| Official
Name: |
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The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
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| Geographical Location: |
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Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, situated 50 kms.
or 31 miles off the Southern tip of India, and is separated from India by the Palk Strait.
Latitude: 5o 55” to 9o 50’N
Longitude: 79o
42’ to 81o 52’E
Length: North to South – 434 kms.
East to West – 227 kms.
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| Topography: |
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The coastal areas and northern half are
flat. The central and south-central are hilly and mountainous. |
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| National
Day (Independence Day): |
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February 04th. |
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| Capital: |
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Sri Jayewardenepura (Administrative)
Colombo (Commercial) |
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| Area: |
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65,610 sq.kms.
(25,332 sq.miles) |
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| Climate: |
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No marked seasons. A special feature is that the hot and humid lowlands and the salubrious hill country are separated by a few hours motoring. Average mean temperature along the coast is
26.7oC (80oF) and 19.7oC (66.5oF) in the hill country. In Colombo, the commercial capital, situated on the west coast, the temperature varies from
26.4oC
(79.5oF) to 27.8oC (82.12oF).
Daily weather: http://www.island.lk then click on “Weather”
There is rainfall throughout the year and two
main seasons are identified:
South-West Monsoon: May to July
North-East Monsoon: November to January.
A number of rivers starting from the Central
Highlands flow to the sea in a Radial Pattern.
Longest river - Mahaveli (331 kms)
Highest waterfall - Bambarakanda (240 mtrs)
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| Time Equivalence: |
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| GMT:
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+6 hrs.
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Egypt’s time:
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+4 hrs. (winter)
+3 hrs. (summer)
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| Government: |
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Sri Lanka has a Democratic Government,
with an Executive President and a
Parliament elected by the people.
For more information: http://www.priu.gov.lk |
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Population and
Ethnic Composition: |
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| 19.2 Mn. |
(2003) |
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Sinhalese |
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74% |
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Tamils |
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18% |
| Moors |
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07% |
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Malays,Burghers & Others |
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01% |
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| Gender Structure: |
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| Male |
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49.6% |
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Female |
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50.4% |
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| Population Growth: |
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1.3%
(2003) |
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| Population Density: |
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307 persons per sq. km.
(2003) |
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| Demographic Distribution: |
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| 0 – 14 years |
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28% |
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15 – 64 years |
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66% |
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65 years and above |
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06% |
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| Life Expectancy: |
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| Male |
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70.7
years |
| Female |
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75.4 years |
| Average |
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73.0 years |
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| Literacy
Rate: |
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| Male |
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94.3% |
| Female |
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89.4% |
| Average |
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91.8% |
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| Religions: |
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| Buddhism |
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69% |
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Hinduism |
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15% |
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Christianity |
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08% |
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Islam |
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07% |
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| Language: |
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The Official languages are Sinhala and Tamil.
However, English is widely used as a medium of communication in commercial circles. |
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| Working Hours: |
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Sri Lanka adopts a five-day week, Monday to Friday. Hours of business are normally:
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Government Departments:
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9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
(Monday-Friday) |
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Mercantile Offices:
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8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
(Monday – Friday)
8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
(Saturday) |
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Shops:
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10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
(Monday-Friday)
10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
(on Saturdays)
Closed on Sundays and
Mercantile Holidays. |
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Banks:
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9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
(Monday – Friday)
Some Banks are open
on Saturdays. |
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Post Offices:
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8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
(Monday – Friday)
8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
(Saturday) |
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| Weights & Measures: |
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The metric system is operative throughout the
country. |
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| Electricity Supplies: |
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Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts, 50 cycles AC. |
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Flight routes
from Egypt to Sri Lanka: |
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Via Dubai, Kuwait or Bahrain, Doha, Beirut, Amman, Muscat, Jeddah and Riyadh. |
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| Airport: |
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The Bandaranaike International Airport, which is 29 kms. from the City of Colombo. |
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| Colombo Port: |
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The Colombo Port, graded the twenty-first port in the world, and the hub port of South
Asia, is heading for a fully computerized environment, with Electronic Data Interchange
(EDI) facility operations, as per UN EDIFACT standards by the year 2003. |
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What to declare
on arrival: |
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(1) All currencies including travellers cheques,
drafts, letters of credit and bills of exchange.
(2) Precious metals i.e. Platignum, Gold and silver.
(3) Precious stones and valuable jewellery (in order to facilitate outward clearance).
(4) Firearms and dangerous weapons.
(5) Drugs and narcotics.
(6) Flora and fauna (Sri Lanka is a signatory To the CITES (Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species).
(7) Any goods in commercial quantities.
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| Currency Regulations: |
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Foreign currency should be encashed only at banks or authorized money changers. The
currency declarations made at entry to the country may be required at this stage. Credit
cards are accepted for payments. |
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| Currency Unit: |
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Sri Lankan Rupee (A Rupee is divided into
One hundred Cents)
Daily Exchange Rate:
http://www.lanka.net/centralbank
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State
Emblem:
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Sri Lanka used the British emblem
when it was a British Crown Colony. She continued to use it even
after gaining independence in 1948. This emblem was chosen after
the country was declared a Republic on May 22, 1972.
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National Tree:
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The “Na Tree”, botanically known as “Mesua Nagassarium” was adopted as the National Tree of Sri Lanka on 26 February 1986. |
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National Flower:
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The “Nil Mahanel” flower, botanically known as “Nympheae Stellata” was declared the National Flower of Sri Lanka on 26th February 1986.
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Human Development
Index (HDI): |
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During the post-independence period, Sri Lanka developed into a state with strong foundations, whose standards of literacy (89 per cent), education, health (life expectancy 72 years for females and 69 years for males) and nutrition, are among the best in the developing world. UNDP and UNICEF rate Sri Lanka as one of the best among developing countries on the Human development Index basis. |
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| Herbal Medications: |
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Sri Lanka is one of the most popular
destinatinations for lovers of herbal medications and also having some well-equipped hospitals for those who cross many miles to experience the tremendous therapeutic value of it, while being in relaxing and salubrious environs. Please contact via e-mail, the Embassy for details. |
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| Gems and Jewellery:
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The Sri Lanka gemstone industry combines tradition that dates from ancient times with modern cutting-edge skills that make the island a leader in the processing of rough stones and the manufacture of gem-studded jewellery.
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Sri Lanka also offers a colourful array of gems
including Rubies, Padparadschas, Alexandrites, Cat’s Eyes, Star Sapphires, Star Rubies, Garnets, Spinels, Aquamarines, Moon Stones, Topaz etc., along with a wide variety of Sapphires – Blue, Pink, Yellow and Orange. |
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| Spices: |
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Sri Lanka has been known for her spices from time immemorial. Climate and peculiar geographical characteristics make spices grown in Sri Lanka, bring about a superior aroma and taste. Cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, mace, ginger, etc. are available for export from Sri Lanka.
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| Universities: |
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Organisations:
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NGOs, schools, religious organizations,
community organizations, etc.
http://www.infolanka.com/org/srilanka/org.html
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