Colonial Ceylon refers to the period when the island of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, was under European colonial rule. The Portuguese were the first to arrive in the early 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. Finally, the British took control in 1815, establishing a colonial administration that lasted until independence in 1948. During British rule, Ceylon became a significant producer of tea, rubber, and coconut, which transformed its economy. The colonial period also saw the introduction of infrastructure, such as railways and schools, which had lasting impacts on the island's development.