Statistical information Sri Lanka 1996
Sri Lanka in the World
top of pageBackground: Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century the island was ceded to the British in 1802. As Ceylon it became independent in 1948; its name was changed in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic war that continues to fester.
top of pageLocation: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaTotal: 65,610 km²
Land: 64,740 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,340 km
Maritime claimsContiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March; southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain: Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
ElevationNatural resources:
Limestone
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Mineral sands
Gems
Phosphates
Clay
Land useArable land: 16%
Permanent crops: 17%
Permanent pastures: 7%
Forests and woodland: 37%
Other: 23%
Irrigated land: 5,600 km² (1989 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographytop of pagePopulation:
18,553,074 (July 1996 est.)
18,342,660 (July 1995 est.)
Note: Since the outbreak of hostilities between the government and armed Tamil separatists in the mid-1980s, several hundred thousand Tamil civilians have fled the island; as of late 1992, nearly 115,000 were housed in refugee camps in south India, another 95,000 lived outside the Indian camps, and more than 200,000 Tamils have sought political asylum in the West
Growth rate:1.13% (1996 est.)
1.15% (1995 est.)
NationalityNoun: Sri Lankan(s)
Adjective: Sri Lankan
Ethnic groups:
Sinhalese 74%
Tamil 18%
Moor 7%
Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%
Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%
Note: English is commonly used in government and is spoken by about 10% of the population
Religions:
Buddhist 69%
Hindu 15%
Christian 8%
Muslim 8%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years:28% (male 2,673,943; female 2,559,569) (July 1996 est.)
29% (male 2,713,696; female 2,597,969) (July 1995 est.)
15-64 years:66% (male 6,023,759; female 6,171,964) (July 1996 est.)
65% (male 5,902,343female 6,042,228) (July 1995 est.)
65 years and over:6% (male 553,940; female 569,899) (July 1996 est.)
6% (male 538,709; female 547,715) (July 1995 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate:
1.13% (1996 est.)
1.15% (1995 est.)
Birth rate:
17.89 births/1000 population (1996 est.)
18.13 births/1000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate:
5.8 deaths/1000 population (1996 est.)
5.78 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate:
-0.78 migrant(s)/1000 population (1996 est.)
-0.84 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff
Current issues Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes
International agreements: party to_Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified_Marine Life Conservation
International agreements note: Strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
All ages:1 male(s)/female (1996 est.) Infant Mortality Rate:20.8 deaths/1000 live births (1996 est.)
21.3 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rateLife expectancy at birthTotal population: 72.35 years (1996 est.); 72.14 years (1995 est.)
Male: 69.77 years (1996 est.); 69.58 years (1995 est.)
Female: 75.06 years (1996 est.); 74.82 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.05 children born/woman (1996 est.)
2.08 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over that can read and write (1995 est.)
Total population: 90.2%
Male: 93.4%
Female: 87.2%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Conventional short form: Sri Lanka
Former: Ceylon
Government type: Republic
Capital: Colombo
Administrative divisions: 8 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Dependent areasIndependence: 4 February 1948 (from U.K.)
National holiday: Independence and National Day, 4 February (1948)
Constitution: Adopted 16 August 1978
Legal system: A highly complex mixture of English common law, Roman-Dutch, Muslim, Sinhalese, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state and head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note_Sirimavo BANDARANAIKE is the Prime Minister; in Sri Lanka the president is considered to be both the chief of state and the head of the government, this is in contrast to the more common practice of dividing the roles between the president and the prime minister when both offices exist; election last held 9 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 2000); results_Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (People's Alliance) 62%, Srima DISSANAYAKE (United National Party) 37%, other 1%
Cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
Legislative branch: Unicameral Parliament:Elections last held 16 August 1994 (next to be held by August 2000; results_PA 49.0%, UNP 44.0%, SLMC 1.8%, TULF 1.7%, SLPF 1.1%, EPDP 0.3%, UPF 0.3%, PLOTE 0.1%, other 1.7%; seats_(225 total) PA 105, UNP 94, EPDP 9, SLMC 7, TULF 5, PLOTE 3, SLPF 1, UPF 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationFlag description: Yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border that goes around the entire flag and extends between the two panels
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Industry_dominated by the fast-growing apparel industry_has surpassed agriculture as the main source of export earnings. The economy has been plagued by high rates of unemployment since the late 1970s. Economic growth accelerated in 1991-94 as domestic conditions began to improve and conditions for foreign investment brightened. In 1995, however, the government's emphasis on populist measures and its preoccupation with the stepped-up Tamil insurgency have clouded Sri Lanka's economic prospects and discouraged foreign investors. A further problem for 1996 is the need to curb government overspending.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate:
5% (1995 est.)
5% (1994 est.)
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: Accounts for 24% of GDP; field crops_rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseeds, roots, spices; cash crops_tea, rubber, coconuts; animal products_milk, eggs, hides, meat; not self-sufficient in rice production
Industries:
Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities
Clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate 9% (1994 est.), accounts for 24% of GDP
Labor force: 6.1 million
By occupation Agriculture: 45%
By occupation Services: 37%
By occupation Industry: 18% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13% (1994 est.)
13.6% (1993 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $2.7 billion (1995); $2.3 billion (1993)
Expenditures: $3.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $851 million (1995); $3.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1993)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: Calendar year
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports:
total value. $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
$2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
Commodities:Garments and textiles
Teas
Diamonds
Other gems
Petroleum products
Rubber products
Other agricultural products
Marine products
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Partners:U.S. 34.7%
Germany
U.K.
Japan
Netherlands
France (1994)
ImportsTotal value:$4.8 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
$4 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
Commodities:Textiles and textile materials
Machinery and equipment
Transport equipment
Petroleum
Building materials
Partners:Japan
India
U.K.
Hong Kong
South Korea
Taiwan
Singapore
China (1994)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external:
$8.8 billion (1994 est.)
$7.2 billion (1993 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (SLRes) per US$1_54.158 (January 1996), 51.252 (1995), 49.415 (1994), 48.322 (1993), 43.830 (1992), 41.372 (1991), 40.063 (1990)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: 3.2 billion kWh
Electricity consumptionPer capita: 168 kWh (1993)
Electricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone system: 175,000 telephones (1982); very inadequate domestic service, good international service
Local: NA
Intercity: NA
International: submarine cables extend to Indonesia and Djibouti; 2 INTELSAT (Indian Ocean) earth stations
Broadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $640 million, 4.4% of GDP (1996; $412 million, 3.6% of GDP (1994)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 13
With paved runways over 3047 m: 1
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 6
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysOver 3047 m: 1
15-24 to 2437 m: 6
914 to 1523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Airports with unpaved runwaysHeliportsPipelines: Crude oil and petroleum products 62 km (1987)
RailwaysRoadwaysWaterways: 430 km; navigable by shallow-draft craft
Merchant marineTotal: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 220,508 GRT/329,410 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 13, container 1, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 8 (1995 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs