Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

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 resettled tens of thousands of internally displaced persons and has undertaken a number of massive infrastructure projects to reconstruct its economy.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Map references

Asia

Area

total: 65,610 sq km
country comparison to the world: 122 land:64,630 sq km
water:980 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

1,340 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical monsoon

northeast monsoon (December to March)

southwest monsoon (June to October)

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plain

mountains in south-central interior

Elevation extremes

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

Natural resources

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

Land use

arable land: 13.96%
permanent crops:15.24%
other:70.8% (2005)

Irrigated land

5,700 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

50 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 12.61cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%)
per capita:608cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Environment – current issues

deforestation

soil erosion

wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization

coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution

freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff

waste disposal

air pollution in Colombo

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Sri Lankan(s)
adjective:Sri Lankan

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)

Languages

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

Religions

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

Population

21,283,913 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.9% (male 2,705,953/female 2,599,717)
15-64 years:67.2% (male 6,993,668/female 7,313,440)
65 years and over:7.9% (male 720,219/female 950,916) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30.8 years
male:29.7 years
female:31.8 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.934% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Birth rate

17.42 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

Death rate

5.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Net migration rate

-2.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Urbanization

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

Major cities – population

COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.86 male(s)/female
total population:0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

39 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 103

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 149 male:10.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female:8.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.73 years
country comparison to the world: 82 male:72.21 years
female:79.38 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.2 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Health expenditures

4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 162

Physicians density

0.492 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 124

Hospital bed density

3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 71

Drinking water source

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

Sanitation facility access

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

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

2,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne disease:dengue fever and chikungunya
water contact disease:leptospirosis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.1% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 30

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:90.7%
male:92.3%
female:89.1% (2001 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2004)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 21.3%
country comparison to the world: 49 male:17.1%
female:27.9% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form:Sri Lanka
local long form:Shri Lamka Prajatantrika Samajaya di Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu
local short form:Shri Lamka/Ilankai
former:Serendib, Ceylon

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Colombo
geographic coordinates:6 56 N, 79 51 E
time difference:UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note:Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces

Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western

Independence

4 February 1948 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

Constitution

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978

amended 20 December 2001

Legal system

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

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)
head of government:President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (two-term limit)

election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:Mahinda RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term

percent of vote – Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%

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)
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)
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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders

Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE]

Tamil National Alliance led by Illandai Tamil Arasu Kachchi [R. SAMPANTHAN]

United National Front led by United National Party [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE]

United People’s Freedom Alliance led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]

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;
other:Buddhist clergy

labor unions

radical chauvinist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism

Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups

International organization participation

ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA
chancery:2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX:[1] (202) 232-7181
consulate(s) general:Los Angeles
consulate(s):New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia A. BUTENIS
embassy:210 Galle Road, Colombo 3
mailing address:P. O. Box 106, Colombo
telephone:[94] (11) 249-8500
FAX:[94] (11) 243-7345

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

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Sri Lanka Matha” (Mother Sri Lanka)
lyrics/music:Ananda SAMARKONE
note:adopted 1951

Economy

Economy – overview

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

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$106.5 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69 $97.6 billion (2009 est.)
$94.02 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$49.68 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

9.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8 3.8% (2009 est.)
6% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148 $4,600 (2009 est.)
$4,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 12.8%
industry:29.4%
services:57.8% (2010 est.)

Labor force

8.074 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 32.7%
industry:26.3%
services:41% (December 2008 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 5.7% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%:32.9% (2007)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

40.3 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 61 46 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51

Budget

revenues: $7.386 billion
expenditures:$11.32 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185

Public debt

81.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19 86.1% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162 3.4% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14 15% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.22% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 15.67% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.579 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103 $2.871 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$19.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83 $16.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$20.44 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80 $16.72 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$19.92 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 71 $8.133 billion (31 December 2009)
$4.326 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts

milk, eggs, hides, beef

fish

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

Industrial production growth rate

8.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Electricity – production

8.893 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity – consumption

7.885 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

637 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107

Oil – consumption

92,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Oil – imports

84,730 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121

Current account balance

-$1.691 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 -$291 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$8.307 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 $7.085 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

textiles and apparel, tea and spices

rubber manufactures

precious stones

coconut products, fish

Exports – partners

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

Imports

$12.16 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84 $9.186 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.197 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 $5.358 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$19.78 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75 $17.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

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

Transportation

Airports

18 (2010)
country comparison to the world:140

Airports – with paved runways

total: 14
over 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:6
914 to 1,523 m:7 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 4
914 to 1,523 m:1
under 914 m:3 (2010)

Railways

total: 1,449 km
country comparison to the world: 80 broad gauge:1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 91,907 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 52

Waterways

160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 101

Merchant marine

total: 22
country comparison to the world: 98 by type:bulk carrier 4, cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3
foreign-owned:5 (Germany 5) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Colombo

Military

Military branches

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

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

5-year service obligation (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 5,342,147
females age 16-49:5,466,409 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 4,177,432
females age 16-49:4,574,833 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 167,026
female:162,587 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 56

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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