Sri Lanka officially the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country in
South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off the southern
coast of India. It is home to around twenty million people.
Because of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka
is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia It
has been a center of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient
times. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population;
Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island,
form the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Moo
rs,
Burghers, Kaffirs and the Malays.
The country is famous for the production and export of tea, coffee,
coconuts and rubber. The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical
forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural
heritage, make it a world famous tourist destination.
After over two thousand years of rule by local kingdoms, parts of
Sri Lanka were colonized by Portugal and the Netherlands beginning
in the 16th century, before control of the entire country was ceded
to the British Empire in 1815. During World War II,
Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight
against the Japanese Empire. A nationalist political movement arose
in the country in the early 20th century with the aim of obtaining
political independence, which was eventually granted by the British
after peaceful negotiations in 1948.
Capital Sri
Jayewardenepura Kotte, but Colombo is the commercial capital
Government Republic
Currency Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Area total: 65,610 km2
water: 870 km2
land: 64,740 km2
Population 20,064,776 (July 2006 est.)
Language Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil
(official and national language) 18%, other 8%
note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken
competently by about 10% of the population
Religion Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Muslim 8% (1999)
Electricity 230V/50Hz (British BS 1363 type plug is most common with
fewer (older) installations of BS 546, the circular plug used in
India, being present).
Calling Code +94
Internet TLD .lk
Time Zone UTC+5:30 |
Airlines
Cities and Hotels
  
 
 
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