Sri Lanka was previously named Ceylon.
For historical clarity:
- The name Lanka is traditionally linked to the island, particularly in epics like the Ramayana, but it was never an official former name.
- Ceylon served as the name during Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial rule, from the 16th century up to 1972, when the nation officially transitioned to the Republic of Sri Lanka.
- Gold Coast was the colonial designation for present-day Ghana in Africa and has no connection to Sri Lanka.
- Siam is the former name of Thailand and is entirely unrelated to Sri Lanka.
Consequently, the correct identification is that modern Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon.