About Sri Lanka
The Island Of Serendip
An 18th century English writer had Sri Lanka in mind when he coined the word “serendipity” – the faculty of making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident. Serendip is one of the many poetic names given to Sri Lanka, a land so striking in its natural beauty, so green and fertile, its tropical climate mellowed by sea and mountains and water and trees. A two-hour drive in this land of contrasts transfers a traveler from tropical heat to mild temperate coolness.
In ancient times, Sri Lanka’s spices and precious stones attracted traders. Modern visitors are drawn to its tropical attractions, historical sites and spirituality. Sri Lanka can offer a bustling metropolis, a history that spans 2,500 years and miles and miles of unspoiled sands. Add to this the unbridled hospitality of the Sri Lankan people, and the country truly becomes a “serendipitous” pleasure.
Sri Lanka
The Facts
Country Name:
* Conventional Long Form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
* Conventional Short Form: Sri Lanka
* Former: Ceylon
Size:
65, 525 square km
Commercial Capital
Colombo
Government
Sri Lanka, is a free, independent and sovereign nation with a population of 18.774 million (1998 mid year estimates). 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
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.
National Flower
Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata)
Population
19 Million
Literacy Rate
91.8%
Languages
* Sinhala & Tamil
* English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages
Ethnic Mix
Sinhalese-74 %; Tamil-18 %; Muslim-7 %; Burgher (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonist) and others-1 %
Religion
Buddhism-70 %; Hinduism-16 %; Christianity-7 %; Islam-7 %
Location
An island off the south-eastern cost shores of India, 880 km north of the equator, in the Indian Ocean.