False
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by Mahinda Maurya, son of Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa.
Sri Lanka faced significant invasions from North African dynasties during its ancient history.
Answer: False
Ancient Sri Lanka faced invasions primarily from South Indian dynasties, such as the Chola, Pandya, and Pallava, rather than North African dynasties.
The Chola conquest in the 10th-11th centuries CE led to the relocation of Sri Lanka's capital from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa.
Answer: True
The Chola conquest of Anuradhapura in the 10th-11th centuries CE led to the fall of the ancient capital and the subsequent establishment of Polonnaruwa as the new capital.
Parakramabahu I, ruling in the 12th century, focused primarily on religious reforms and temple construction.
Answer: False
Parakramabahu I's reign (1153-1186) was characterized by extensive irrigation projects, military campaigns, and infrastructure development, in addition to religious patronage.
Kalinga Magha's invasion in 1215 caused a migration of Sinhalese people southward and westward and led to the establishment of the Jaffna kingdom.
Answer: True
Kalinga Magha's invasion in 1215 led to the destruction of Polonnaruwa, prompting Sinhalese migration and the eventual rise of the Jaffna kingdom in the north.
Which historical name for Sri Lanka is the origin of the English word 'serendipity'?
Answer: Sarandib
The English word 'serendipity' originates from 'Sarandib', the historical Persian and Arabic name for Sri Lanka.
According to the Mahavamsa, why was the island named 'Tambapanni'?
Answer: Both B and C are suggested by the meaning 'copper-red hands' or 'copper-red earth'.
The Mahavamsa states that the island was named Tambapanni, meaning 'copper-red hands' or 'copper-red earth', due to the color of the soil or the hands of Prince Vijaya's followers upon landing.
Who is traditionally considered the first monarch of Sri Lanka, arriving in 543 BCE?
Answer: Prince Vijaya
Prince Vijaya is traditionally credited as the first monarch of Sri Lanka, arriving in 543 BCE.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by whom?
Answer: Mahinda Maurya
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE by Mahinda Maurya, the son of Emperor Ashoka.
Which South Indian dynasty conquered Anuradhapura in the 10th-11th centuries CE?
Answer: Chola
The Chola dynasty conquered Anuradhapura in the 10th-11th centuries CE, leading to the relocation of the capital.
Which historical name for Sri Lanka is derived from the Sanskrit term 'Simhaladvipa'?
Answer: Sarandib
The name 'Sarandib', used by Arabs and Persians, is derived from the Sanskrit term 'Simhaladvipa', which also relates to the origin of 'Ceylon'.
Sri Lanka achieved independence from colonial rule in 1948, and was known as Sri Lanka at that time.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka gained independence on February 4, 1948, but was known as the Dominion of Ceylon at that time.
The Portuguese were the last European power to colonize Sri Lanka before its independence.
Answer: False
The British were the last European power to colonize Sri Lanka, establishing control in 1815 after defeating the Dutch, who had previously ousted the Portuguese.
The Colebrooke-Cameron reforms of 1833 unified the administration of Sri Lanka's provinces and established executive and legislative councils.
Answer: True
The Colebrooke-Cameron reforms of 1833 amalgamated the Kandyan and maritime provinces into a single administrative unit and established executive and legislative councils.
Tea replaced coffee as Sri Lanka's primary export after a devastating disease wiped out the coffee industry.
Answer: True
A devastating leaf disease decimated Sri Lanka's coffee plantations in the late 19th century, leading to a significant shift towards tea cultivation as the primary export commodity.
Universal adult franchise was introduced in Sri Lanka in 1931, significantly expanding voting rights.
Answer: True
The Donoughmore reforms of 1931 introduced universal adult franchise in Sri Lanka, dramatically expanding suffrage.
When did Sri Lanka gain independence, and what was its name at that time?
Answer: February 4, 1948, as Dominion of Ceylon
Sri Lanka gained independence on February 4, 1948, and was known as the Dominion of Ceylon at that time.
Which European power was the first to establish control over parts of Sri Lanka starting in the 16th century?
Answer: Portuguese
The Portuguese were the first European power to establish colonial control over parts of Sri Lanka, beginning in the 16th century.
What significant administrative change occurred in Sri Lanka due to the Colebrooke-Cameron reforms of 1833?
Answer: The Kandyan and maritime provinces were amalgamated into one government unit.
The Colebrooke-Cameron reforms of 1833 unified the Kandyan and maritime provinces into a single administrative entity and established executive and legislative councils.
The Sri Lankan Civil War lasted for nearly three decades and ended with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009.
Answer: True
The Sri Lankan Civil War spanned 26 years, from 1983 to 2009, concluding with the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The "Sinhala Only Act" of 1956 recognized both Sinhala and Tamil as the sole official languages, aiming to promote bilingualism.
Answer: False
The "Sinhala Only Act" of 1956 declared Sinhala as the sole official language, which caused significant concern among the Tamil population.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first elected female head of government in 1960.
Answer: True
Sirimavo Bandaranaike assumed the office of Prime Minister in 1960, marking her as the world's first elected female head of government.
University standardization policies in the 1970s increased Tamil student enrollment, easing ethnic tensions.
Answer: False
University standardization policies implemented in the 1970s are cited as a factor that reduced Tamil student representation and contributed to increased ethnic tensions.
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 aimed to neutralize the LTTE and involved the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).
Answer: True
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 was intended to resolve the ethnic conflict and led to the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to disarm the LTTE.
How long did the Sri Lankan Civil War last?
Answer: 26 years
The Sri Lankan Civil War lasted for 26 years, from 1983 to 2009.
The "Sinhala Only Act" passed in 1956 had what primary effect?
Answer: Made Sinhala the sole official language of government.
The "Sinhala Only Act" of 1956 declared Sinhala as the sole official language of the government.
Who holds the distinction of being the world's first elected female head of government, taking office in 1960?
Answer: Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first elected female head of government when she took office as Prime Minister in 1960.
What policy implemented in the 1970s is cited as a factor contributing to the rise of Tamil militancy?
Answer: The policy of university standardization
The policy of university standardization implemented in the 1970s is considered a catalyst for the rise of Tamil militancy by reducing Tamil student representation in higher education.
What event in 1983 significantly escalated the Sri Lankan Civil War?
Answer: An LTTE attack on soldiers, followed by anti-Tamil riots
An LTTE attack on 13 soldiers in July 1983 triggered widespread anti-Tamil riots, significantly escalating the Sri Lankan Civil War.
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed in 1987 primarily to address what issue?
Answer: Resolving the ethnic conflict
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 was primarily aimed at resolving the protracted ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North America.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka is an island country situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, off the southeastern coast of India.
Pidurutalagala is the highest point in Sri Lanka, standing at 2,524 meters.
Answer: True
Pidurutalagala is indeed the highest point in Sri Lanka, with an elevation of 2,524 meters (8,281 feet).
The Mahaweli River is the shortest river in Sri Lanka, measuring only 100 kilometers.
Answer: False
The Mahaweli River is the longest river in Sri Lanka, measuring approximately 335 kilometers (208 miles).
Sri Lanka's coastline measures approximately 985 miles, and its exclusive economic zone is significantly larger than its land area.
Answer: True
Sri Lanka's coastline is approximately 985 miles (1,585 km) long, and its exclusive economic zone is about 6.7 times larger than its land area.
Sri Lanka contains only two distinct terrestrial ecoregions: dry-zone forests and montane forests.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka contains four distinct terrestrial ecoregions: Sri Lanka lowland rain forests, Sri Lanka montane rain forests, Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests, and Deccan thorn scrub forests.
Sri Lanka experiences a temperate climate with cold winters due to its high altitude.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate, characterized by warm temperatures year-round, moderated by ocean winds, rather than a temperate climate with cold winters.
The "wet zone" of Sri Lanka receives significantly less rainfall annually than the "dry zone".
Answer: False
The "wet zone" and windward slopes of the central highlands receive considerably more rainfall (up to 2,500 mm annually) than the "dry zone" areas.
Sri Lanka is recognized for its high biodiversity, with a notable percentage of endemic flowering plants and mammals.
Answer: True
Sri Lanka possesses high biodiversity relative to its size, with significant proportions of endemic flowering plants (27%) and mammals (22%).
Minneriya National Park is primarily known for its large population of leopards.
Answer: False
Minneriya National Park is renowned for "The Gathering," a massive annual congregation of elephants, rather than leopards.
What is the highest point in Sri Lanka?
Answer: Pidurutalagala
Pidurutalagala is the highest point in Sri Lanka, reaching an elevation of 2,524 meters.
What is the approximate length of the Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka's longest river?
Answer: 208 miles (335 km)
The Mahaweli River, Sri Lanka's longest, measures approximately 335 kilometers (208 miles).
Sri Lanka is located in which major geographical region?
Answer: South Asia
Sri Lanka is an island country located in South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four terrestrial ecoregions mentioned for Sri Lanka?
Answer: Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests
The four terrestrial ecoregions of Sri Lanka are Sri Lanka lowland rain forests, Sri Lanka montane rain forests, Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests, and Deccan thorn scrub forests. Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests are not among them.
What percentage of Sri Lanka's flowering plants are endemic?
Answer: Approximately 27%
Approximately 27% of Sri Lanka's flowering plants are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.
Minneriya National Park is famous for which natural phenomenon?
Answer: The annual congregation of elephants
Minneriya National Park is renowned for "The Gathering," a massive annual congregation of elephants.
Colombo is designated as the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, while Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte handles executive and judicial functions.
Answer: False
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte serves as the legislative capital, whereas Colombo functions as the executive and judicial capital.
Sri Lanka operates under a federal system of government, reflecting its diverse ethnic makeup.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka is a democratic republic with a unitary state, not a federal system.
The constitution mandates the state to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, granting Buddhism a special status.
Answer: True
Sri Lanka's constitution designates Buddhism as the foremost religion and obligates the state to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.
Which city serves as Sri Lanka's legislative capital?
Answer: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is designated as the legislative capital of Sri Lanka.
The constitution grants Buddhism the 'foremost place' and mandates the state to protect and foster what?
Answer: The Buddha Sasana
The constitution mandates the state to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, recognizing Buddhism's foremost place.
The official designation of the nation is 'Sri Lanka', and it has historically been known exclusively by this name.
Answer: False
The nation's official name is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and it was historically known as Ceylon prior to 1972.
Sinhala is the sole official language of Sri Lanka, with Tamil having a recognized regional status.
Answer: False
Both Sinhala and Tamil are official languages of Sri Lanka, with English designated as the link language.
The Sinhalese ethnic group represents the majority population in Sri Lanka, making up approximately 75% of the total.
Answer: True
The Sinhalese people constitute the majority population in Sri Lanka, comprising approximately 74.8% of the total population.
Christianity is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, with the constitution protecting its status.
Answer: False
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, practiced by about 70% of the population. The constitution grants Buddhism a special status.
Sri Lanka's universal healthcare system contributes to high life expectancy and low infant mortality rates.
Answer: True
Sri Lanka's universal healthcare system is credited with achieving high life expectancy (75.5 years) and low infant and maternal mortality rates, comparable to developed nations.
Sri Lanka has a literacy rate below 80%, placing it among the lower-ranking developing nations.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka boasts a high literacy rate of 92.9%, with a youth literacy rate of 98.8%, positioning it among the most literate populations globally.
The free education system in Sri Lanka, established in 1945, only covers primary and secondary levels.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka's free education system, established in 1945, provides universal access from primary through tertiary levels.
Amnesty International has praised Sri Lanka for its excellent record on freedom of the press.
Answer: False
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns regarding freedom of the press and other human rights issues in Sri Lanka.
Volleyball is the national sport of Sri Lanka, although cricket is more popular.
Answer: True
Volleyball is officially recognized as the national sport of Sri Lanka, while cricket enjoys the highest popularity among the populace.
The Sri Lankan cricket team won the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014.
Answer: True
The Sri Lankan national cricket team achieved significant international success, winning the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014.
Sri Lanka's population is approximately 22.1 million, with a negative annual growth rate.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka's population is approximately 22.1 million, with a positive annual growth rate of about 0.5%.
What is the official name of Sri Lanka?
Answer: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
The official name of the country is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Besides Sinhala, what is the other official language of Sri Lanka?
Answer: Tamil
Tamil is the second official language of Sri Lanka, alongside Sinhala.
What percentage of Sri Lanka's population is estimated to be Sinhalese?
Answer: Approximately 75%
The Sinhalese ethnic group constitutes approximately 74.8% of Sri Lanka's population.
What is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, practiced by about 70% of the population?
Answer: Buddhism
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, adhered to by approximately 70% of the population.
What is Sri Lanka's literacy rate?
Answer: 92.9%
Sri Lanka has a national literacy rate of 92.9%.
Who were key figures in the establishment of Sri Lanka's free education system in 1945?
Answer: C. W. W. Kannangara and A. Ratnayake
C. W. W. Kannangara and A. Ratnayake were instrumental figures in the establishment of Sri Lanka's free education system in 1945.
While volleyball is the national sport, what is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka?
Answer: Cricket
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, despite volleyball being the national sport.
What major international cricket tournaments has the Sri Lanka national team won since the 1990s?
Answer: The 1996 Cricket World Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20
The Sri Lankan national cricket team won the 1996 Cricket World Cup and the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
What is the approximate annual population growth rate of Sri Lanka?
Answer: 0.5%
Sri Lanka's annual population growth rate is approximately 0.5%.
What role does English play in Sri Lanka according to the source?
Answer: It is designated as the link language for broader communication.
English is designated as the link language in Sri Lanka and is widely used for education, scientific, and commercial purposes.
What is the life expectancy at birth for Sri Lankans, as mentioned in the source?
Answer: 75.5 years
The life expectancy at birth for Sri Lankans is approximately 75.5 years.
Sri Lanka has the lowest human development ranking in South Asia.
Answer: False
Sri Lanka ranks among the highest in South Asia for human development and has the second-highest per capita income in the region.
As of 2020, the agriculture sector was the largest contributor to Sri Lanka's economy.
Answer: False
As of 2020, the service sector was the largest contributor to Sri Lanka's economy (59.7%), followed by the industrial sector (26.2%), with agriculture contributing 8.4%.
Sri Lanka defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in 2016.
Answer: False
While Sri Lanka faced significant debt challenges leading to a default, the first instance of defaulting on its sovereign debt occurred in April 2022, not 2016.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on Sri Lanka's tourism industry, increasing revenue.
Answer: False
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Sri Lanka's tourism industry, a vital source of foreign currency, leading to a substantial decline in revenue.
As of 2020, which sector constituted the largest part of Sri Lanka's economy?
Answer: Service Sector
As of 2020, the service sector was the largest contributor to Sri Lanka's economy, accounting for 59.7% of GDP.
Sri Lanka's severe economic crisis beginning in 2019 was primarily caused by a sudden drop in global tea prices.
Answer: False
While global economic factors played a role, the crisis was primarily attributed to increasing foreign debt, large budget deficits, and policy decisions such as the ban on inorganic fertilizers.
Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President in July 2022 after a period of political and economic instability.
Answer: True
Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President in July 2022 amidst significant political and economic turmoil following widespread protests.
The nationwide ban on inorganic fertilizers imposed in June 2021 was predicted by critics to potentially cause an agricultural collapse.
Answer: True
Critics warned that the nationwide ban on inorganic fertilizers in June 2021 could lead to an agricultural collapse and significantly reduced harvests.
Which of the following was NOT listed as a primary factor contributing to Sri Lanka's economic crisis starting in 2019?
Answer: A sharp decline in global tea prices
While global economic factors are relevant, a sharp decline in global tea prices was not cited as a primary cause of the 2019 economic crisis; rather, factors like debt, deficits, and policy decisions were highlighted.
What was the predicted consequence of Sri Lanka's 2021 ban on inorganic fertilizers, according to critics?
Answer: A potential agricultural collapse and reduced harvests
Critics predicted that the 2021 ban on inorganic fertilizers could lead to an agricultural collapse and significantly reduced harvests.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for Sri Lanka's economic crisis?
Answer: A sudden increase in global oil prices
While global factors are complex, a sudden increase in global oil prices was not explicitly listed as a primary cause of Sri Lanka's economic crisis; rather, factors like debt, deficits, and policy decisions were highlighted.