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Country Name
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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 |
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 including 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 boasts of a good climate for holiday-makers throughout
the year. |
| 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.
(Refer page 48) |
| 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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