Sri Lanka

World Book Index

Introduction

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; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.

Neighboring countries

India - Maldives

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
total: 21,982,608 (2024 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) 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.)

Population growth rate
0.39% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)

Executive branch
chief of state: President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Harini AMARASURIYA (since 24 September 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 13 January 2022)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022)

Economy

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)
$301.407 billion (2024 est.)
$287.031 billion (2023 est.)
$293.878 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,800 (2024 est.)
$13,000 (2023 est.)
$13,200 (2022 est.)

Exports
$17.327 billion (2023 est.)
$16.169 billion (2022 est.)
$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
$18.823 billion (2023 est.)
$19.244 billion (2022 est.)
$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)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.776, ranking it 89th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 132nd out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.214. (more information)