Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
An island off the south-eastern coast shores of India, 880 km north of the equator, in the Indian Ocean.
65,525 sq km with a population density of 309 people per sq km
23,319,260 (March 2026 est.)
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Commercial Capital: Colombo
4th February (1948)
GMT+5½ hours. Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
The Lion Flag features a lion bearing a sword in gold on red background with a yellow border. Four Bo leaves pointing inwards are at the four corners. Two vertical bands of green and orange represent the minority ethnic groups. It is an adaptation of the standard of the last King of Sri Lanka.
The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) is the National Flower of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Junglefowl (Gallus lafayettii) is the National Bird of Sri Lanka.
Volleyball is the National Sport of Sri Lanka. Cricket is the most popular sport.
Sinhala, Tamil and English are widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages where it might be Sinhala only or Tamil only.
Low Lands: Tropical, average 27°C
Central Hills: Cooler, temperatures dropping to 14°C
Monsoons: South-west (May-July), North-east (December-January)
Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco.
Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, roots, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, meat.
Sri Lankan Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.). Notes: Rs.10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 & 5000. Coins: 25 & 50 Cts., Rs.1, 2, 5 & 10.
230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Official standard: 13-ampere plugs with three rectangular pins (triangular pattern). Older buildings may use three round pins. Universal adaptor recommended.
Residents from permitted countries are issued visas on arrival. Apply online at www.eta.gov.lk. Simple & Easy. Visa fees apply.
Monday to Friday (5 days)
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday to Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00/3:00 PM
Monday to Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM (Sat)
Telecommunication service providers (Mobile & Landlines) are available island wide. Sri Lanka Telecom, Mobitel, Dialog GSM, Airtel and Hutch are among the top providers.
SIM & DATA Cards: Available at airport and in shops island-wide
Sri Lanka is a free, independent and sovereign nation. Legislative power is exercised by a Parliament, elected by universal franchise on proportional representation basis. A President, who is also elected by the people, exercises executive power inclusive of defence. Sri Lanka enjoys a multi-party system, and the people vote to elect a new government every six years.
