South Asia :: Sri Lanka

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## Introduction ::Sri Lanka

Background:
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 ::Sri Lanka

Location:
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinates:
7 00 N, 81 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 65,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 122 land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,340 km
Maritime claims:
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:
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Natural resources:
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 18.29% permanent crops: 14.94% other: 66.77% (2011)
Irrigated land:
5,700 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
52.8 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 12.95 cu km/yr (6%/6%/87%) per capita: 638.8 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Environment - current issues:
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:
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:
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

## People and Society ::Sri Lanka

Nationality:
noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan
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 provisional data)
Languages:
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:
Buddhist (official) 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
Population:
21,675,648 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Age structure:
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:
Median age:
total: 31.4 years male: 30.3 years female: 32.5 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.89% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Birth rate:
16.64 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Death rate:
6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Net migration rate:
-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Urbanization:
urban population: 15.1% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
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:
22.6 note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2000 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 117
Infant mortality rate:
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:
total population: 76.15 years country comparison to the world: 83 male: 72.64 years female: 79.79 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.15 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
68% (2006/07)
Health expenditures:
3% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 179
Physicians density:
0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 90% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 10% of population total: 9% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 88% of population rural: 93% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 12% of population rural: 7% of population total: 8% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Major infectious diseases:
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:
5.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 155
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
21.6% (2009) country comparison to the world: 27
Education expenditures:
2% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 166
Literacy:
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):
total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 19.4% country comparison to the world: 61 male: 16.3% female: 24.7% (2010)

## Government ::Sri Lanka

Country name:
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:
republic
Capital:
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:
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence:
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution:
adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended many times, most recently in 2010
Legal system:
mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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 ) 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:
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:
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:
Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance, led by General (Retired) Sarath FONSEKA Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE] Tamil National Alliance led by Illandai Tamil Arasu Kachchi [R. SAMPANTHAN] United National Front led by United National Party [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] United People's Freedom Alliance led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Buddhist clergy labor unions hard-line nationalist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups
International organization participation:
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:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA 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:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON 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:
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):
lion
National anthem:
name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka) lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE note: adopted 1951

## Economy ::Sri Lanka

Economy - overview:
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):
$128.4 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $120.6 billion (2011 est.) $111.4 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$59.41 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 8.2% (2011 est.) 8% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,200 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $5,900 (2011 est.) $5,500 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 11.1% industry: 31.5% services: 57.5% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
8.194 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 31.8% industry: 25.8% services: 42.4% (June 2012)
Unemployment rate:
5.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 4.2% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line:
8.9% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 39.5% (2009)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49 (2010) country comparison to the world: 24 46 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
28.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Budget:
revenues: $7.868 billion expenditures: $11.63 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
13.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 200
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-6.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Public debt:
77.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 78.4% of GDP (2011 est.) 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
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 6.7% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7.5% (19 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 7% (31 December 2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.25% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 9.41% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $3.852 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$21.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $18.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$28.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $26.53 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$16.92 billion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 65 $19.44 billion (31 December 2011) $19.92 billion (31 December 2010)
Agriculture - products:
rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish
Industries:
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:
10.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Current account balance:
-$4.737 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 -$4.638 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
$9.785 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $10.56 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish
Exports - partners:
US 22.6%, UK 9.8%, India 6.4%, Belgium 5.2%, Germany 4.8%, Italy 4.3% (2012)
Imports:
$17.32 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $18.24 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
India 21.3%, China 16.5%, Singapore 8.6%, Iran 7.7%, UAE 4.4%, Malaysia 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.831 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $6.748 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$26.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $23.98 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 127.6 (2012 est.) 110.57 (2011 est.) 113.06 (2010 est.) 114.95 (2009) 108.33 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Sri Lanka

Electricity - production:
11.52 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - consumption:
10 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
3.139 million kW (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
53.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
44.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
1.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Crude oil - imports:
41,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Refined petroleum products - production:
50,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - imports:
48,140 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
14.09 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

## Communications ::Sri Lanka

Telephones - main lines in use:
3.608 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 44
Telephones - mobile cellular:
18.319 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 49
Telephone system:
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:
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:
.lk
Internet hosts:
9,552 (2012) country comparison to the world: 136
Internet users:
1.777 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 77

## Transportation ::Sri Lanka

Airports:
18 (2012) country comparison to the world: 141
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2012)
Heliports:
1 (2012)
Railways:
total: 1,449 km country comparison to the world: 80 broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
total: 91,907 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 49
Waterways:
160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2012) country comparison to the world: 101
Merchant marine:
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:
Colombo

## Military ::Sri Lanka

Military branches:
Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,342,147 females age 16-49: 5,466,409 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,177,432 females age 16-49: 4,574,833 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 167,026 female: 162,587 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 42

## Transnational Issues ::Sri Lanka

Disputes - international:
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
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)

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