2017 Edition

Background

The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (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 Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century and 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. Prevailing 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. Both the LTTE and the government unofficially abrogated the ceasefire and violence between the LTTE and government forces intensified in 2006, but the government regained control of the Eastern Province in 2007. The government officially withdrew from the cease-fire agreement in January 2008 and by May 2009, the remnants of the LTTE had been defeated. 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 at reconstructing its economy, the government has resettled more than 95% of those civilians displaced during the final phase of the conflict and released the vast majority of former LTTE combatants captured by Government Security Forces. Slow progress continues 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 and other abuses during the conflict.

Area

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

land

64,630 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

228 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

mean elevation

228 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

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes; Adam's Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka; geological evidence suggests that this 50-km long bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka; ancient records seem to indicate that a foot passage was possible between the two land masses until the 15th century when the land bridge broke up in a cyclone

Irrigated land

5,700 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

43.5% arable land 20.7%; permanent crops 15.8%; permanent pasture 7% 29.4% 27.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

43.5%

forest

29.4%

other

27.1% (2011 est.)

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, arable land

Population - distribution

the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north

Terrain

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

Age structure

24.06% (male 2,750,004/female 2,642,606) 14.63% (male 1,666,859/female 1,611,379) 41.58% (male 4,571,200/female 4,747,119) 10.06% (male 1,043,199/female 1,210,930) 9.67% (male 917,014/female 1,249,071) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

24.06% (male 2,750,004/female 2,642,606)

15-24 years

14.63% (male 1,666,859/female 1,611,379)

25-54 years

41.58% (male 4,571,200/female 4,747,119)

55-64 years

10.06% (male 1,043,199/female 1,210,930)

65 years and over

9.67% (male 917,014/female 1,249,071) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

26.3% (2012)

Death rate

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

51.2 37.2 14.1 7.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

14.1

potential support ratio

7.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

51.2

youth dependency ratio

37.2

Drinking water source

urban: 98.5% of population rural: 95% of population total: 95.6% of population urban: 1.5% of population rural: 5% of population total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

5% of population

total

4.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.5% of population

Education expenditures

2.2% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups

Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)

Health expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

8.4 deaths/1,000 live births 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

9.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (official and 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

note

English, spoken competently by about 10% of the population, is commonly used in government and is referred to as the link language in the constitution

Life expectancy at birth

76.9 years 73.5 years 80.6 years (2017 est.)

female

80.6 years (2017 est.)

male

73.5 years

total population

76.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 92.6% 93.6% 91.7% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.7% (2015 est.)

male

93.6%

total population

92.6%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A dengue fever leptospirosis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) 128,000 (2014); COLOMBO (capital) 707,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

30 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

32.8 years 31.5 years 34 years (2017 est.)

female

34 years (2017 est.)

male

31.5 years

total

32.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

25.4 years median age at first birth among women 30-34 (2006/07 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 30-34 (2006/07 est.)

Nationality

Sri Lankan(s) Sri Lankan

adjective

Sri Lankan

noun

Sri Lankan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.2% (2016)

Physicians density

0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

22,409,381 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north

Population growth rate

0.76% (2017 est.)

Religions

Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 88.1% of population rural: 96.7% of population total: 95.1% of population urban: 11.9% of population rural: 3.3% of population total: 4.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

3.3% of population

total

4.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

11.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 14 years (2013)

female

14 years (2013)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.07 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20.7% 16.5% 27.3% (2015 est.)

female

27.3% (2015 est.)

male

16.5%

total

20.7%

Urbanization

18.5% of total population (2017) 1.11% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.11% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

18.5% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (administrative capital) 6 55 N, 79 50 E UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 79 50 E

name

Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (administrative capital)

time difference

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

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka

dual citizenship recognized

no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978 proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and approval in a referendum by an absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2015; note - in September 2017, the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly released its interim report on constitutional reforms (2017)

amendments

proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and approval in a referendum by an absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2015; note - in September 2017, the Steering Committee of the Constitutional Assembly released its interim report on constitutional reforms (2017)

history

several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978

Country name

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu Shri Lanka/Ilankai Serendib, Ceylon the name means "resplendent island" in Sanskrit

conventional long form

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

conventional short form

Sri Lanka

etymology

the name means "resplendent island" in Sanskrit

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 Atul KESHAP (since 21 August 2015); 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 Atul KESHAP (since 21 August 2015); 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 Prasad KARIYAWASAM (since 14 July 2014) 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 [1] (202) 232-7181 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Prasad KARIYAWASAM (since 14 July 2014)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 232-7181

telephone

[1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028

Executive branch

President Maithripala SIRISENA (since 9 January 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 9 January 2015) holds the title of prime minister President Maithripala SIRISENA (since 9 January 2015) Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 January 2015 (next to be held by January 2020); note - the January 2015 election was held nearly 2 years ahead of schedule Maithripala SIRISENA elected president; percent of vote - Maithripala SIRISENA (SLFP) 51.3%, Mahinda RAJAPAKSA (SLFP) 47.6%, other 1.1%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister

chief of state

President Maithripala SIRISENA (since 9 January 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 9 January 2015) holds the title of prime minister

election results

Maithripala SIRISENA elected president; percent of vote - Maithripala SIRISENA (SLFP) 51.3%, Mahinda RAJAPAKSA (SLFP) 47.6%, other 1.1%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 January 2015 (next to be held by January 2020); note - the January 2015 election was held nearly 2 years ahead of schedule

head of government

President Maithripala SIRISENA (since 9 January 2015)

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 maroon 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 Sri Lankan Moors, and maroon the Sinhalese majority; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag

Government type

presidential 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, CICA (observer), 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 9 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65 Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 9 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation

judge selection and term of office

chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' 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; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats allocated to other political parties and groups in proportion to share of national vote; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 17 August 2015 following President SIRISENA's dissolution of Parliament in late June 2015 in an effort to consolidate power and pass reforms (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by coalition/party - EYJP 45.7%, UPFA 42.4%, JVP 4.9%, TNA 4.6%, SLMC 0.4%, EPDP 0.3% other 1.7%; seats by coalition/party EYJP 106, UPFA 95, TNA 16, JVP 6, SLMC 1, EPDP 1

description

unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats allocated to other political parties and groups in proportion to share of national vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by coalition/party - EYJP 45.7%, UPFA 42.4%, JVP 4.9%, TNA 4.6%, SLMC 0.4%, EPDP 0.3% other 1.7%; seats by coalition/party EYJP 106, UPFA 95, TNA 16, JVP 6, SLMC 1, EPDP 1

elections

last held on 17 August 2015 following President SIRISENA's dissolution of Parliament in late June 2015 in an effort to consolidate power and pass reforms (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

Ananda SAMARKONE

name

"Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)

note

adopted 1951

National holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)

National symbol(s)

lion, water lily; national colors: maroon, yellow

lion, water lily; national colors

maroon, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA] Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE] Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU [Karunarathna PARANAWITHANA and Ven Hadigalle WIMALASARA THERO] New Democratic Front or NDF [Shalila MOONESINGHE] Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Maithripala SIRISENA] Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM] Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Rajavarothiam SAMPANTHAN] (alliance includes Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN], Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Mavai SENATHIRAJAH], People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam [D. SIDDARTHAN], Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN]) United National Front for Good Governance or EYJP [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] (coalition includes JHU, UNP) United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] United People's Freedom Alliance or UPFA [Maithripala SIRISENA] (coalition includes SLFP)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Buddhist clergy Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups diaspora groups labor unions; hardline nationalist Sinhalese groups, such as the National Movement Against Terrorism

other

labor unions; hardline nationalist Sinhalese groups, such as the National Movement Against Terrorism

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

$12.64 billion $16.66 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures

$16.66 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

$12.64 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (30 September 2016) 6% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.8% (31 December 2017 est.) 10.49% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.094 billion (2017 est.) -$1.942 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$47.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $45.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

49 (2010) 46 (1995)

Economy - overview

Sri Lanka is attempting to sustain economic growth while maintaining macroeconomic stability under an IMF program. The government's high debt payments and bloated civil service cadre, which have contributed to historically high budget deficits and low tax revenues, remain a concern. Government debt is almost 80% of GDP and remains among the highest of the emerging markets. The new government in 2015 drastically increased wages for public sector employees, which boosted demand for consumer goods but hurt the overall balance of payments and reduced foreign exchange reserves. Tourism has experienced strong growth during recent years following the resolution of the government's 26-year conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The government has been pursuing large-scale reconstruction and development projects in its efforts to spur growth.

Exchange rates

Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 154.1 (2017 est.) 145.58 (2016 est.) 145.58 (2015 est.) 135.86 (2014 est.) 130.57 (2013 est.)

Exports

$10.93 billion (2017 est.) $10.31 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 27.3%, UK 10.2%, India 7.3%, Germany 5%, Italy 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

67.9% 8.6% 28.9% 3.3% 21.3% -30% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services

21.3%

government consumption

8.6%

household consumption

67.9%

imports of goods and services

-30% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

28.9%

investment in inventories

3.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.8% 30.5% 61.7% (2017 est.)

agriculture

7.8%

industry

30.5%

services

61.7% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,000 (2017 est.) $12,500 (2016 est.) $12,100 (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.7% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) 4.8% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$83.57 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$278.2 billion (2017 est.) $265.6 billion (2016 est.) $254.5 billion (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gross national saving

29.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 29% of GDP (2016 est.) 26.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.6% 39.5% (2009)

highest 10%

39.5% (2009)

lowest 10%

1.6%

Imports

$21.14 billion (2017 est.) $19.4 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 21.7%, China 12.1%, UAE 6.1%, Singapore 5.9%, Japan 5.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

5.4% (2017 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)

6% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.)

Labor force

8.937 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

28.4% 25.7% 45.9% (30 Jun 2015)

agriculture

28.4%

industry

25.7%

services

45.9% (30 Jun 2015)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$20.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $23.67 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $18.81 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

6.7% (2012 est.)

Public debt

79.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 79.3% of GDP (2016 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

note

covers central government debt, and excludes debt instruments directly owned by government entities other than the treasury (e.g. commercial bank borrowings of a government corporation); the data includes treasury debt held by foreign entities as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement; sub-national entities are usually not permitted to sell debt instruments

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.632 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.019 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money

$36.83 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $32.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$51.72 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $46.21 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.213 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $5.184 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

16 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

36,480 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

11.72 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

55.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

41.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.056 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

12.64 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

1,334,100 94% 99% 93% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

93% (2013)

electrification - total population

94%

electrification - urban areas

99%

population without electricity

1,334,100

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

103,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

472.9 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

60,840 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

35,650 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

government operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations (2017)

Internet country code

.lk

Internet users

7,126,540 32.1% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

32.1% (July 2016 est.)

total

7,126,540

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) (2016)

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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

2,479,802 11 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

11 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

2,479,802

Telephones - mobile cellular

25,797,199 116 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

116 (July 2016 est.)

total

25,797,199

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

under 914 m

3 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

4R (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 8, container ship 1, general cargo 9, oil tanker 10, other 54 (2017)

by type

bulk carrier 8, container ship 1, general cargo 9, oil tanker 10, other 54 (2017)

total

82

National air transport system

4,911,730 381,381,300 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

381,381,300 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,911,730

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

25

number of registered air carriers

3

Ports and terminals

Colombo Colombo (3,651,963)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Colombo (3,651,963)

major seaport(s)

Colombo

Railways

1,447 km 1,447 km 1.676-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge

1,447 km 1.676-m gauge (2014)

total

1,447 km

Roadways

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

paved

16,977 km

total

114,093 km

unpaved

97,116 km (2010)

Waterways

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

Military branches

Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard (2016)

Military expenditures

2.44% of GDP (2016) 2.55% of GDP (2015) 2.41% of GDP (2014) 2.15% of GDP (2013) 2.16% 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

44,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 480,000 IDPs registered as returnees have not reached durable solutions) (2016)

IDPs

44,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 480,000 IDPs registered as returnees have not reached durable solutions) (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a 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 the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Afghanistan to work in the construction, garment, and domestic service sectors are subsequently subjected to forced labor or debt bondage (incurred through high recruitment fees or money advances); some Sri Lankan women are forced into prostitution in Jordan, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries; within Sri Lanka, women and children are subjected to sex trafficking, and children are also forced to beg and work in the agriculture, fireworks, and fish-drying industries; a small number of women from Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have been forced into prostitution in Sri Lanka in recent years 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; in 2014, Sri Lanka was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; law enforcement continues to demonstrate a lack of understanding of trafficking crimes and inadequate investigations, relying on trafficking cases to be prosecuted under the procurement statute rather than the trafficking statute, which carries more stringent penalties; authorities convicted only one offender under the procurement statute, a decrease from 2013; the government approved guidelines for the identification of victims and their referral to protective services but failed to ensure that victims were not jailed and charged for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; no government employees were investigated or prosecuted, despite allegations of complicity (2015)

current situation

Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a 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 the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Afghanistan to work in the construction, garment, and domestic service sectors are subsequently subjected to forced labor or debt bondage (incurred through high recruitment fees or money advances); some Sri Lankan women are forced into prostitution in Jordan, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries; within Sri Lanka, women and children are subjected to sex trafficking, and children are also forced to beg and work in the agriculture, fireworks, and fish-drying industries; a small number of women from Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East have been forced into prostitution in Sri Lanka in recent years

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; in 2014, Sri Lanka was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; law enforcement continues to demonstrate a lack of understanding of trafficking crimes and inadequate investigations, relying on trafficking cases to be prosecuted under the procurement statute rather than the trafficking statute, which carries more stringent penalties; authorities convicted only one offender under the procurement statute, a decrease from 2013; the government approved guidelines for the identification of victims and their referral to protective services but failed to ensure that victims were not jailed and charged for crimes committed as a direct result of being trafficked; no government employees were investigated or prosecuted, despite allegations of complicity (2015)

Terrorist groups - home based

aim(s): revive the movement to establish a Tamil homeland area(s) of operation: sustains efforts primarily in the east to revive the movement and, occasionally, to plot attacks; despite LTTE's military defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan Government in 2009, LTTE remains capable of raising funds, mostly from the global Tamil diaspora; members remain operational, such as the LTTE operatives who were arrested in India in 2014 for plotting imminent attacks; authorities continue in 2017 to pursue leaders, operatives, and supporters for arrest; prior to its 2009 defeat, LTTE employed an integrated battlefield insurgent strategy targeting Sri Lanka's key installations and senior political and military leaders; since LTTE began its armed campaign in Sri Lanka in 1983, clashes between government forces and LTTE have resulted in an estimated 300,000 internally displaced persons, a million Tamils leaving the country, and 100,000 deaths, including an estimated 200 Tamil political leaders that LTTE has assassinated over the years

aim(s)

revive the movement to establish a Tamil homeland

area(s) of operation

sustains efforts primarily in the east to revive the movement and, occasionally, to plot attacks; despite LTTE's military defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan Government in 2009, LTTE remains capable of raising funds, mostly from the global Tamil diaspora; members remain operational, such as the LTTE operatives who were arrested in India in 2014 for plotting imminent attacks; authorities continue in 2017 to pursue leaders, operatives, and supporters for arrest; prior to its 2009 defeat, LTTE employed an integrated battlefield insurgent strategy targeting Sri Lanka's key installations and senior political and military leaders; since LTTE began its armed campaign in Sri Lanka in 1983, clashes between government forces and LTTE have resulted in an estimated 300,000 internally displaced persons, a million Tamils leaving the country, and 100,000 deaths, including an estimated 200 Tamil political leaders that LTTE has assassinated over the years