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Sri Lanka

2012 Edition · 271 data fields

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Introduction

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

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 (2003)

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)

People and Society

Age structure

24.9% (male 2,723,657/ female 2,615,425) 67% (male 7,041,566/ female 7,358,891) 8.1% (male 747,433/ female 994,362) (2012 est.)
0-14 years
24.9% (male 2,723,657/ female 2,615,425)
15-64 years
67% (male 7,041,566/ female 7,358,891)
65 years and over
8.1% (male 747,433/ female 994,362) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

17.04 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.1% (2007)

Death rate

5.96 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

9.47 deaths/1,000 live births 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
female
8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
total
9.47 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% 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

Life expectancy at birth

75.94 years 72.43 years 79.59 years (2012 est.)
female
79.59 years (2012 est.)
total population
75.94 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 91.2% 92.6% 90% (2010 census)
definition
age 15 and over can read and write
female
90% (2010 census)
male
92.6%
total population
91.2%

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

35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

31.1 years 30.1 years 32.2 years (2012 est.)
female
32.2 years (2012 est.)
male
30.1 years
total
31.1 years

Nationality

Sri Lankan(s) Sri Lankan
adjective
Sri Lankan
noun
Sri Lankan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.492 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

21,481,334 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

0.913% (2012 est.)

Religions

Buddhist (official) 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
rural
8% of population
total
9% of population
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 0.75 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
at birth
1.04 male(s)/female
total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
under 15 years
1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.17 children born/woman (2012 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)

Government

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Colombo 6 55 N, 79 50 E UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
geographic coordinates
6 55 N, 79 50 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 Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu Shri Lanka/Ilankai Serendib, Ceylon
conventional long form
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form
Sri Lanka
former
Serendib, Ceylon
local long form
Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu
local short form
Shri Lanka/Ilankai

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michele J. SISON 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 P. O. Box 106, Colombo [94] (11) 249-8500 [94] (11) 243-7345
chief of mission
Ambassador Michele J. SISON
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, eligible for a second term; 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, eligible for a second term; 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, 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

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 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]
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

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, but there have not been any incidents in Sri Lanka since May 2009 Buddhist clergy; labor unions; hard-line nationalist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups
other
Buddhist clergy; labor unions; hard-line nationalist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$8.234 billion $12.39 billion (2012 est.)
expenditures
$12.39 billion (2012 est.)
revenues
$8.234 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (19 December 2012 est.) 7% (31 December 2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 9.41% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.737 billion (2012 est.) -$4.638 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$22.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.66 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

49 (2010) 46 (1995)

Economy - overview

Sri Lanka continues to experience strong economic growth following the end of the 26-year conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ellam (LTTE). The government has been pursuing large-scale reconstruction and development projects supplemented with private investment 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 economic reforms in recent years in line with IMF recommendations have helped bring down the government's fiscal deficit. 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 strongly with the end of the war and an IMF agreement, resulting in three straight years of high growth in 2010-12. Per capita income of $6,100 on a purchasing power parity basis is among the highest in the region.

Exchange rates

Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 127.3 (2012 est.) 110.57 (2011 est.) 113.06 (2010 est.) 114.95 (2009) 108.33 (2008)

Exports

$10.51 billion (2012 est.) $10.54 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 19.8%, UK 9.2%, India 6.5%, Italy 5%, Germany 5%, Belgium 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

12% 30.1% 57.9% (2012 est.)
agriculture
12%
industry
30.1%
services
57.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,100 (2012 est.) $5,800 (2011 est.) $5,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.8% (2012 est.) 8.3% (2011 est.) 7.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$59.77 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$126.2 billion (2012 est.) $118.2 billion (2011 est.) $109.2 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.7% 36.8% (2009)
highest 10%
36.8% (2009)
lowest 10%
1.7%

Imports

$19.76 billion (2012 est.) $20.27 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 25.6%, China 15.9%, Singapore 7.1%, Iran 6.2%, Japan 5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

8.4% (2012 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.5% (November 2012) 7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

27.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

8.194 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

31.8% 25.8% 42.4% (June 2012)
agriculture
31.8%
industry
25.8%
services
42.4% (June 2012)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$19.44 billion (31 December 2011) $19.92 billion (31 December 2010) $8.133 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

8.9% (2010 est.)

Public debt

79% of GDP (2012 est.) 79% of GDP (2011 est.) 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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$21.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $18.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$24.42 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $24.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.834 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.852 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

13.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.1% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

14.09 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

41,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

9.268 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

47.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

52.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.088 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

10.71 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

48,140 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

50,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Communications

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)

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

3.608 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

18.319 million (2011)

Transportation

Airports

18 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2012)
1,524 to 2,437 m
6
914 to 1,523 m
7 (2012)
over 3,047 m
1
total
14

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2012)
914 to 1,523 m
1
total
4
under 914 m
3 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 13, chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 8 (Germany 8) (2010)
foreign-owned
8 (Germany 8) (2010)
total
21

Ports and terminals

Colombo

Railways

1,449 km 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007)
total
1,449 km

Roadways

91,907 km (2008)
total
91,907 km (2008)

Waterways

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2012)

Military and Security

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

18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

at least 115,000 (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)
IDPs
at least 115,000 (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)

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