Asian republic occupying the island of Ceylon (3,5)

I believe the answer is:

sri lanka

(Other definitions for sri lanka that I've seen before include "Country off the southeast coast of India" , "Asian country, originally the Arabic Serendib or Serendip" , "Present name of Ceylon" , "Kandy's country" , "South Asian republic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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