2011 Edition

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 resettled more than 75 percent of internally displaced persons and has undertaken a number of massive infrastructure projects to reconstruct its economy.

Area

65,610 sq km 64,630 sq km 980 sq km

total

65,610 sq km

water

980 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

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

Coastline

1,340 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Marine Life Conservation

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

12.61 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) 608 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

608 cu m/yr (2000)

total

12.61 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%)

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

Irrigated land

5,700 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

13.96% 15.24% 70.8% (2005)

arable land

13.96%

other

70.8% (2005)

permanent crops

15.24%

Location

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

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

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

Natural hazards

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

50 cu km (1999)

Age structure

24.9% (male 2,705,953/female 2,599,717) 67.2% (male 6,993,668/female 7,313,440) 7.9% (male 720,219/female 950,916) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

24.9% (male 2,705,953/female 2,599,717)

15-64 years

67.2% (male 6,993,668/female 7,313,440)

65 years and over

7.9% (male 720,219/female 950,916) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

17.42 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.1% (2007)

Death rate

5.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98% of population rural: 88% of population total: 90% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 12% of population total: 10% of population (2008)

rural

12% of population

total

10% of population (2008)

urban

2% of population

Education expenditures

NA

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)

Health expenditures

4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,800 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)

Infant mortality rate

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births 10.68 deaths/1,000 live births 8.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

8.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

9.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

75.73 years 72.21 years 79.38 years (2011 est.)

female

79.38 years (2011 est.)

total population

75.73 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 90.7% 92.3% 89.1% (2001 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

89.1% (2001 census)

male

92.3%

total population

90.7%

Major cities - population

COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever and chikungunya leptospirosis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

vectorborne disease

dengue fever and chikungunya

water contact disease

leptospirosis

Maternal mortality rate

39 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

30.8 years 29.7 years 31.8 years (2011 est.)

female

31.8 years (2011 est.)

male

29.7 years

total

30.8 years

Nationality

Sri Lankan(s) Sri Lankan

adjective

Sri Lankan

noun

Sri Lankan(s)

Net migration rate

-2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.492 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

21,283,913 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.934% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 88% of population rural: 92% of population total: 91% of population urban: 12% of population rural: 8% of population total: 9% of population (2008)

rural

8% of population

total

9% of population (2008)

urban

12% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 12 years 13 years (2004)

female

13 years (2004)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.2 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

21.3% 17.1% 27.9% (2009)

female

27.9% (2009)

total

21.3%

Urbanization

14% of total population (2010) 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

14% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western

Capital

Colombo 6 56 N, 79 51 E UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)

geographic coordinates

6 56 N, 79 51 E

name

Colombo

time difference

UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended 20 December 2001

Country name

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu Shri Lamka/Ilankai Serendib, Ceylon

conventional long form

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

conventional short form

Sri Lanka

former

Serendib, Ceylon

local long form

Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu

local short form

Shri Lamka/Ilankai

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 P. O. Box 106, Colombo [94] (11) 249-8500 [94] (11) 243-7345

chief of mission

Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS

embassy

210 Galle Road, Colombo 3

FAX

[94] (11) 243-7345

mailing address

P. O. Box 106, Colombo

telephone

[94] (11) 249-8500

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 [1] (202) 232-7181 Los Angeles New York

chancery

2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 232-7181

telephone

[1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028

Executive branch

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) President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005) Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (two-term limit); election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016) Mahinda RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister

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)

election results

Mahinda RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (two-term limit); election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016)

head of government

President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005)

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

Government type

republic

Independence

4 February 1948 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law

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) last held on 8 April 2010 with a repoll in two electorates held on 20 April 2010 (next to be held by April 2016) 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 1.94%; seats by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 144, United National Party 60, Tamil National Alliance 14, Democratic National Alliance 7

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 1.94%; seats by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 144, United National Party 60, Tamil National Alliance 14, Democratic National Alliance 7

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)

National anthem

"Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka) Ananda SAMARKONE adopted 1951

lyrics/music

Ananda SAMARKONE

name

"Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance led by 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]

Coalitions and leaders

Democratic National Alliance led by 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

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [P. SIVAPARAN, Chief of International Secretariat; V. RUDRAKUMARAN, legal advisor]; note - this insurgent group suffered military defeat in May 2009; some cadres remain scattered throughout country; Buddhist clergy; labor unions; radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

other

Buddhist clergy; labor unions; radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$7.386 billion $11.32 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$11.32 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$7.386 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 15% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.22% (31 December 2010 est.) 15.67% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.691 billion (2010 est.) -$291 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$19.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $17.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.3 (2007) 46 (1995)

Economy - overview

Sri Lanka is engaging in large-scale reconstruction and development projects following the end of the 26-year conflict with the LTTE, including increasing electricity access and rebuilding its road and rail network. Additionally, Sri Lanka seeks to reduce poverty by using a combination of state directed policies and private investment promotion to spur growth in disadvantaged areas, develop small and medium enterprises, and promote increased agriculture. High levels of government funding may be difficult, as the government already is faced with high debt interest payments, a bloated civil service, and historically high budget deficits. The 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession exposed Sri Lanka's economic vulnerabilities and nearly caused a balance of payments crisis, which was alleviated by a $2.6 billion IMF standby agreement in July 2009. The end of the civil war and the IMF loan, however, have largely restored investors' confidence, reflected in part by the Sri Lankan stock market's recognition as one of the best performing markets in the world. Sri Lankan growth rates averaged nearly 5% in during the war, but increased government spending on development and fighting the LTTE in the final years spurred GDP growth to around 6-7% per year in 2006-08. After experiencing 3.5% growth in 2009, Sri Lanka's economy is poised to achieve high growth rates in the postwar period.

Electricity - consumption

7.885 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

8.893 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 113.36 (2010) 114.95 (2009) 108.33 (2008) 110.78 (2007) 103.99 (2006)

Exports

$8.307 billion (2010 est.) $7.085 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish

Exports - partners

US 19.6%, UK 10.4%, Italy 5.1%, India 4.9%, Germany 4.9%, Belgium 4.1% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

12.8% 29.4% 57.8% (2010 est.)

agriculture

12.8%

industry

29.4%

services

57.8% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2010 est.) $4,600 (2009 est.) $4,400 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

9.1% (2010 est.) 3.8% (2009 est.) 6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$49.68 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$106.5 billion (2010 est.) $97.6 billion (2009 est.) $94.02 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.1% 32.9% (2007)

highest 10%

32.9% (2007)

lowest 10%

3.1%

Imports

$12.16 billion (2010 est.) $9.186 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

India 19.4%, China 15.1%, Singapore 9.1%, Iran 7%, Japan 4.9% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

8.4% (2010 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.9% (2010 est.) 3.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

8.074 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

32.7% 26.3% 41% (December 2008 est.)

agriculture

32.7%

industry

26.3%

services

41% (December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$19.92 billion (31 December 2010) $8.133 billion (31 December 2009) $4.326 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

92,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

84,730 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

637 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2008 est.)

Public debt

81.9% of GDP (2010 est.) 86.1% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.197 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.358 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$19.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$20.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.72 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.579 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.871 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.8% (2010 est.) 5.7% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

government operates 2 television channels and a radio network; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are obtainable; 8 private TV stations and about a dozen private radio stations in operation (2008)

Internet country code

.lk

Internet hosts

8,865 (2010)

Internet users

1.777 million (2009)

Telephone system

telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country 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 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)

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

general assessment

telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.579 million (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17.359 million (2010)

Airports

18 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

7 (2010)

over 3,047 m

1

total

14

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

4

under 914 m

3 (2010)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3 5 (Germany 5) (2010)

foreign-owned

5 (Germany 5) (2010)

total

22

Ports and terminals

Colombo

Railways

1,449 km 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2010)

total

1,449 km

Roadways

91,907 km (2008)

total

91,907 km (2008)

Waterways

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2008)

Manpower available for military service

5,342,147 5,466,409 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

5,466,409 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,342,147

Manpower fit for military service

4,177,432 4,574,833 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

4,574,833 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,177,432

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

167,026 162,587 (2010 est.)

female

162,587 (2010 est.)

male

167,026

Military branches

Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2010)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (2010)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

460,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to long-term civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)) (2007)

IDPs

460,000 (both Tamils and non-Tamils displaced due to long-term civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)) (2007)