Ceylon

Ceylon was the name of an island country off the southern coast of India, a colony of Great Britain. [[File:Script Ceylon.jpg|thumb|center|300px|"Sri Lanka" in Sinhala appeared on stamps during the dominion years, though "Ceylon" still appeared albbeit in small letters. A square style was also used on stamps.
 * Its first stamp issue was released in 1857.
 * As a British colony until 1948, it used various Empire keytype designs bearing the portraits of British rulers.
 * In February 1948 Ceylon became a dominion, notably removing the monarch's head from its stamps.
 * By 1957, the country's name was prominently displayed on stamps in Sinhala, the English name was made quite small.

In 1972, the country became a republic, formally changing its name to Sri Lanka. See:Sri Lanka.

 File:Ceylon 1d first.jpg|Early Ceylon Chalon Head stamp. 