| Sri Lanka |
Key Information
| Area | 65606 square kilo meters |
| Country Capital | Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Colombo (Commercial Capital) |
| Population | 18.5 million (1997) |
| Population Growth | Rate 1.3 per cent |
| Population Density (per sq km) | 296 |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 69.5 (Male) 74.2 (Female) |
| Literacy Rate | 92.1 per cent |
| Languages | Sinhala, Tamil and English |
| Ethinic Groups | Sinhalese : 74 per cent Tamils : 18.1 per cent Muslims : 7.1 per cent Others : 0.8 per cent |
| Religions | Buddhism : 69.3 per cent Hinduism : 15.5 per cent Christianity : 7.6 per cent Islam : 7.5 per cent |
| Major Exports | Tea, textiles, garments, diamonds, gems, jewellery, petroleum products, rubber, sugar, building materials, machinery and equipment |
| Major Cash Crops | Tea, rubber and copra |
| Climate | Lowlands : Tropical, average 270C Central Hills : 160C |
Places of Interest
| Place Importance | |
| Colombo | Commercial capital of the island; country's business centre; department stores; book shops; airline offices; clock tower; light house; Galle Face Green; Beaches; Cinammon Gardens; Park; Pettah bazaar (shopping spot); National Museum; Art Gallery; Mosques; Buddhist and Hindu temples. |
| Dehiwala Zoo | Special elephant show |
| Dambulla | A vast isolated rock mass; famous rock temple dating to the first century B.C.; series of five caves turned into shrines |
| Wilpattu National Park | Best known for Leopards |
| Sigiriya Rock | It was a royal citadel for more than 18 years, from 477 to 495 A.D.; rock art gallery |
| Mihintale Rock | Buddhist temples |
| Anuradhapura Island | first capital founded about Fourth century B.C.; The Sacred Bo-Tree; Buddhist temples |
| Polonnaruwa | Sri Lanka's medieval capital; Buddhist temples; parks; gardens; Parakrama Samudra (a unique irrigational complex) |
| Yapahuwa | Ancient fortress and capital during 1301; surrounded by moats and ramparts |
| Yala National Park | Home to a large elephant population |
| Kandy | Laidback capital of the hill station; Famous Buddhist Tooth Temple (Dalada Maligawa); Lake; Kandy Esala Perahera (A famous religious festival of the Buddhist); National Museum; Peradeniya Botanic Gardens; Udawattakelle Sanctuary; Kandyan Art Association & Cultural Centre; handicraft shops |
| Galle | Dutch Fort; museums; churches; beaches |
| Hikkaduwa | Island's most developed beach resort; easily accessible coral sanctuary; scuba diving; boating; handicraft shops; Buddhist temple |