In 1960, Sri Lanka made history by electing whom?

Asia's first elected president of a republic

Sri Lanka Quiz: Tea Hills, Sigiriya and Wild Elephants

This Sri Lanka quiz explores the teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean, from Colombo and the rock fortress of Sigiriya to Kandy's Temple of the Tooth, Ceylon tea plantations, the Nine Arch Bridge, Adam's Peak, leopards in Yala, elephant gatherings and the world's first female prime minister. Ten questions.

Start Sri Lanka Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Names
What was Sri Lanka called until 1972?
Landmarks
Which ancient rock fortress rises about 180 meters above the jungle, with frescoes and a giant lion gate?
Religion
Kandy's Temple of the Tooth is believed to house a relic of whom?
Tea
Sri Lanka is one of the world's biggest exporters of which product?
Politics
In 1960, Sri Lanka made history by electing whom?
Railways
Which stone railway bridge in the hill country, near Ella, is one of the most photographed sights?
Mountains
Which sacred mountain has a footprint-shaped mark at its summit, revered by several religions?
Wildlife
Yala National Park is known for one of the highest densities of which big cat?
Elephants
Minneriya National Park is famous for a seasonal gathering of hundreds of what?
Food
Which bowl-shaped pancake, often with an egg cooked inside, is a Sri Lankan favorite?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What was Sri Lanka called until 1972?
Answer: Ceylon
The name Ceylon lives on in Ceylon tea. Sri Lanka means resplendent island in Sinhala.
Q2: Which ancient rock fortress rises about 180 meters above the jungle, with frescoes and a giant lion gate?
Answer: Sigiriya
King Kashyapa built his palace on top of Sigiriya in the 5th century. Only the lion's huge stone paws remain at the gate.
Q3: Kandy's Temple of the Tooth is believed to house a relic of whom?
Answer: The Buddha
The Esala Perahera festival in Kandy features elephants in glowing costumes parading through the streets.
Q4: Sri Lanka is one of the world's biggest exporters of which product?
Answer: Tea
Tea was planted in the hills after coffee crops were destroyed by disease in the 1860s. Hill towns like Nuwara Eliya are surrounded by plantations.
Q5: In 1960, Sri Lanka made history by electing whom?
Answer: The world's first female prime minister
Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first woman to be elected prime minister and went on to serve three terms in office.
Q6: Which stone railway bridge in the hill country, near Ella, is one of the most photographed sights?
Answer: The Nine Arch Bridge
The bridge was built in the early 1900s without steel. The train ride from Kandy to Ella is famous for its views.
Q7: Which sacred mountain has a footprint-shaped mark at its summit, revered by several religions?
Answer: Adam's Peak
Pilgrims climb thousands of steps at night to watch the sunrise from the summit, called Sri Pada.
Q8: Yala National Park is known for one of the highest densities of which big cat?
Answer: Leopards
Sri Lankan leopards are the island's top predators. Yala is also home to elephants, sloth bears and crocodiles.
Q9: Minneriya National Park is famous for a seasonal gathering of hundreds of what?
Answer: Asian elephants
During the dry season, elephants gather around the Minneriya reservoir, an event known as The Gathering.
Q10: Which bowl-shaped pancake, often with an egg cooked inside, is a Sri Lankan favorite?
Answer: Hopper
Hoppers, or appa, are made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They are often eaten with spicy sambol.

Sri Lanka Quiz – The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka is an island nation off the southern tip of India, often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Though it is relatively small, it packs in golden beaches, misty tea-covered hills, ancient cities, rainforests and national parks full of wildlife. Its history stretches back more than 2,500 years, with Buddhist kingdoms that built great temples and reservoirs.

Ancient capitals such as Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, with huge stupas and stone statues, are part of the Cultural Triangle, along with the rock fortress of Sigiriya and the cave temples of Dambulla. Kandy, the last royal capital, is home to the Temple of the Tooth, one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism, and its colorful Esala Perahera festival.

Sri Lanka was ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British, who called it Ceylon and planted tea in the central highlands. The island became independent in 1948 and took the name Sri Lanka in 1972. In 1960, Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first elected female prime minister. Ceylon tea is now one of the country's most famous exports.

Visitors enjoy the scenic train ride through tea country to Ella, safari parks such as Yala, where leopards roam, and Minneriya, famous for gatherings of elephants. The south coast offers surfing, whale watching and the Dutch-built Galle Fort. Sri Lankan food is spicy and full of coconut, from rice and curry to hoppers and kottu roti.

This quiz covers the history, nature, culture and food of Sri Lanka.

Festivals bring color to the island throughout the year. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April is celebrated with games, sweets and visits to family. Vesak, marking the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, fills towns with lanterns and free food stalls. Hindu temples hold vibrant chariot festivals, and Christmas is also widely celebrated, reflecting the island's diverse communities.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for travelers, tea lovers and wildlife fans.

Sri Lanka's former name
Ancient sites like Sigiriya
The Temple of the Tooth and Buddhist heritage
How tea shaped the island
Famous wildlife and national parks
Sri Lankan food and history

Quick Facts About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's currency is the Sri Lankan rupee.
Colombo is the commercial capital; Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the official capital.
The island is a major source of sapphires and other gems.
Blue whales can be seen off the south coast near Mirissa.
Cricket is the country's most popular sport.
Cinnamon originally comes from Sri Lanka.