2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western; note - North Eastern province may have been divided in two - Northern and Eastern

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.5% (male 2,508,384/female 2,397,986) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 6,658,765/female 7,059,468) 65 years and over: 7.2% (male 670,813/female 769,360) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef

Airports

14 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

13 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.) Military Sri Lanka

Area

land

64,740 sq km

total

65,610 sq km

water

870 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Background

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning 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 seized power in the north and established a Tamil kingdom. Occupied 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 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. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formalized a cease-fire in February 2002, with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Geography Sri Lanka

Birth rate

15.63 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$4.686 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

revenues

$3.34 billion

Capital

Colombo; note - Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital

Climate

tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)

Coastline

1,340 km

Constitution

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; new constitution proposed in 2002

Country name

conventional long form

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

conventional short form

Sri Lanka

former

Serendib, Ceylon

Currency (code)

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Currency code

LKR

Current account balance

$-587.3 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$10.85 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jeffrey J. LUNSTEAD

embassy

210 Galle Road, Colombo 3

FAX

[94] (11) 243-7345

mailing address

P. O. Box 106, Colombo

telephone

[94] (11) 244-8007

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Bernard GOONETILLEKE

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 232-7181

telephone

[1] (202) 483-4025 (through 4028)

Disputes - international

none

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.4 (1995)

Economic aid - recipient

$577 million (1998)

Economy - overview

In 1977, Colombo abandoned statist economic policies and its import substitution trade policy for market-oriented policies and export-oriented trade. Sri Lanka's most dynamic sectors now are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2003, plantation crops made up only 15% of exports (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for 63%. GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% in the early 1990s until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000 with average growth of 5.3%, but 2001 saw the first contraction in the country's history, -1.4%, due to a combination of power shortages, severe budgetary problems, the global slowdown, and continuing civil strife. Growth recovered to 4.0% in 2002 and to 5.2% in both 2003 and 2004. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home about $1 billion a year. The struggle by the Tamil Tigers of the north and east for a largely independent homeland continues to cast a shadow over the economy. In late December 2004, a major tsunami took about 31,000 lives, left more than 6,300 missing and 443,000 displaced, and destroyed an estimated $1.5 billion worth of property.

Electricity - consumption

6.228 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

6.697 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

51.7%

hydro

48.3%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

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

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)

Exchange rates

Sri Lankan rupees per US dollar - 101.194 (2004), 96.521 (2003), 95.662 (2002), 89.383 (2001), 77.005 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister

chief of state

President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 6 April 2004) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%, Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005)

head of government

President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE is the prime minister (since 6 April 2004); the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government

Exports

$5.306 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 32.4%, UK 13.5%, India 6.8%, Germany 4.8% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Sri Lanka

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 Economy Sri Lanka

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

19.1%

industry

26.2%

services

54.7% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $4,000 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.2% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$80.58 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes People Sri Lanka

Government type

republic

Highways

paved

11,068 km

total

11,650 km

unpaved

582 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,500 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 28% (1995)

Imports

$7.265 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment

Imports - partners

India 18%, Singapore 8.7%, Hong Kong 7.7%, China 5.7%, Iran 5.2%, Japan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.1% (2004)

Independence

4 February 1948 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

7.1% (2004 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

13.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

15.57 deaths/1,000 live births

total

14.35 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.8% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), ONUB, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.lk

Internet hosts

1,882 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2000)

Internet users

200,000 (2002) Transportation Sri Lanka

Investment (gross fixed)

22.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

6,510 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Labor force

7.26 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 38%, industry 17%, services 45% (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

13.86%

other

70.44% (2001)

permanent crops

15.7%

Languages

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

Legal system

a highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of a modified proportional representation system by district to serve six-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party or electoral alliance - SLFP and JVP 45.6%, UNP 37.83%, TNA 6.84%, JHU 5.97%, SLMC 2.02%, UPF 0.54%, EPDP 0.27%, others 0.93%; seats by party or electoral alliance - SLFP and JVP 105, UNP 82, TNA 22, JHU 9, SLMC 5, UPF 1, EPDP 1

elections

last held 2 April 2004 (next to be held by 2010)

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.86 years (2005 est.)

male

70.6 years

total population

73.17 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

90% (2003 est.) Government Sri Lanka

male

94.8%

total population

92.3%

Location

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 4,933,217 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 3,789,627 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

174,049 (2005 est.)

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

30.51 years (2005 est.)

male

28.38 years

total

29.44 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 18, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 2

foreign-owned

10 (Germany 10)

registered in other countries

1 (2005)

total

23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 120,924 GRT/173,604 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$514.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.6% (2004) Transnational Issues Sri Lanka

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

Nationality

adjective

Sri Lankan

noun

Sri Lankan(s)

Natural hazards

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Natural resources

limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower

Net migration rate

-1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

75,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Political parties and leaders

All Ceylon Tamil Congress or ACTC [KUMARGURUPARAM]; Ceylon Workers Congress or CWC [Arumugam THONDAMAN]; Communist Party or CP [D. GUNASEKERA]; Democratic United National (Lalith) Front or DUNLF [Shrimani ATULATHMUDALI]; Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]; Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]; Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna or JVP [Tilvan SILVA]; National Heritage Party or JHU [Tilak KARUNARATNE]; National Unity Alliance or NUA [Ferial ASHRAFF]; People's Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [leader NA]; Sihala Urumaya or SU [leader NA]; Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA]; Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]; Sri Lanka Progressive Front or SLPF [P. Nelson PERERA]; Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [SABARATNAM]; Tamil National Alliance or TNA [R. SAMPANTHAN]; Tamil United Liberation Front or TULF [V. ANANDASANGAREE]; United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMASINGHE]; Up-country People's Front or UPF [P. CHANDRASEKARAN]; several ethnic Tamil and Muslim parties, represented in either Parliament or provincial councils

Political pressure groups and leaders

Buddhist clergy; labor unions; Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [Velupillai PRABHAKARAN](insurgent group fighting for a separate state); radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

Population

20,064,776 note: since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought refuge in the West (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

22% (1997 est.)

Population growth rate

0.79% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Colombo, Galle

Public debt

104.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 26, FM 45, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

3.85 million (1997)

Railways

broad gauge

1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2004)

total

1,449 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

362,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to Tamil conflict); 555,000 (resulting from 26 December 2004 tsunami) (2004) This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.475 billion (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and two fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems; telephone density remains low at 2.6 main lines per 100 persons (1999)

general assessment

very inadequate domestic service, particularly in rural areas; likely improvement with privatization of national telephone company and encouragement to private investment; good international service (1999)

international

country code - 94; submarine cables to Indonesia and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (1999)

Telephones - main lines in use

881,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

931,600 (2002)

Television broadcast stations

21 (1997)

Televisions

1.53 million (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

1.85 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.8% (2004 est.)

Waterways

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2004)