Sri Lanka - formerly known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka is a multinational state, home to diverse cultures, languages, and ethnicities. Sri Lanka's documented history spans 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements dating back at least 125,000 years. The huge impact of the December 2004 tsunami was still very visible and palpable when we were there. Many roads not repaired properly yet, making it a slow and uncomfortable journey across the island in our rented sedan - with driver.