Sri Lanka

Broadcast media

government operates 2 television channels and a radio network; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are obtainable; 8 private TV stations and about a dozen private radio stations in operation (2008)

Internet country code

.lk

Internet hosts

8,865 (2010) country comparison to the world: 131

Internet users

1.777 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 77

Telephone system

general assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.579 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 44

Telephones - mobile cellular

17.359 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 49

Agriculture - products

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish

Budget

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

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.)

Current account balance

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

Debt - external

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

Distribution of family income - Gini index

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

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.

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.)

Electricity - production

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

Exchange rates

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

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)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$49.68 billion (2010 est.)

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 - composition by sector

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $4,600 (2009 est.) $4,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

9.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 3.8% (2009 est.) 6% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

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)

Industrial production growth rate

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

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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

Investment (gross fixed)

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

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.)

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)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Natural gas - exports

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

Natural gas - production

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

Natural gas - proved reserves

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

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: 200

Oil - imports

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

Oil - production

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

Oil - proved reserves

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

Population below poverty line

23% (2008 est.)

Public debt

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

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.)

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 direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

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

Taxes and other revenues

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

Unemployment rate

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

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

Climate

tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)

Coastline

1,340 km

Elevation extremes

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

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

Irrigated land

5,700 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

Location

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

Map references

Asia

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

Natural hazards

occasional cyclones and tornadoes

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Total renewable water resources

50 cu km (1999)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western

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)

Constitution

adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended 20 December 2001

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

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

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

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 theWorld 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%

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

Government type

republic

Independence

4 February 1948 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Legal system

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

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

National anthem

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 February (1948)

National symbol(s)

lion

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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 more than 75 percent of internally displaced persons and has undertaken a number of massive infrastructure projects to reconstruct its economy.

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 branches

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

Military expenditures

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

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (2010)

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.)

Birth rate

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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

Death rate

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

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)

Education expenditures

NA

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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

HIV/AIDS - deaths

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

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

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

Health expenditures

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

Hospital bed density

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

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.)

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.73 years country comparison to the world: 81 male: 72.21 years female: 79.38 years (2011 est.)

Literacy

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

Major cities - population

COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)

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)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

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

Nationality

noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan

Net migration rate

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

Physicians density

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

Population

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

Population growth rate

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

Religions

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

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)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

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.)

Total fertility rate

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

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

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

Urbanization

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

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)

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)

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

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