A Confederation of Trade Associations, Regional and Sectoral Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bilateral Business Councils and Employer Organisations in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is off the Southern tip of India separated by the Palk Straits.
Latitude:
5º 55' to 9º 50' N
Longitude
79º 42' to 81º 53' E
Area
:
65,610 km² (25,332 miles²)
Population Distribution
:
The majority of the Sri Lankan population resides in the rural areas amounting to 72.2% of the entire population. The balance is distributed amongst the sector that resides in the urban areas and estate areas consisting of 21.5% and 6.3% respectively.
Demographic
Information
Population
Year
Mid Year Population ('000)
Age Composition
(Years) ('000)
Population
Density (N0.Per Sq.Km.)
< 14
15-64
> 65
2005(a)
19668
5240
13168
1260
314
2006(a)
19886
5297
13315
1274
317
2007(a)
20010
5331
13398
1281
319
2008(a)
20217
5386
13536
1295
322
(a) provisional
Source: Central Bank Annual Report 2008
Language
:
Sinhala is the language spoken by the majority of the population. The Constitution designates Sinhala and Tamil as the official languages and English as the `link' language. English is widely spoken, particularly in the mercantile sector.
Literacy Rate
:
90.7% (Men 92%;Women 89%)
Higher Education
:
Universities 15
University Students (Undergraduates) 65,987
Climate
:
Low country, min. 24.4ºC max. 31.7ºC
Hill country, min. 17.1ºC max. 26.3ºC
Accommodation
:
Sri Lanka offers varied accommodation to suit all tastes and seasons. There are numerous hotels of international standard, guesthouses and apartments.
