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| Country Name : |
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Sri Lanka formerly Named as : |
- TAMBAPANNI/TABROBANE by Greeks & Romans
- SERENDIB by Arab sailors
- CEILAO /Zeylan/CEYLON/ by Portuguese/Dutch/British
- SEA LAND
- The Resplendent Island (Ancient indigenous name)
- PERL OF INDIAN OCEAN
- SRI LANKA (('beautiful island')
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| Location : |
Between 5° 55' and 9°50' North Latitude,
between 79°42' to 81°53' of East Longitude |
| Total Land area : |
65,610 sq.km |
| Climate: |
Low Country : Min. 24.4° C - Max 31.7° C
Hill Country : Min. 17.1° C - Max 26.3° C |
| Composition of population : |
- Sinhalese 74.9%
- Sri Lankan Tamils 11.2%
- Sri Lankan Moor 9.3%
- Indian Tamils 4.1%
- Others 0.5%
- (Burghers, Malays, Parsis & Veddhas)
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| Multi Religious country : |
- Buddhism 70.1%
- Hinduism 12.6%
- Christianity 7.6%
- Islam 9.7%
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| Multi linguistic - Official languages |
- Sinhala
- Tamil
- English (Link Language)
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| Life expectancy: |
76.8% |
| People enjoy : |
- Free education - kindergarten to university
- Free health care to its entire population and advanced health standards
UNDP and UNICEF rate Sri Lanka as one of the best among developing countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) basis.
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| Per Capita GDP : |
USD 3852 |
| Economy : |
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| Agro based : |
Sri Lanka shifted to open Economy in 1978.
How various sectors contribute into the economy.
- Agriculture (8.36% of GDP)
- Industry (26.25% of GDP)
- Service 59.67% GDP
- Annual growth rate: 3.65%
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| Agriculture : |
Being an agriculture based economy Sri Lanka is almost self sufficient in rice which is main crop. Tea is also an important agricultural crop being a main foreign exchange earner among rubber and coconut.Sri Lanka is the world’s third largest tea producer. Cinnamon is produced contributing to about 90% of the world’s cinnamon supply.The country also exports rubber products such as solid rubber tyres for off road vehicles.Other crops are cocoa and spices such as, cardamons, nutmeg, pepper and cloves. |
| Industries : |
Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining.
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| Services : |
The services sector is dominated by trade, port and telecommunication services, financial services, tourism and business services.Tourism is a highly developed industry in Sri Lanka and is one of the main foreign exchange earners.Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean on the major air sea routes between Europe the Far East gives it an advantage as a global logistics hub.
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| Main Exports : |
Textiles and Apparel, Tea, Rubber, Coconut products, Gems, Spices, Ceramic products, Wooden articles, Activated carbon, Articles of leather,and Articles of steel,Semi-manufactured products,fish,fruits and vegetables.One of other major exports are precious and semi-precious stones.
Remittances from Sri Lankans employed abroad have contributed a large share towards the foreign exchange earnings in recent years. |
| Import : |
Machinery and equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, synthetic yarn fabrics, wheat fertilizer, chemicals, building materials, food stuffs.transportation equipment |
| Investors are provided with : |
- preferential tax rates,
- constitutional guarantees on investment agreements,
- Exemptions from exchange control and 100% repatriation of profits.
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| Currency: |
Sri Lanka Rupees |
| National Emblem: |
When the country was declared a Republic on May 22, 1972, a new emblem was introduced with a sword and the Palapethi open petal design. it portrays the Punkalasa, Dhammachakka, Sun, Moon and two Sheaves of Paddy. |
National Flag : |
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| National Symbols : |
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Sri Lanka National Anthem : |
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Sinhalese Lyrics : |
Sri Lanka Matha, apa Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
Sundara siri barini,
Surändi athi Sobamana Lanka
Dhanya dhanaya neka mal pala thuru piri, jaya bhoomiya ramya.
Apa hata sä pa siri setha sadana, jee vanaye Matha!
Piliganu mana apa bhakti pooja,Namo Namo Matha.
Apa Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha,
apa Sri Lanka,
Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha.
Obave apa vidya obamaya apa sathya obave apa shakti
apa hada thula bhakti oba apa aloke
apage anuprane oba apa jeevana ve
apa muktiya obave
Nava jeevana demine nithina apa
Pubudu karan matha
Gnana veerya vadavamina ragena yanu
mana jaya bhoomi kara
Eka mavekuge daru kala bavina
yamu yamu wee nopama
Prema vadamu sama bheda durara da Namo Namo Matha
English Translation
Mother Lanka - we salute Thee!
Plenteous in prosperity, Thou,
Beauteous in grace and love,
Laden with corn and luscious fruit
And fragrant flowers of radiant hue,
Giver of life and all good things,
Our land of joy and victory,
Receive our grateful praise sublime,Lanka! we worship Thee.
Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth,
Thou art our strength and inward faith,
Our light divine and sentient being,
Breath of life and liberation.
Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.
Inspire us for ever.
In wisdom and strength renewed,
Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended,
In love enfolded, a mighty nation
Marching onward, all as one,
Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom.
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| Location and Geography : |
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