Sri Lanka at a Glance

Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time.  It is a place where culture and nature’s beauty remain abundant and unspoilt.

Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location.  Within a mere area of 65,610 kilometres lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometres of coastline – much of its pristine beach – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.

This is an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Discover, refreshingly, Sri Lanka!

Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Official Website: https://www.gov.lk/

Government Type: Republic

Location: Latitude 5° 55. to 9° 50. North, Longitude 79° 42. to 81° 52., 650 km north the equator

Dimensions: 430km North to South, 225km East to West

Coastline: 1,340km

Area: 65,525km

Currency (code): Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Independence: 4 February 1948

Administrative Capital: Sri Jayewardenepura

Commercial Capital: Colombo

Administrative Divisions: Provinces-9, Provincial secretarial Divisions-331, Provincial Councils-271, Districts-25, Municipal Councils-23, Grama Niladhari divisions- 14,021, Villages-36822

Terrain: Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Highest Mountain: Pidurutalagala, 2,524m

Number of waterfalls: 354

Highest Waterfall: Bambarakanda, 263m

Number of waterfalls: 103

National Flower: The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata).

National Parks and Nature Reserves Area: 8,000sq.km

Population: 21,128,773

Population Growth Rate: 0.75%

Population Density: 325 people per sq Km

Life Expectancy at Birth: 78.6-Female,72-Male

Literacy Rate: Female 90.8, Male 92.77

Ethnic Groups: Sinhala (74.9%), Sri Lanka Tamil (11.2%), Moor (9.3%), Indian Tamil (4.1%) (2012 census)

Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%

Note: English (a link language commonly) is used in government and spoken competently by about 10% of the population

Religion: 70.1% of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12.6% were Hindus, 9.7% were Muslims (mainly Sunni), 6.2% Roman Catholic, 1.4 other Christians and 0.05% others. (2012 Census)

Time Zone: Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.)

International Dialling: +94

Electricity: 230. Two hundred forty volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer, bring a stabiliser.

Economy: Sri Lanka’s most dynamic sectors are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, insurance and banking. In 2006, plantation crops comprised only 15% of exports (90% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for more than 60%. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% in the Middle East. They send home more than US$1 billion a year.

Labour Force: Labour population-52.3%,25.3%-Agricultural Sector,27.6%-Industry Sector,47.1%-Service Sector, Unemployment rate-4.8%

Agriculture & Products: Rice, Sugarcane, Grains, Pulses, Oilseed, Spices, Tea, Rubber, Coconuts, milk, Eggs, Hides, Beef, Fish

Industries: Processing rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities, telecommunications, insurance, banking, clothing, textiles, cement, petroleum refining.

Exports: Textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish

Imports: Main import commodities are textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment: $10.61 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.). Percentage of primary commodities from main import partners: India 19.6%, China 10.5%, Singapore 8.8%, Iran 5.7%, Malaysia 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.2%, Japan 4.1% (2006)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Purchasing power parity 50.3 LCU per international dollar (2018), Official exchange rate 162.5 LCU per US dollar (2018), Real growth rate: 2.3% (2019) Per capita $3,741, composition by sector-Agriculture-7%, Industry-26.4%, Services-57.4% (2019)

Gross National Product (GNP): Sri Lanka is placed in 76th place in GNP figures of the world’s nations with LKR.9,608 296 Million(2020)

Flag Description: Yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels

Sri Lanka, a tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. With a history dating back thousands of years, this small island has much to offer its visitors.

One of the main attractions of Sri Lanka is its diverse natural beauty. From pristine beaches to lush tea plantations and dense rainforests to majestic mountains, the country offers a wide range of landscapes to explore. The golden sandy beaches along the coast are perfect for sunbathing and water sports, while the hill country, with its cool climate, provides a refreshing escape from the heat.

For those interested in history and culture, Sri Lanka has a wealth of ancient sites and temples to discover. The UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura showcase the country’s rich historical past and architectural marvels. The sacred city of Kandy, with its famous Temple of the Tooth Relic, is a must-visit for spiritual seekers.

Sri Lanka is also renowned for its wildlife. The country has several national parks and reserves, where visitors can spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and various bird species. Yala National Park, Wilpattu National Park, and Udawalawe National Park are popular destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.

We have written a blog post about Yala National Park for those who are interested, the link follows immediately,

https://pantheratravels.com/yala-safari/

When it comes to food, Sri Lanka offers a unique culinary experience. The cuisine is a fusion of flavours influenced by Indian, Malay, and Dutch cuisines. From spicy curries to mouthwatering seafood, Sri Lankan cuisine will tantalise your taste buds.

Overall, Sri Lanka is a captivating destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, this island paradise has it all.