Sri Lanka
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Population
22.05M
Area
65,610 km²
GDP
$98.96B
GDP Per Capita
$13,800
Pop. Density
336/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
Rs රුSri Lankan rupee(LKR)
Calling Code
+94
Timezone
UTC+05:30
Languages
Sinhala, Tamil
Driving Side
left
Demonym
Sri Lankan
Background
The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from about 200 B.C. to about A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about A.D. 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a South Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century, followed 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; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter-century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in 2009.
During the post-conflict years under then-President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society. In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, political, and judicial reforms. However, implementation of these reforms was uneven. In 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother Mahinda prime minister. Civil society raised concerns about the RAJAPAKSA administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faced given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo beginning in 2022. In response, WICKREMESINGHE -- who had already served as prime minister five times -- was named to replace the prime minister, but he became president within a few months when Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA fled the country.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑250.1% since 2006Population
↑7.7% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 77.5 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography17
Location
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinates
7 00 N, 81 00 E
Map references
Asia
Area
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries
Coastline
1,340 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Elevation
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 228 m
Natural resources
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
5,700 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north
Natural hazards
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Geography - note
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes; Adam's Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka; geological evidence suggests that this 50-km (31-mi) bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka; ancient records seem to indicate that a foot passage was possible between the two land masses until the 15th century, when the land bridge broke up in a cyclone
People & Society36
Population
male: 10,668,528
female: 11,382,033
Nationality
adjective: Sri Lankan
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) 87%, Tamil (official) 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.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 65% (male 6,954,869/female 7,336,897)
65 years and over: 12.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,149,256/female 1,580,053)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 34.2 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 19.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 5.1 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 32.2 years
female: 35.8 years
Population growth rate
0.22% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
14.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 633,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
25.6 years (2016 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
18 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 73.7 years
female: 79.9 years
Total fertility rate
2.12 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.03 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
1.14 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.2% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 36.3% (2025 est.)
female: 2% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
17.1% (2024 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.3% (2016 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 9.8% (2016)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 7.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy
male: 93.4% (2023 est.)
female: 92% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 12 years (2023 est.)
female: 14 years (2023 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
former
etymology
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 79 50 E
time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origin of Colombo's name is unclear; it may derive from the Sinhalese words kola (leaves) and amba (mango), referring to local mango trees, or from the name Kelantotta, referring to a ferry that crossed the Kelani River; the name was corrupted to Kolambu by Arab traders, and 16th-century Portuguese settlers then called it Colombo, possibly referring to explorer Christopher COLUMBUS; the legislative capital's name, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, is composed of the Sanskrit honorific sri, the name of Sri Lankan President J.R. JAYEWARDENE, and the Hindi word pura (town)
Administrative divisions
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Legal system
mixed system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2024: Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE elected president; percent of vote after reallocation - Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (JVP) 55.9%, Sajith PREMADASA (SJB) 44.1%
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts
Political parties
Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi or ITAK
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP
Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU
National People's Power or NPP (also known as Jathika Jana Balawegaya or JJB)
People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE
Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB
Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC
Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance or SLPFA (includes SLPFP, SLPP, and several smaller parties)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka's People's Front) or SLPP
Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO
Tamil National Alliance or TNA (includes ITAK, PLOTE, TELO)
Tamil National People's Front or TNPF
Tamil People's National Alliance or TPNA
United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG (coalition includes JHU, UNP)
United National Party or UNP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
slemb.washington@mfa.gov.lk
https://slembassyusa.org/
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
colomboacs@state.gov
https://lk.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)
Flag
meaning: the sword stands for national sovereignty; the lion for Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the four bo leaves for Buddhism and the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange stands for Tamils, green for Moors, and maroon for the Sinhalese majority; yellow represents other ethnic groups
National symbol(s)
lion, water lily
National color(s)
maroon, yellow
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE (Sinhala),M. NALLATHAMBY (Tamil)/Ananda SAMARKONE
history: adopted 1951
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n)
Economy32
Economic overview
economic contraction in 2022-23 marked by increased poverty and significant inflation; IMF two-year debt relief program following 2022 sovereign default; structural challenges from non-diversified economy and rigid labor laws; heavy dependence on tourism receipts and remittances
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $287.031 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $293.878 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: -2.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: -7.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $13,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $13,200 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$98.963 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 16.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 49.7% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 25.5% (2024 est.)
services: 57.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
rice, coconuts, tea, sugarcane, plantains, milk, fiber crops, cassava, chicken, pumpkins/squash (2023)
Industries
processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; tourism; clothing and textiles; mining
Industrial production growth rate
11% (2024 est.)
Labor force
8.499 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 4.6% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 18.4% (2024 est.)
female: 29.6% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
14.3% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 3.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 30.8% (2019 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 5.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $17.144 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
9.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: -$1.448 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$3.284 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $16.169 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $14.974 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 22%, India 7%, Germany 7%, UK 7%, Italy 5% (2023)
Exports - commodities
garments, tea, precious stones, used rubber tires, rubber products (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $19.244 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $21.526 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
India 21%, China 19%, UAE 10%, Singapore 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fabric, crude petroleum, packaged medicine, cotton fabric (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $4.405 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.896 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Exchange rates 2019
Energy6
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 15.763 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.457 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 40.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 2.238 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
government operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations
Internet country code
.lk
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2023 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4R
Airports
18 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Railways
broad gauge: 1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge
Merchant marine
by type: bulk carrier 5, general cargo 15, oil tanker 11, other 65
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
size unknown
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security7
Military and security forces
Ministry of Public Security: Sri Lanka Police (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 210,000 active Armed Forces (140,000 Army; 25,000 Air Force; 45,000 Navy) (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's armaments are mostly of Chinese, Indian, Russian/Soviet, and US origin (2025)
Military service age and obligation
generally 18-24 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women, although upper age limits may vary by branch of service, roles, specialties, etc; no conscription (2026)
Military deployments
120 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 130 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025)
Military - note
Sri Lanka traditionally has had close security ties to India; the Sri Lankan and Indian militaries conduct exercises together, and India trains approximately 1,000 Sri Lankan soldiers per year; in recent years, Sri Lanka has increased military ties with China, including acquiring military equipment, hosting naval port calls, and sending personnel to China for training (2025)
Transnational Issues1
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 5,549 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 229 (2024 est.)