Portuguese–Sri Lankan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Portugal and Sri Lanka. While the two countries do not have embassies in each other's respective capitals, Portugal has an honorary consulate in Colombo. The countries share a long historical relationship.
The Portuguese first arrived in Sri Lanka during the late 15th and early 16th century. The Sri Lankan Sinhalese of the Kingdom of Kotte would soon clash with the Portuguese, in which the Sri Lankans were defeated and incorporated into Portuguese territory. Later, the Sinhalese defeated the Portuguese in many battles and freed the central regions from Portuguese influence. The Portuguese only maintained control of the coastal regions and were convincingly defeated in more central kingdoms like Kandy and Seethawaka.[1] The Portuguese rule- despite only lasting for a century- left an influential legacy in the country, such as the Portuguese naming of Sri Lankans, and the spread of The Catholic Church in the country.[2] Many modern Sri Lankan names can be traced from the Portuguese, and Catholics formed at least 7 to 10% of Sri Lankan population.[3]
Modern relations
Due to their long and historical ties, Sri Lanka and Portugal established relations following the British departure from Ceylon.