Pronunciation: ( ˌ )sr ē - ' lä ŋ -k ə , ( ˌ )shr ē -, - ' la ŋ -
Variant: or formerly Cey · lon \ si- ' län, s ā - \
Function: geographical name
country coextensive with island of Ceylon; an independent republic in the Commonwealth of Nations capital Colombo area 25,332 sq mi (65,863 sq km ), pop 17,829,500
– Sri Lan · kan \ - ' lä ŋ -k ə n, - ' la ŋ - \ adjective or noun