Paradise is still the most commonly used word to describe Sri Lanka – a lush, tropical island of golden beaches and brilliant blue waters. We are famed for the amazing diversity of our culture, the natural beauty of the landscape and a complex history stretching back to 543 BC. Visitors planning a Sri Lanka travel adventure can choose between a variety of activities from lazing on the beach to diving in coral reefs and observing the wildlife to exploring ancient temples and ruins. Travel to Sri Lanka and experience an enchanting journey of discovery full of memories that will last a lifetime.
Country Name & BASIC DETAILS
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
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 left end represent the minority ethnic groups. It is an adaptation of the standard of the last King of Sri Lanka.
National Flower
The Blue Water Lily - (Nymphaea stellata)
Size
65,525 sq km
Location
An island off the south-eastern cost shores of India, 880 km north of the equator, in the Indian Ocean.
Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura
Commercial Capital
Colombo
Colombo
Sri Lanka is a free, independent and sovereign nation with a population of 20,926,315 (July 2007 est.). 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 defence. Sri Lanka enjoys a multi party system, and the people vote to elect a new government every six years.
Population
20,926,315 million
Literacy rate
91.8%
Population Density
309 people per sq km
Languages
Sinhala, Tamil and English are widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages where it might be Sinhala only or Tamil only.
Religions
Buddhism- 70 per cent; Hinduism- 16 per cent; Christianity- 7 per cent; Islam-7 per cent
Climates
Low Lands - tropical, average 27C Central Hills - cooler, with temperatures dropping to 14C. The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon is from December t0 January. Sri Lanka climate is ideal 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.10,20,50,100,200, 50, 1000 & 2000. Coins are issued in values of Cts. 25 and 50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously will be the US Dollar.
Visa
Residents from permitted countries are issued visas on arrival (visit www.immigration.gov.lk for details), however for short visit to Sri Lanka, you need to obtain an ETA with effect from 1st of January 2012. On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of The Republic of Singapore and The Republic of Maldives are exempted from the requirement of obtaining ETA to visit Sri Lanka. Consult your local Sri Lanka embassy, consulate, tourist office or your travel agent for more details or visit www.eta.gov.lk.
Working Days
Five working days (Monday to Friday)
Business Hours
Government offices 9.00 am. -5.00 pm, Monday to Friday
Banks
9.00 am. to 1.00pm. or 3.00pm Monday to Saturday
Post Office
8.30am- 5.00pm Monday to Friday 8.30am - 1.00pm on Saturday. The Central Mail Exchange, at D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, (Telephone : 2326203) is open 24-hours.