Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the island were controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formalized a cease-fire in February 2002 with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Violence between the LTTE and government forces intensified in 2006, but the government regained control of the Eastern Province in 2007. By May 2009, the government announced that its military had defeated the remnants of the LTTE. Since the end of the conflict, the government has enacted an ambitious program of economic development projects, many of which are financed by loans from the Government of China. In addition to efforts to reconstruct its economy, the government has resettled more than 95% of those civilians who were displaced during the final phase of the conflict and released the vast majority of former LTTE combatants captured by Government Security Forces. At the same time, there has been little progress on more contentious and politically difficult issues such as reaching a political settlement with Tamil elected representatives and holding accountable those alleged to have been involved in human rights violations at the end of the war.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 00 N, 81 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 65,610 sq km
country comparison to the world: 122
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,340 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 18.29%
permanent crops: 14.94%
other: 66.77% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12.95 cu km/yr (6%/6%/87%)
per capita: 638.8 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Sri Lankan(s)
adjective: Sri Lankan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%
note: English, spoken competently by about 10% of the population, is commonly used in government and is referred to as the link language in the constitution
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Buddhist (official) 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21,675,648 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24.8% (male 2,741,879/female 2,632,613)
15-24 years: 15.1% (male 1,659,566/female 1,615,616)
25-54 years: 42.4% (male 4,484,738/female 4,697,355)
55-64 years: 9.3% (male 939,174/female 1,084,108)
65 years and over: 8.4% (male 778,629/female 1,041,970) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 50.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 37.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 12.8 %
potential support ratio: 7.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 31.4 years
male: 30.3 years
female: 32.5 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.89% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.64 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 15.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.6
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2000 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 119
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.24 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 147
male: 10.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 76.15 years
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 72.64 years
female: 79.79 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.15 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68% (2006/07)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 177
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne disease: dengue fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 155
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.6% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 27
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 166
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.2%
male: 92.6%
female: 90% (2010 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 17.3%
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 14%
female: 23.5% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
local long form: Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu
local short form: Shri Lanka/Ilankai
former: Serendib, Ceylon
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Colombo
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 79 50 E
time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended many times, last in 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Dissanayake Mudiyanselage JAYARATNE holds the largely ceremonial title of prime minister (since 21 April 2010)
head of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term, eligible for a second term; election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of an open-list, proportional representation system by electoral district to serve six-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 April 2010 with a repoll in two electorates held on 20 April 2010 (next to be held by April 2016)
election results: percent of vote by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 60.93%, United National Party 29.34%, Democratic National Alliance 5.49%, Tamil National Alliance 2.9%, other 1.34%; seats by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 144, United National Party 60, Tamil National Alliance 14, Democratic National Alliance 7
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation
judge selection and term of office: the chief justice appointed by the president; the other justices appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; all justices hold office until age 65
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate's Courts; municipal and primary courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance, led by General (Retired) Sarath FONSEKA
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Buddhist clergy
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA (since 18 July 2008)
chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON (since 29 September 2012); note - also accredited to Maldives
embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3
mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo
telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500
FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a dark red rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green the Sri Lankan Moors; dark red represents the European Burghers, but also refers to the rich colonial background of the country; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE
note: adopted 1951
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sri Lanka continues to experience strong economic growth following the end of the 26-year conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The government has been pursuing large-scale reconstruction and development projects in its efforts to spur growth in war-torn and disadvantaged areas, develop small and medium enterprises and increase agricultural productivity. The government's high debt payments and bloated civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits, but fiscal consolidation efforts and strong GDP growth in recent years have helped bring down the government's fiscal deficit. However, low tax revenues are a major concern. The 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession exposed Sri Lanka''s economic vulnerabilities and nearly caused a balance of payments crisis. Growth slowed to 3.5% in 2009. Economic activity rebounded with the end of the war and an IMF agreement, resulting in two straight years of 8% growth in 2010-11. Growth moderated to about 6% in 2012. Agriculture slowed due to a drought and weak global demand affected exports and trade. In early 2012, Sri Lanka floated the rupee, resulting in a sharp depreciation, and took steps to curb imports. A large trade deficit remains a concern. Strong remittances from Sri Lankan workers abroad have helped to offset the trade deficit.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$124.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$58.6 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 69.6%
government consumption: 13.5%
investment in fixed capital: 28.9%
investment in inventories: 1.8%
exports of goods and services: 22.8%
imports of goods and services: -36.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 11.1%
industry: 31.5%
services: 57.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; tourism, shipping; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.465 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 31.8%
industry: 25.8%
services: 42.4% (June 2012)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.9% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 39.5% (2009)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 24
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $7.868 billion
expenditures: $11.7 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
note: covers central government debt, and excludes debt instruments directly owned by government entities other than the treasury (e.g. commercial bank borrowings of a government corporation); the data includes treasury debt held by foreign entities as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement; sub-national entities are usually not permitted to sell debt instruments
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.5% (19 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.28% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$21.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$28.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.92 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 65
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-3.931 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.774 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 20.4%, UK 9.9%, India 5.8%, Italy 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.18 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
India 22.7%, Singapore 8.8%, UAE 7.7%, China 7%, Iran 6.1%, Malaysia 4.5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.105 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.52 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.685 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36,380 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 114
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
35,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44,270 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 122
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.1 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.796 million (2013)
country comparison to the world: 52
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.533 million (2013)
country comparison to the world: 51
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country
domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing
international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
government operates 8 TV channels and a radio network; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 35 private TV stations and about 50 radio stations (2012)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.lk
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,552 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.777 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 77
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 138
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,449 km
country comparison to the world: 80
broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 114,093 km
country comparison to the world: 41
paved: 16,977 km
unpaved: 97,116 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 101
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21
country comparison to the world: 94
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 13, chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 8 (Germany 8) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Colombo
container port(s) (TEUs): Colombo (3,651,963)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 5,342,147
females age 16-49: 5,466,409 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 4,177,432
females age 16-49: 4,574,833 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 167,026
female: 162,587 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.43% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 73
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
IDPs: 118,376 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 470,000 IDPs registered as returnees had not reached durable solutions as of September 2012) (2012)