2013 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 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.

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)

12.95 cu km/yr (6%/6%/87%) 638.8 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

638.8 cu m/yr (2005)

total

12.95 cu km/yr (6%/6%/87%)

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

18.29% 14.94% 66.77% (2011)

arable land

18.29%

other

66.77% (2011)

permanent crops

14.94%

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

52.8 cu km (2011)

Age structure

24.8% (male 2,741,879/female 2,632,613) 15.1% (male 1,659,566/female 1,615,616) 42.4% (male 4,484,738/female 4,697,355) 9.3% (male 939,174/female 1,084,108) 8.4% (male 778,629/female 1,041,970) (2013 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

16.64 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.6% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

68% (2006/07)

Death rate

6.01 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

50.7 % 37.9 % 12.8 % 7.8 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

12.8 %

potential support ratio

7.8 (2013)

total dependency ratio

50.7 %

youth dependency ratio

37.9 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 90% of population total: 91% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 10% of population total: 9% of population (2010 est.)

rural

10% of population

total

9% of population (2010 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

2% of GDP (2010)

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

3.4% of GDP (2011)

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

9.24 deaths/1,000 live births 10.21 deaths/1,000 live births 8.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

8.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

9.24 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

76.15 years 72.64 years 79.79 years (2013 est.)

female

79.79 years (2013 est.)

total population

76.15 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 infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever leptospirosis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

vectorborne disease

dengue fever

water contact disease

leptospirosis

Major urban areas - population

COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

31.4 years 30.3 years 32.5 years (2013 est.)

female

32.5 years (2013 est.)

male

30.3 years

total

31.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2000 est.)

Nationality

Sri Lankan(s) Sri Lankan

adjective

Sri Lankan

noun

Sri Lankan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.1% (2008)

Physicians density

0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

21,675,648 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

0.89% (2013 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: 93% of population total: 92% of population urban: 12% of population rural: 7% of population total: 8% of population (2010 est.)

rural

7% of population

total

8% of population (2010 est.)

urban

12% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2011)

female

14 years (2011)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

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

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.15 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

19.4% 16.3% 24.7% (2010)

female

24.7% (2010)

total

19.4%

Urbanization

15.1% of total population (2011) 1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

15.1% of total population (2011)

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

several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended many times, last in 2010 (2010)

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 (since 29 September 2012); note - also accredited to Maldives 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 (since 29 September 2012); note - also accredited to Maldives

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 (since 18 July 2008) 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 (since 18 July 2008)

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 Percy RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda Percy 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 Percy RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda Percy 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 of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation 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 Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrate's Courts; municipal and primary courts

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

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 1.34%; 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 1.34%; 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

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

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

$7.868 billion $11.7 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$11.7 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$7.868 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.28% (31 December 2012 est.) 9.41% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-3.931 billion (2012 est.) $-4.675 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$26.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $23.98 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 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.

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)

Exports

$9.774 billion (2012 est.) $10.56 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 20.4%, UK 9.9%, India 5.8%, Italy 4.7%, Belgium 4.3%, Germany 4.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

69.6% 13.5% 28.9% 1.8% 22.8% -36.5% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

22.8%

government consumption

13.5%

household consumption

69.6%

imports of goods and services

-36.5%

investment in fixed capital

28.9%

investment in inventories

1.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

11.1% 31.5% 57.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

11.1%

industry

31.5%

services

57.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,000 (2012 est.) $5,700 (2011 est.) $5,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.4% (2012 est.) 8.2% (2011 est.) 8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$58.6 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$124.9 billion (2012 est.) $117.4 billion (2011 est.) $108.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

24% of GDP (2012 est.) 22.1% of GDP (2011 est.) 25.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.6% 39.5% (2009)

highest 10%

39.5% (2009)

lowest 10%

1.6%

Imports

$17.18 billion (2012 est.) $18.24 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 22.7%, Singapore 8.8%, UAE 7.7%, China 7%, Iran 6.1%, Malaysia 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

10.3% (2012 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)

7.5% (2012 est.) 6.7% (2011 est.)

Labor force

8.465 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

$16.92 billion (31 December 2012) $19.44 billion (31 December 2011) $19.92 billion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

8.9% (2010 est.)

Public debt

79.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 78.4% 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

$7.105 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.748 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

$28.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $26.53 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.852 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

13.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

13.1 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

36,380 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

10 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

53.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

44.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.685 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

11.52 billion kWh (2011 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 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

44,270 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

35,440 bbl/day (2010 est.)

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) (2011)

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

2.796 million (2013)

Telephones - mobile cellular

19.533 million (2013)

Airports

19 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

7 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

7 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

15

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

4

Heliports

1 (2013)

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

114,093 km 16,977 km 97,116 km (2010)

total

114,093 km

unpaved

97,116 km (2010)

Waterways

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

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 (2013)

Military expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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)

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)

Trafficking in persons

Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; some Sri Lankan adults and children who migrate willingly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Malaysia, and Singapore to work as domestic servants, construction workers, or garment factory workers face conditions indicative of forced labor; some Sri Lankan women are forced into prostitution in Jordan, Singapore, Maldives, and other countries; within Sri Lanka, women and children are subjected to sex trafficking in brothels, while other children are forced to work in the agriculture, fireworks, and fish-drying industries Tier 2 Watch List - Sri Lanka does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement efforts and victim protection, particularly identification, are very weak, with no reported prosecutions or convictions under the country's penal code article prohibiting human trafficking; government employees' complicity in trafficking offenses remains a problem; the government has not approved its draft standard operating procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them to protective services, consequently, victims may have been punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; the government adopted an anti-trafficking action plan in 2012 (2013)

current situation

Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; some Sri Lankan adults and children who migrate willingly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Malaysia, and Singapore to work as domestic servants, construction workers, or garment factory workers face conditions indicative of forced labor; some Sri Lankan women are forced into prostitution in Jordan, Singapore, Maldives, and other countries; within Sri Lanka, women and children are subjected to sex trafficking in brothels, while other children are forced to work in the agriculture, fireworks, and fish-drying industries

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Sri Lanka does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement efforts and victim protection, particularly identification, are very weak, with no reported prosecutions or convictions under the country's penal code article prohibiting human trafficking; government employees' complicity in trafficking offenses remains a problem; the government has not approved its draft standard operating procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them to protective services, consequently, victims may have been punished for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; the government adopted an anti-trafficking action plan in 2012 (2013)