Introduction
Background
The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. 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.
Geography
Area
total: 65,610 sq km
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Natural resources
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land
People and Society
Population
23,326,272 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)
Languages
Sinhala (official and national language) 87%, Tamil (official and national language) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.)
Religions
Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)
Population growth rate
0.56% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
Executive branch
chief of state: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Dinesh GUNAWARDENA (since 22 July 2022)
head of government: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat district constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats, referred to as the "national list" are allocated by each party secretary according to the island wide proportional vote the party obtains; members serve 5-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income South Asian island economy; extremely high public debts; rapid inflation; facing domestic food, fuel, and medicine shortages; tourism industry disrupted by COVID-19; known garment and commodities exporter; low foreign exchange reserves
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$296.595 billion (2021 est.)
$287.046 billion (2020 est.)
$297.372 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$13,400 (2021 est.)
$13,100 (2020 est.)
$13,600 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, coconuts, sugar cane, plantains, milk, tea, cassava, maize, poultry, coir
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
Remittances
8.37% of GDP (2020 est.)
7.58% of GDP (2019 est.)
7.45% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$13.083 billion (2020 est.)
$19.414 billion (2019 est.)
$20.264 billion (2018 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 24%, India 8%, United Kingdom 7%, Germany 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
clothing and apparel, tea, used tires, rubber products, precious stones, cinnamon (2019)
Imports
$18.271 billion (2020 est.)
$24.562 billion (2019 est.)
$26.841 billion (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
India 24%, China 23%, Singapore 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Malaysia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, textiles, gold, cars, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
198.764 (2021 est.)
185.593 (2020 est.)
178.745 (2019 est.)
162.465 (2018 est.)
152.446 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, December 20, 2023
