The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka was founded in 1845 as the Asiatic Society of Ceylon. It immediately applied for incorporation which was accorded in January 1846, thus becoming the Royal Asiatic Society of Ceylon. It has published its Journal since 1846. In 1977 it was renamed the Royal Asiatic Society (Sri Lanka Branch), becoming the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka in 1986.
The Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch applied to be an Associate Society in 1900 and this was approved in January 1901. As such, it is the oldest organization in Korea designed to introduce people to Korea in all its many aspects. Its early history was somewhat disrupted due to political difficulties but it has been continuously active since 1956. It remains an active international cultural and social organization in Korea.
The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland was founded by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sir Henry Thomas Colebrooke on the 15th March 1823. It received its Royal Charter from King George IV on the 11th August 1824 'for the investigation of subjects connected with and for the encouragement of science, literature and the arts in relation to Asia'. It continues as a forum for those who are interested in the languages, cultures and history of Asia to meet and exchange ideas.