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Country Guide > Indian Subcontinent > Sri Lanka | |
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General Information Area 65,525 sq km (25,299 sq miles).
Population 19,007,000 (official estimate 2002). Population Density 286 per sq km. Capital Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (official). Population: 115,826 (2001). Colombo (commercial). Population: 642,020 (2001). Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is only 10km (6 miles) from Colombo. Geography Sri Lanka is an island off the southeast coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which lies the chain of islands called Adam’s Bridge. Sri Lanka has an irregular surface with low-lying coastal plains running inland from the northern and eastern shores. The central and southern areas slope into hills and mountains. The highest peak is Pidurutalagala (2524m/8281ft). Government Democratic Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948. Head of State: President Chandrika Kumaratunga since 1994. Head of Government: Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse since 2004. Language Sinhala, Tamil and English. Religion Buddhist majority (70 per cent), with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities. Time GMT + 6. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp fittings. Communications Telephone IDD facilities are available to the principal cities. Country code: 94. Outgoing international code: 00. Phone cards are available at post offices and shops. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800 network. Network operators include Celltel Infiniti (website: www.celltel.net), Dialog GSM (website: www.dialog.lk), Hutchison (website: www.hutchison.lk) and Mobitel (website: www.mobitellanka.com). Fax The General Post Office in Colombo (address below) provides a service. Many hotels also have facilities. Internet Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Pan Lanka Networking PL (website: www.panlanka.net). Telegram These can be sent from all post offices. Post Overseas mail usually takes 10 to 14 days. The main post office in Colombo is opposite the President’s house: General Post Office, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1. Press The most popular daily newspapers published in English include the Daily Mirror, Daily News, Evening Observer, The Island and Lankadeepa. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
