Sri Lanka Country Profile
Official Name
| Conventional long form | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Conventional short form | Sri Lanka |
| Former name | Ceylon |
Geography
| Latitude | 5.55 to 9.50 N |
| Longitude | 79.42 to 81.52 E |
| Size | 25,332 sq. miles (65,606 sq. Km) |
| Inland water area | 870 sq. Km |
| Coastal length | 1,700 Km |
| Maximum length | 432 Km |
| Maximum breath | 224 Km |
| Time difference | GMT + 5.5 hrs. |
| Highest waterfall | Bambarakanda, 241 meters |
| Highest peak | Pidurutalagala, 2518 meters |
| Longest river | Mahaweli, 335 meters |
Cities
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenapura |
| Commercial Capital | Colombo |
| Other large cities | Kandy, Galle, Jaffna |
| Ports | Colombo, Hambantota, Trincomalee |
| Inetrnational Airport | Katunayake (20 miles from Colombo) |
Climate
Tropical with average annual rainfall varying from about 37" to 228". South West quarter and Central Region (approx.1/3 of the Island) receives average 79" with a highest range between 158" to 228" being restricted to Western slopes of the Central Hills and North Eastern Hill Country. A little less than 2/3rd of Sri Lanka receives less than 79". The lowest average rainfall is less than 40" is confined to the extreme North Western and South East Region of Sri Lanka.
| March / April | Conventional (Inter-monsoonal) |
| May through September | South West Monsoonal |
| October / November | Conventional / Cyclonic Depressional (Inter-monsoonal) |
| December through February | North East Monsoonal / Depressional |
Demography
| Population | 20.653 million (2010 mid year) |
| Male | 10.249 million |
| Population density | 329 people per sq. Km |
| Population growth rate | 1.0% |
| Population by ethnicity | Singalese - 74%, Sri Lanka Tamils - 13%, Indian Tamils - 5%, Muslims - 7%, Others (Burghers, Malays and other) - 1% |
| Population by religion | Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 7%, Others - 1% |
Education
| Compulsory from | Age 5 to 14 years |
| School attendance | 98% |
| Literacy rate | 92.5% (2003 / 2004) |
| Universities | 11 offering degree courses in - Business Management, Commerce, Mass Communication, medicine, Dentistry, Agriculture, and Computer Science |
| Population by ethnicity | Singalese - 74%, Sri Lanka Tamils - 13%, Indian Tamils - 5%, Muslims - 7%, Others (Burghers, Malays and other) - 1% |
| Population by religion | Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 7%, Others - 1% |
Economic Indicators
| Growth rate | 8% |
| Industrial sector growth | 8.4% |
| Service sector growth | 8% |
| Agriculture sector growth | 7% |
| Annual per capita income | US$ 2,399 |
| Annual rate of unemployment | 4.9% |
| Domestic saving ratio | 18.7% |
| Industries & agriculture | Textiles, tea, coconut products, rice, spices, rubber & rubber products, petroleum refining |
| Services | Tourism, port facilities, banking, insurance |
| Exports | US$ 8,307 million |
| Imports | US$ 13,512 million |
Economic Policy
The Sri Lanka Government is committed to building a strong national economy within a market friendly framework. The principal engine of growth in Sri Lanka is the private sector. Foreign Exchange liberalization measures will continue and be improved; private foreign investment both direct and portfolio are strongly encouraged through the provision of appropriate incentives. The scope of the private sector in Sri Lanka is being expanded by encouraging and providing it with the required facilities. New areas of production in agriculture, industry, infrastructure development and the services sector are being promoted. Sri Lanka has a lively stock exchange. Many areas of the economy of Sri Lanka have been identified and privatised with the view to enhance productivity and further expansion.
Currency
Sri Lanka follows decimal currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs. 2,10,20,50,100,200, 500, 1000 and 5000. Coins are issued in values of Rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously will be the US Dollar. The parity rate is approximately US$ 1 = Rs. 127
National Flag
National Flag of Sri Lanka is the Lion Flag. A Lion bearing a sword in its right hand is depicted in gold on red background with a yellow border. Four Bo leaves pointing inwards are at the four corners. Two vertical bands of green and orange at the mast end represent the minority ethnic groups. It is an adaptation of the standard of the last King of Sri Lanka.
National Emblem
Sri Lanka used the British emblem when it was a British Crown Colony and this continued after gaining independence in 1948. According to the recommendation of a select committee appointed to devise a state emblem more suitable for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) we opted for a new state emblem. It had a lion with sword in its right fore paw encircled with a 'Palapethi' design atop. Below there was a strip carrying the country's name in Sinhala, Tamil and English. A new Republican emblem was chosen after Sri Lanka was declared a Republic on May 22nd, 1972. In addition to the lion with sword and the 'Palapethi' design it portrays the punkalasa, dhammachakka, sun, moon and two sheaves of paddy.
National Flower
Nil Mahanel flower was declared the National Flower of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. Its botanical name is 'Nympheae Stelleta and grows in shallow waters is found in all parts of the country. ' The flower which is purplish blue in colour has a heavy concentration of petals in the center. The Nil Mahanel flower is also considered a symbol of truth, purity and discipline.This flower is mentioned in many Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit literary works. This flower which is also referred to as "Kuvalaya", "indheewara", "Niluppala", "Nilothpala" and "Nilupul" occupies a pre eminent position in Buddhist literature too. It is said the 'Nil Mahanel Flower' was among the 108 ceremonial designs found on the footprint of Prince Siddhartha. It is believed that the damsels depicted in Sigiriya Frescoes also carry the Nil Mahanel flower in their hands. Traditional poetry known as "Sandesa Kavya" likens women's eyes to the Nil Mahanel flower which has also been used as an ear ornament.
National Anthem of Sri LankaSri Lanka Matha, apa Sri Lanka,
Namo... Namo... Namo... Namo Matha. Sundara siri barini, Surandi athi Sobamana Lanka Dhanya dhanaya neka mal pala thuru piri, jaya bhoomiya ramya. Apa hata sepa siri setha sadana, jee vanaye Matha! Piliganu mena apa bhakti pooja, Namo... Namo... Matha. Apa Sri Lanka, Namo.. Namo.. Namo.. Namo Matha, apa Sri Lanka, Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha. Obave apa vidya obamaya apa sathya obave apa shakti apa hada thula bhakti oba apa aloke apage anuprane oba apa jeevana ve apa muktiya obave Nava jeevana demine nithina apa Pubudu karan matha Gnana veerya vadavamina ragena yanu mana jaya bhoomi kara Eka mavekuge daru kala bavina yamu yamu wee nopama Prema vadamu sama bheda durara da Namo.. Namo.. Matha |
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Government
Sri Lanka has a Republican form of Government. The current constitution was adopted in 1978. Universal suffrage began in 1931. The age of voting is 18 and above.
The executive branch consists of the President and a Cabinet of Ministers headed by the President. The President who is elected directly by the people for a six-year term is Head of the State and Head of Government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among the Members of Parliament.
The legislature - parliament consists of 225 representatives (from whom Ministers are appointed by the President). The Members of Parliament are elected for 6 year terms at periodical General Elections through a system of proportional representation. The Sri Lankan Parliament is a Unicameral (one chamber) assembly.
The executive branch consists of the President and a Cabinet of Ministers headed by the President. The President who is elected directly by the people for a six-year term is Head of the State and Head of Government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among the Members of Parliament.
The legislature - parliament consists of 225 representatives (from whom Ministers are appointed by the President). The Members of Parliament are elected for 6 year terms at periodical General Elections through a system of proportional representation. The Sri Lankan Parliament is a Unicameral (one chamber) assembly.
Useful Links
| Government Information Centre | www.gic.gov.lk |
| Department of Immigration and Emmigration | www.immigration.gov.lk |
| Sri Lanka Tourism | www.srilanka.travel | Sri Lanka Tea Board | www.pureceylontea.com |
| Department of Census and Statistics | www.statistics.gov.lk | Central Bank of Sri Lanka | www.cbsl.lk |