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Fact Sheet - Sri Lanka

Official name:

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Government type:

republic

Location:

Latitude 5° 55. to 9° 50. north, longitude 79° 42. to 81° 52., 650km north of the equator

Dimensions:

430km north to south, 225km east to west

Coastline:

1,340km

Area:

65,525km

Currency (code):

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Independence:

4 February 1948

Administrative capital:

Sri Jayewardenepura

Commercial capital:

Colombo

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western, Eastern Province.

Climate:

Typically tropical, with a northeast monsoon (December to March) bringing unsettled weather to the north and east, and a southwest monsoon (June to October) bringing bad weather to the south and west

Terrain:

Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Highest mountain:

Pidurutalagala, 2,524m

Highest waterfall:

Bambarakanda, 263m

National Flower

The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata).

National parks and
nature reserves area:

8,000sq.km

Population:

21,128,773 (? Census)

Population growth rate:

1.3%

Population Density:

309 people per sq km

Life Expectancy at Birth

74 female, 64 male

Literacy rate :

Female 87.9 Male 92.5

Ethnic groups:

Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census)

Languages:

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%
Note: English (a link language commonly) is used in government and spoken competently by about 10% of the population

Religion:

Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census)

Time zone:

Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.)

International dialing:

+94

Electricity:

230 . 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer bring a stabilizer

Economy:

Sri Lanka.s most dynamic sectors are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2006, plantation crops made up only 15% of exports (90% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for more than 60%. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% of them in the Middle East. They send home more than US$1 billion a year.

Labour force

34.3% of the labour population is employed in agriculture, 25.3% in industry and 40.4% in services: 40.4% (30 June 2006 est.) The unemployment rate is 5.7% (2007 est.)

Agriculture & products

Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconutsm milk, eggs, hides, beef, fish

Industries:

Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining.

Exports:

Textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish

Imports:

Main import commodities are textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment: $10.61 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.). Percentage of main commodities from main import partners: India 19.6%, China 10.5%, Singapore 8.8%, Iran 5.7%, Malaysia 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.2%, Japan 4.1% (2006)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

Purchasing power parity: $81.29 billion (2007 est.). Official exchange rate: $30.01 billion (2007 est.) Real growth rate: 6.3% (2007 est.) Per capita: $4,100 (2007 est.) composition by sector: Agriculture: 16.5% Industry: 26.9%

Gross National Product (GNP):

Sri Lanka is placed in 76th place in GNP figures of the world.s nations with $22.8 billion (2005)

Flag description:

yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels

TOP
High Commissioner placing a wreath at the IPKF memorial on India's 63rd Republic Day
Cultural performance by students of ICC at India House on the occasion of Republic Day - 26 Jan 2012
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha inspecting a Guard of Honour
The National Anthem being played following the unfurling of the tricolour at India House on India's 63rd Republic Day - 26 Jan 2012
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha unfurling the National Flag at India House on the occasion of India's 63rd Republic Day
EAM Krishna at the bicycle distribution function in Jaffna on 18 Jan 2012
EAM Krishna inaugurating the renovated school at Kilinochchi on 18 Jan 2012
EAM Krishna visiting the District Hospital in Kilinochchi on 18 Jan 2012
EAM Krishna records his remarks in the Visitors Book kept at the IPKF memorial
EAM Krishna at the IPKF memorial near Colombo on 17 Jan 2012
EAM Krishna with Prof G.L.Peiris on 17 Jan 2012
EAM Krishna meeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on 17 Jan 2012
EAM with Prof G.L.Peiris, Minister of External Affairs and High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha on arrival in Sri Lanka on 16 Jan 2012
External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna being received by Prof G.L.Peiris and High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha on arrival at Katunayake airport on 16 Jan 2012
Hon’ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport, addressing the gathering during the signing ceremony for restoration of the Pallai-Kankesanthurai Railway Line
An agreement for restoration of the Pallai-Kankesanthurai Railway Line being exchanged between Mr. B.A.P. Ariyarathna, General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways and Mr. Mohan Tiwari, Managing Director, IRCON (a Government of India Undertaking)  in presence of Hon’ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport, H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India.
Hon’ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport, H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India, Mr. Dhammika Perera, Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr. A.P. Mishra, Member (Engineering), Ministry of Railways, Government of India, Mr. B.A.P. Ariyarathna, General Manager, Sri Lanka Railways and Mr. Mohan Tiwari, Managing Director, IRCON (a Government of India Undertaking) during the signing ceremony for restoration of the Pallai-Kankesanthurai Railway Line
Hon'ble Basil Rajapaksa, Minister for Economic Development, Government of Sri Lanka addressing the gathering at the signing ceremony of a MoU regarding restoration of the Thiruketheeswaram Temple
H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India addressing the gathering at the signing ceremony of a MoU regarding restoration of the Thiruketheeswaram Temple
High Commissioner handing over lab equipment to Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education under assistance provided by Government of India to the Siddha Faculty, Trincomalee Campus of Eastern University
High Commissioner with Hon'ble Governor, Eastern Province at handing over ceremony of assistance provided under Government of India grant to the Siddha Faculty, Trincomalee Campus of Eastern University
High Commissioner handing over a computer to one of the school Principals at a ceremony organized at Vivekanand College, Trincomalee on 24 September. Also seen in the picture are Hon'ble Governor, Eastern Province and Hon'ble Chief Minister, Eastern Province
Prime Minister meeting with President of Sri Lanka on the sidelines of the UNGA ( 23 September 2011, New York)
Mr. P. Uma Shankar, Secretary (Power), Government of India delivering an address at the signing of JV Agreement between NTPC and CEB to set up Sampur Power Plant.
Co-chairs High Commissioner Ashok K. Kanth and High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam with Board members at the 27th meeting of the Board of Directors of India Sri Lanka Foundation held in New Delhi on 25th August
Hon'ble Kumara Welgama, Minister of Transport, H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner witnessing the signing ceremony.
High Commissioner reading the President's address to the Nation
High Commissioner inspecting the guard of honour presented by BSF contingent
High Commissioner unfurling the national flag at a function to celebrate the 65th Independence Day of India
Minister of Economic Development Hon. Basil Rajapaksa and High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha flagging the start of wreck removal work at a ceremony in Kankesanthurai
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Mrs. Sujatha Cooray, Secretary of Ports and Highways signing MoU to Rehabilitate of Kankesanthurai Harbour
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Hon'ble Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development signing MoU for setting up of facilities at Vocational Training Centre in Nuwara Eliya
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha addressing at the commemoration of formation of India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha along with Hon'ble Arumugam Thondaman, Navin Dissanayake, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Muthu Sivalingam, Sunil K. Amarathunga, other prominent members of Central Provincial Council and other dignitaries
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha along with Hon'ble Maithripala Siriasena, Minister of Health at the Foundation Stone Laying ceremony at Dickoya
High Commissioner, Ashok k. Kantha presenting a plaque to Padma Shri Pandit Amaradeva at a felicitation event organized at India House on 27 June, 2011.
Padma Shri Pandit Amaradeva and his daughter Subhanie presented a spellbinding rendition of music at the event organized at India House to felicitate Padma Shri Pandit Amaradeva.
Pt. Amaradeva's felicitation
Pt. Amaradeva's felicitation
High Commissioner with the members of an ICCR sponsored Odissi Dance troupe after their performance
Odissi Dance troupe performance
Hon. Mr. S. Alavi Mowlana (Jamal Allai), Governor with Mr. Ashok K Kantha, High Commissioner of India at "Puducherry Blue" exhibition.
"Puducherry Blue" exhibition was inaugurated by Hon. Mr. S. Alavi Mowlana (Jamal Allai), Governor, Western Province, Sri Lanka, in the presence of Mr. Ashok K Kantha, High Commissioner of India at the J. D. A. Perera Gallery in Colombo on 5th April.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha, Hon. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, Sri Lanka, Hon'ble S. Alavi Moulana Governor of the Western Province and Mr. Buddhi Keertisena, taking a round of the stalls
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha addressing the gathering at the inauguration.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha inaugurated the joint Handicrafts exhibition and fair by award winning craftspersons from India and Sri Lanka at the National Art Gallery.
The President, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka at the inauguration of the International Buddhist Conference in Kandy, together with the High Commissioner of India and the Director General of ICCR.
Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, Prof. G.L. Peiris, addressing the inaugural session of the Conference
DG ICCR Sh. Suresh K.Goel addressing the inaugural session of the Conference
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha at the Inaugural Session of the Conference
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visiting the exhibition of photographs by Benoy Behl of Buddhist sites and artefacts in India and Sri Lanka
High Commissioner, Chairman, NFC and Deputy High Commissioner glancing through the brochure before the screening of the film
IGP, Sri Lanka lightening the traditional lamp
High Commissioner lightening the traditional lamp to inaugurate the Indian Film Festival
Chairman, National Film Corporation escorting the High Commissioner to NFC Hall for the inauguration of the Indian Film Festival
High Commissioner with IGP, Sri Lanka and Chairman, SLRC at the inauguration of the Indian Film Festival
NFC Hall- Venue of the Indian Film Festival in Colombo
Poster displaying screening schedule of the Indian Film Festival
Indian decor at the entrance of the NFC Hall hosting Indian Film Festival
Indian ambience at the venue of the Indian Film Festival
Speaker with President
Plenary Session - III
Defence Secretary of India Mr. Pradeep Kumar laying wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo on 28 December 2010.
Defence Secretary of India Mr. Pradeep Kumar laying wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo on 28 December 2010.
High Commissioner Mr. Ashok K. Kantha laying wreath at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo on 28 December 2010.
Defence Secretary of India Mr. Pradeep Kumar signing the Visitors Book at the IPKF Memorial in Colombo on 28 December 2010.
IPKF Memorial, Colombo.
IPKF Memorial, Colombo.
Tractors lined up at Galle face, Colombo for a Tractor handing over ceremony by the High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha to the Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa-1 November 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha handing over tractors to Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa at a ceremony held at Galle Face Green, Colombo on 1 November 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha with Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa interacting with media at the tractor handing over ceremony held at Galle Face Green, Colombo on 1 November 2010.
High Commissioner, Minister of Economic Development, Minister of Traditional Industries & Small Enterprises Development enjoying a tractor ride at Tractor handing over ceremony held at Galle Face Green, Colombo on 1 November 2010.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma and High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha with H.E. President of Sri Lanka at Presidential Banquet on occasion of Diamond Jubilee celebration of Sri Lanka Navy, 8 December 2010.
Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa meeting with Minister of Tourism of India Kumari Selja in New Delhi- August 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha participating in a meeting between Minister of Tourism of India and Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka held in New Delhi in August 2010.
Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka meeting Minister of Tourism of India in New Delhi in August 2010/ High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha is also seen in the picture.
Exchange of gifts during call by Minister of Economic Development of Sri Lanka on Minister of Tourism of India in New Delhi in August 2010.
Minister of State of External Affairs Mrs. Preneet Kaur with H.E. the President of Sri Lanka at the luncheon hosted by the President after the swearing in ceremony for his 2nd term held in Colombo on 19 November 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha felicitating H.E. the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa at a luncheon hosted by the President after swearing in ceremony for his 2nd term held in Colombo on 19 November.
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao interacting with the recently resettled IDPs in Wanni, Sri Lanka (31August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao interacting with the recently resettled IDPs in Wanni, Sri Lanka (31August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao interacting with the recently resettled IDPs in Wanni, Sri Lanka (31August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao at Mahilankulam where demining operations are being conducted by an Indian demining group (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance to recently resettled IDPs in Omanthai, Sri Lanka (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance to recently resettled IDPs in Omanthai, Sri Lanka (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance to recently resettled IDPs at Kilinochchi (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao lighting a lamp at a function in Jaffna where consignments of Indian assistance were distributed to recently resettled IDPs (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance to recently resettled IDPs at Jaffna (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao was accorded a warm public reception at the Jaffna Public Library (31 August 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance consisting of roofing sheets to recently resettled IDPs in Mullaitivu (1 September 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance consisting of roofing sheets, agricultural tool kits and cement bags to recently resettled IDPs in Mullaitivu (1 September 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao distributing consignment of Indian assistance to recently resettled IDPs in Mullaitivu (1 September 2010).
Foreign Secretary Smt. Nirupama Rao interacting with recently resettled IDPs at Mullaitivu (1 September 2010).
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa laying wreath at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, in Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat, in Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa inspecting the Guard of Honour, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh with the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his wife Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil welcomes the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his wife Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa, at the ceremonial reception, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is also seen.
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh meeting the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries at the closing ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010-Delhi, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in New Delhi on October 14, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa greeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the successful completion of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, at the closing ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010-Delhi, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in New Delhi on October 14, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the President, CGF, Mr. Michael Fennell during the closing ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010-Delhi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on October 14, 2010.
Minister of State of External Affairs Mrs. Preneet Kaur exchanging greetings with H.E. the President of Sri Lanka at the swearing in ceremony for his 2nd term held in Colombo on 19 November 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K, Kantha and Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka C. R. Jayasinghe signing the Notes for the establishment of Consulates General of India at Jaffna and Hambantota on 20 August 2010.
High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha and Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka C.R. Jayasinghe exchanging notes for the establishment of Consulates General of India at Jaffna and Hambantota on 20 August 2010.
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa witnessing the signing ceremony between India and Sri Lanka, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the delegation level talks, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
The President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa meeting the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, in New Delhi on June 09, 2010.
 
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