Rolls-Royce in Ceylon

The tropical island of Ceylon, renamed Sri Lanka in 1972, has been romantically known as the Pearl in the Indian Ocean and the Emerald Isle, due to its location and the island's lush, green landscapes, particularly its rice paddies and extensive tea plantations.

- John Stuttard and Roger Thiedeman

For more than a century it was a Portuguese colony, then Dutch and in 1802 it became part of the British Empire.

Tea was introduced in the middle of the 19th century and grew to being a key agricultural industry. Lipton's and Brooke Bond were well-known brands in Ceylonese kitchens. In the other direction came goods manufactured in Great Britain. The names of Austin, Humber, Morris, Wolseley and even Rolls-Royce were represented amongst cars available for purchase.