Official Language and Religion of Sri Lanka before Independence
Before gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948, Sri Lanka had an official language and religion that played significant roles in shaping the cultural and social fabric of the country.

Official Language:
- The official language of Sri Lanka before independence was English, due to the influence of British colonialism.
- English was used in government, administration, education, and business, and was spoken by the elite and educated classes.
- However, Sinhala and Tamil were also widely spoken by the majority Sinhalese and Tamil populations respectively.

Religion:
- The official religion of Sri Lanka before independence was Buddhism.
- Buddhism had a profound influence on the culture, traditions, and values of the country, and was practiced by the majority of the Sinhalese population.
- Hinduism was also practiced by a significant minority of the population, primarily among the Tamil community.
- Other religions such as Islam and Christianity were also present in Sri Lanka before independence, but Buddhism and Hinduism were the predominant faiths.
In conclusion, before gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka had English as its official language and Buddhism as its official religion. These aspects of language and religion played crucial roles in shaping the identity and society of the country during the colonial period.