Ceylon was to became a major base for British forces according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 10 January 1942

An item reported that considerable reinforcements were moved from India to Ceylon and on short notice was extra anti aircraft and anti submarine equipment to arrive at Ceylon. The J.I.C. commented that England apparently were Ceylon to use as a major base.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 10 January 1942 No. 31