High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! After the outbreak of the Second World War, in the British Crown Colony of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the government of Sir Baron Jayatilleke assured the British king and his majesty's government of its continued support. The British had occupied the coastal areas of the island since 1796, but after 1917 the colony had no regular garrison of British troops. The Ceylon Defence Force and Ceylon Navy Volunteer Reserve were mobilized and expanded. The Royal Navy maintained naval installations in Trincomalee and the Royal Air Force (RAF) had established an aerodrome in China Bay, Trincomalee long before the war. After the fall of Singapore the Royal Navy's East Indies Station was moved to Colombo and then to Trincomalee. Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Ceylon with Air Vice Marshal John D'Albaic Air Officer Commanding and Admiral Sir Sir James Somerville appointed commander of the British Eastern Fleet.