Sri Lanka

About Sri Lanka

Capital

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (official), Colombo (commercial)

Continent

Independence Date

4 February 1948

Official Language	Afrikaans
Second Language	English
Population	~22 million
Passport Color	Red
Passport Rank	#98
Dialing Code	94
Country TLD	.lk

Sri Lanka Overview

Sri Lanka is a tropical island nation located in the Indian Ocean, just off the southeastern coast of India. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” Sri Lanka boasts a rich cultural heritage, scenic beaches, lush tea plantations, and ancient cities. The capital city is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, while Colombo serves as its commercial center.

The country has a recorded history of over 2,500 years, with influences from Buddhism, Hinduism, and colonial powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch, and British. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and is now a democratic republic. Its diverse geography includes rainforests, highlands, and beautiful coastal plains.

The economy is based on agriculture, textiles, tourism, and tea exports. Ceylon tea, gemstones, and spices are world-famous Sri Lankan exports. The island’s hospitality, wildlife reserves, and UNESCO World Heritage sites make it a major travel destination in South Asia.

Top attractions include Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Galle Fort, Ella’s scenic hills, and Yala National Park.

Quick Facts About Sri Lanka

Coordinates	7.8731° N, 80.7718° E
Bordering Countries	None (island nation; maritime border with India and Maldives)
Region / Continent	Asia (South Asia)
Total Area	65,610 sq km
Population Density	~350 people per sq km
Highest Point	Pidurutalagala – 2,524 m
Major Rivers	Mahaweli, Kelani, Kalu, Walawe
Climate Type	Tropical; monsoon-influenced
Famous For	Tea, spices, beaches, culture, ancient temples
Major Landmarks	Sigiriya, Kandy, Galle Fort, Yala National Park
Official Languages	Sinhala, Tamil
Currency	Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Government Type	Unitary presidential republic
Time Zone	UTC+5:30 (SLST)
Major Exports	Tea, textiles, rubber, spices, gemstones
Visitor Entry	Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) required for most visitors