Conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Conventional short form: Sri Lanka
Former: Ceylon

65,525 sq km

Colombo

Sri Lanka, is a free, independent and sovereign nation. 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 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.

Sri Lanka Matha" composed by late Mr. Ananda Samarakoon.

The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) is the National Flower.

18.774 million (1998 mid year estimate)

309 people per sq km

74 female, 64 male

91.8%

Sinhala & Tamil, English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages.

Sinhalese- 74 per cent; Tamil- 18 per cent; Muslim -7 per cent; Burgher (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonist) and others- 1 per cent

Buddhism- 70 per cent; Hinduism- 16 per cent; Christianity- 7 per cent; Islam-7 per cent

Low Lands – tropical, average 27 C
Central Hills – cooler, with temperatures dropping to 14 C. 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.

US$ 870

Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco.

Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, roots, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, meat.

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.

Residents from foreign countries are issued visas on arrival. Consult your local Sri Lanka embassy, consulate, tourist office or your travel agent.

Sri Lanka works a five-day week, from Monday to Friday.

Government offices 9.00 a.m. -5.00 p.m Monday to Friday

9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. or 3.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday

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.

An island off the south-eastern coast shores of India, 880 km north of the equator, in the Indian Ocean.

GMT + 6

IDD facilities are available to the principal cities
Country Code - 94
Outgoing international code - 00
Phone cards are available at post offices and shops

GSM 900/1800 network. Network operators include Celltel Infiniti, Dialog GSM, Hutchinson & Mobitel Prepaid cards are available at the airport or service outlets

Internet cafes provide public access to internet and e-mail services

Generally Check in time1400hrs & Check out time 1200noon Times differ at each hotel