COUNTRY |
Name |
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
Conventional short form |
Sri Lanka |
Time Difference |
Sri Lanka's standard time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich. (GMT +06:00) Colombo. |
Legislative Capital |
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte |
Commercial Capital |
Colombo |
Independence |
4 February 1948 (from UK) |
Government |
Sri Lanka, is a free, independent and sovereign nation. Legislative power is exercised by a Parliament, elected by universal franchise on proportional representation basis. A President, who is also elected by the people, exercises executive power inclusive of defence. Sri Lanka enjoys a multi party system, and the people vote to elect a new government every six years. |
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 Anthem |
"Sri Lanka Matha" composed by late Mr. Ananda Samarakoon. |
GEOGRAPHY |
Map references |
Asia |
Location |
Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean off the southern tip of the coast of India,
880 km north of the Equator, separated from India Palk Straits.
 |
Geographic coordinates |
6-10 degrees North latitude / 80-82 degrees East longitude |
Maximum Length |
432 km |
Maximum Breadth |
224 km |
Land Area |
65,525 Sq. km |
Excluding Inland Waters |
62,336 Sq. km |
Highest Water fall |
Bambarakanda – 241 meters |
Highest Peak |
Pidurutalagala – 2524 meters |
Longest River |
Mahaweli River – 335 km |
Climate |
Low lands – tropical, average 27C.
Central hills – cooler, with temperatures dropping to 14C. The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka has a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.
|
PEOPLE |
Population |
19 Million |
Nationality |
Sri Lankan |
Ethnic groups |
Sinhalese 74%, Sri Lankan Tamil 12.6%, Moor 5.5%
Indian Tamils 7.1% Others 0.8% |
Religions |
Buddhist 63.9% Hindu 15.5% Christian 7.6%
Muslim 7.5% Others 0.1% |
Population Distribution |
Urban 21.5% Rural 72.2% Estate 6.3% |
Population density |
304 people per sq km |
Rates of Population Growth |
1.4 % |
Life expectancy at birth |
74.2 female, 69.5 male |
Languages |
The most commonly-spoken languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala, Tamil and English. Communication is rarely a problem because English is widely spoken in all parts of the country. Place names and sign boards are in the national language and often in English. Literacy rate average 80% - one of the highest in Asia. |
GENERAL |
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 2000. Coins are issued in values of Cts. 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 and Rs. 1, 2, 5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously will be the US Dollar. Approx. LKR 113/- equivalent to 1 USD. |
Industries |
Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco. |
Major Exports |
Textiles and garments, tea, diamonds and jewelry, petroleum products, rubber products, gems, cut flowers, tropical fruits and labour. |
Best Buys |
Sri Lanka has a wide variety of souvenirs on offer, these include tea, baskets, bags, mats, masks, batiks, silk, clothes, furniture, wood carvings and leather goods as well as gold and silver jewelry. The world-famous Sri Lanka gems are also worth considering. |
Tips |
It’s common here to give a tip, (for example in the hotel to room boys/girls, suitcase carriers). |
Labour Force |
37.4 % agriculture; 41.8 % industry and commerce; 17.9 % service industries. |
Visas |
Consult your local Sri Lankan embassy or consulate. Most nationals get a 30 days visa on arrival. |
Agriculture - Products |
Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, roots, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, meat. |
Working week |
Sri Lanka works a five-day week, from Monday to Friday. |
Business hours |
Government offices: 8.15 am - 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
Banks: 9.00 am - 3.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 8.30 am - 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday |
Telephone and Faxes |
Telecommunication shops providing services for telephone, fax, email and photocopies are found commonly. Most of these shops are open 24 hours. It’s also possible to obtain these services from the hotel. Mobile telephones too could be hired or a GSM chip could be bought on arrival. |
Medical Facilities |
The professional standards of doctors and surgeons are excellent, and many of them hold British qualifications. Good private facilities are also available at reasonable rates. For emergency medical care, you should go to Colombo General Hospital, E.W. Perera Mawatha, Colombo 10, or the Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital at Pelawatte, Sri Jayawardenepura. Although the later is a 30-minute drive from Colombo, it offers latest medical facilities. |
| Annual per capital GNP
|
US$ 870 |
Literacy rate |
91.8% |
A few important telephone numbers |
Sunway Holidays: 031-2238282 or 5677444 or 5678008, Fax : 011-2238182 or 2238282
Sri Lanka Tourism : 011 - 2437059
Police Head Quarters : 011 - 2421111
Colombo National Hospital : 011 - 2691111
Bandaranaike International Airport: 011 - 2252861
Sri Lankan Airlines: 019733 - 5555
Directory Assistance – National : 1201
Directory Assistance – International : 1200 |
