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Facts
of Sri Lanka
|
| Country
Name |
Conventional long form:
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
former: Ceylon |
| Size |
65,525 sq km |
| Capital |
Sri Jayawardenepura |
| Commercial
Capital |
Colombo |
| Government |
Sri Lanka, is a free,
independent and sovereign nation with a population of 18.774 million
(1998 mid year estimates). Legislative power is exercised by a Parliament,
elected by universal franchise on proportional representation basis.
A President, who is also elected by the people, exercises executive
power inclusive of defense. Sri Lanka enjoys a multi party system,
and the people vote to elect a new government every six years. |
| National
Flag |
National Flag of Sri Lanka is the
Lion Flag. A Lion bearing a sword in its right hand is depicted
in gold on red background with a yellow border. Four Bo leaves pointing
inwards are at the four corners. Two vertical bands of green and
orange at the mast end represent the minority ethnic groups. It
is an adaptation of the standard of the last King of Sri Lanka.
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| National
Anthem |
"Sri Lanka Matha"
composed by late Mr. Ananda Samarakoon. |
| National
Flower |
| the Blue Water Lily
(Nymphaea stellata) is the National Flower. |
 |
|
| Population |
19 million |
| Population
density |
309 people per sq km |
| Life
expectancy at birth |
74 female, 64 male |
| Literacy
rate |
91.8% |
| Languages |
Sinhala & Tamil English
is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote
villages. |
| Ethnic
mix |
Sihalese- 74 per cent;
Tamil- 18 per cent; Muslim -7 per cent; Burgher (descendants of Dutch
and Portuguese colonist) and others- 1 per cent |
| Religion |
Buddhism- 70 per cent;
Hinduism- 16 per cent; Christianity- 7 per cent; Islam-7 per cent |
| Climate |
Low Lands – tropical,
average 270C
Central Hills – cooler, with temperatures dropping to 140C. The
south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central
regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon occurs in
the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka has a good climate
for holiday-makers throughout the year. |
| Annual
per capita GNP |
US$870 |
| Industries |
Processing of rubber,
tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement,
petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco. |
| Agriculture
- Products |
Rice, sugarcane, grains,
pulses, oilseed, roots, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs,
hides, meat. |
| Currency |
Sri Lanka follows decimal
currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal
to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs.
2,10,20,50,100,200, 500 and 1000. Coins are issued in values of Cts.1,2,5,10,
25 and 50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously
will be the US Dollar. |
| Visa |
Residents from countries
are issued visas on arrival. Consult your local Sri Lanka embassy,
consulate, tourist office or your travel agent.
|
| Working
week |
Sri Lanka works a five-day
week, from Monday to Friday. |
| Business
hours |
Government offices 9.00
a.m. -5.00 p.m, Monday to Friday |
| Banks |
9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
or 3.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday |
| Post
office |
8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.,
Monday to Friday
8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. on Saturday. The Central Mail Exchange,
at D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, (Telephone : 326203) is open
24-hours. |
| Location |
An island off the
south-eastern cost shores of India, 880 km north of the equator,
in the Indian Ocean
.
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Facts