Page last updated on January 31, 2014
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.
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
total: 65,610 sq km
country comparison to the world: 122
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
slightly larger than West Virginia
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
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
arable land: 18.29%
permanent crops: 14.94%
other: 66.77% (2011)
total: 12.95 cu km/yr (6%/6%/87%)
per capita: 638.8 cu m/yr (2005)
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
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
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
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
noun: Sri Lankan(s)
adjective: Sri Lankan
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)
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
Buddhist (official) 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
21,675,648 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
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.)
total dependency ratio: 50.7 %
youth dependency ratio: 37.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 12.8 %
potential support ratio: 7.8 (2013)
total: 31.4 years
male: 30.3 years
female: 32.5 years (2013 est.)
0.89% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
16.64 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
urban population: 15.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)
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.)
22.6
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2000 est.)
35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 119
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.)
total population: 76.15 years
country comparison to the world: 83
male: 72.64 years
female: 79.79 years (2013 est.)
2.15 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
3.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 177
0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
2,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
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)
5.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 155
21.6% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 27
2% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 166
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.2%
male: 92.6%
female: 90% (2010 census)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2011)
total: 17.3%
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 14%
female: 23.5% (2012)
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
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)
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended many times, last in 2010 (2010)
mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
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
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%
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
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
Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance, led by General (Retired) Sarath FONSEKA
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
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
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
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
name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE
note: adopted 1951
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.
$124.9 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$58.6 billion (2012 est.)
6.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$6,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
24% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
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%
agriculture: 11.1%
industry: 31.5%
services: 57.5% (2012 est.)
rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish
processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; tourism, shipping; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services, construction
10.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
8.465 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
agriculture: 31.8%
industry: 25.8%
services: 42.4% (June 2012)
4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 39.5% (2009)
49 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 24
revenues: $7.868 billion
expenditures: $11.7 billion (2012 est.)
13.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
-6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
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
7.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
7.5% (19 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
13.28% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$3.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
$21.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$28.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$16.92 billion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 65
$-3.931 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
$9.774 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish
US 20.4%, UK 9.9%, India 5.8%, Italy 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2012)
$17.18 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs
India 22.7%, Singapore 8.8%, UAE 7.7%, China 7%, Iran 6.1%, Malaysia 4.5% (2012)
$7.105 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$26.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
11.52 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
10 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
2.685 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
53.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
44.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
1.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
36,380 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 114
35,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
44,270 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 122
13.1 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
2.796 million (2013)
country comparison to the world: 52
19.533 million (2013)
country comparison to the world: 51
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)
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)
9,552 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 136
1.777 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 77
19 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 138
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m:
total: 1,449 km
country comparison to the world: 80
broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007)
total: 114,093 km
country comparison to the world: 41
paved: 16,977 km
unpaved: 97,116 km (2010)
160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 101
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)
major seaport(s): Colombo
container port(s) (TEUs): Colombo (3,651,963)
Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2013)
18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)
males age 16-49: 5,342,147
females age 16-49: 5,466,409 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 4,177,432
females age 16-49: 4,574,833 (2010 est.)
male: 167,026
female: 162,587 (2010 est.)
2.43% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 73
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)
