{ "Introduction": { "Background": { "text": "

The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from about 200 B.C. to about A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about A.D. 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a South Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter-century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in 2009.

During the post-conflict years under then-President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, political, and judicial reforms. However, implementation of these reforms was uneven. In 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother Mahinda prime minister. Civil society raised concerns about the RAJAPAKSA administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faced given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the COVID-19 pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo beginning in 2022. In response, WICKREMESINGHE -- who had already served as prime minister five times -- was named to replace the prime minister, but he became president within a few months when Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA fled the country. 

" } }, "Geography": { "Location": { "text": "Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India" }, "Geographic coordinates": { "text": "7 00 N, 81 00 E" }, "Map references": { "text": "Asia" }, "Area": { "total ": { "text": "65,610 sq km" }, "land": { "text": "64,630 sq km" }, "water": { "text": "980 sq km" } }, "Area - comparative": { "text": "slightly larger than West Virginia" }, "Land boundaries": { "total": { "text": "0 km" } }, "Coastline": { "text": "1,340 km" }, "Maritime claims": { "territorial sea": { "text": "12 nm" }, "contiguous zone": { "text": "24 nm" }, "exclusive economic zone": { "text": "200 nm" }, "continental shelf": { "text": "200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)" }, "Terrain": { "text": "mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior" }, "Elevation": { "highest point": { "text": "Pidurutalagala 2,524 m" }, "lowest point": { "text": "Indian Ocean 0 m" }, "mean elevation": { "text": "228 m" } }, "Natural resources": { "text": "limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "43.5% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "29.4% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "27.1% (2018 est.)" } }, "Irrigated land": { "text": "5,700 sq km (2012)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north" }, "Natural hazards": { "text": "occasional cyclones and tornadoes" }, "Geography - note": { "text": "strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes; Adam's Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka; geological evidence suggests that this 50-km long Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka; ancient records seem to indicate that a foot passage was possible between the two land masses until the 15th century when the land bridge broke up in a cyclone" } }, "People and Society": { "Population": { "total": { "text": "21,982,608" }, "male": { "text": "10,642,043" }, "female": { "text": "11,340,565 (2024 est.)" } }, "Nationality": { "noun": { "text": "Sri Lankan(s)" }, "adjective": { "text": "Sri Lankan" } }, "Ethnic groups": { "text": "Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)" }, "Languages": { "text": "Sinhala (official) 87%, Tamil (official) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.)", "note": "note: data represent main languages spoken by the population aged 10 years and older; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; English is commonly used in government and is referred to as the \"link language\" in the constitution" }, "Religions": { "text": "Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)" }, "Age structure": { "0-14 years": { "text": "22.6% (male 2,537,918/female 2,423,615)" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "65% (male 6,954,869/female 7,336,897)" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "12.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,149,256/female 1,580,053)" } }, "Dependency ratios": { "total dependency ratio": { "text": "53.7" }, "youth dependency ratio": { "text": "35.4" }, "elderly dependency ratio": { "text": "17" }, "potential support ratio": { "text": "5.9 (2021 est.)" } }, "Median age": { "total": { "text": "34.1 years (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "32.2 years" }, "female": { "text": "35.8 years" } }, "Population growth rate": { "text": "0.39% (2024 est.)" }, "Birth rate": { "text": "14.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Death rate": { "text": "7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Net migration rate": { "text": "-3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)" }, "Population distribution": { "text": "the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north" }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "19.2% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Major urban areas - population": { "text": "103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 633,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2023)" }, "Sex ratio": { "at birth": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "0-14 years": { "text": "1.05 male(s)/female" }, "15-64 years": { "text": "0.95 male(s)/female" }, "65 years and over": { "text": "0.73 male(s)/female" }, "total population": { "text": "0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)" } }, "Mother's mean age at first birth": { "text": "25.6 years (2016 est.)", "note": "note: data represents median age at first birth among women 30-34" }, "Maternal mortality ratio": { "text": "29 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)" }, "Infant mortality rate": { "total": { "text": "6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "7.5 deaths/1,000 live births" }, "female": { "text": "6.1 deaths/1,000 live births" } }, "Life expectancy at birth": { "total population": { "text": "76.8 years (2024 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "73.7 years" }, "female": { "text": "79.9 years" } }, "Total fertility rate": { "text": "2.13 children born/woman (2024 est.)" }, "Gross reproduction rate": { "text": "1.04 (2024 est.)" }, "Contraceptive prevalence rate": { "text": "64.6% (2016)" }, "Drinking water source": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 99.7% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 91.2% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 92.8% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 0.3% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 8.8% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 7.2% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Current health expenditure": { "text": "4.1% of GDP (2020)" }, "Physician density": { "text": "1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)" }, "Hospital bed density": { "text": "4.2 beds/1,000 population (2017)" }, "Sanitation facility access": { "improved: urban": { "text": "urban: 96.6% of population" }, "improved: rural": { "text": "rural: 97.9% of population" }, "improved: total": { "text": "total: 97.6% of population" }, "unimproved: urban": { "text": "urban: 3.4% of population" }, "unimproved: rural": { "text": "rural: 2.1% of population" }, "unimproved: total": { "text": "total: 2.4% of population (2020 est.)" } }, "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": { "text": "5.2% (2016)" }, "Alcohol consumption per capita": { "total": { "text": "2.58 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "beer": { "text": "0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "wine": { "text": "0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "spirits": { "text": "2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" }, "other alcohols": { "text": "0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)" } }, "Tobacco use": { "total": { "text": "22% (2020 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "41.4% (2020 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "2.6% (2020 est.)" } }, "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": { "text": "20.5% (2016)" }, "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": { "text": "65.1% (2023 est.)" }, "Child marriage": { "women married by age 15": { "text": "0.9%" }, "women married by age 18": { "text": "9.8% (2016 est.)" } }, "Education expenditures": { "text": "1.9% of GDP (2019 est.)" }, "Literacy": { "definition": { "text": "age 15 and over can read and write" }, "total population": { "text": "92.3%" }, "male": { "text": "93%" }, "female": { "text": "91.6% (2019)" } }, "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": { "total": { "text": "14 years" }, "male": { "text": "14 years" }, "female": { "text": "14 years (2018)" } } }, "Environment": { "Environment - current issues": { "text": "deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; coral reef destruction; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo" }, "Environment - international agreements": { "party to": { "text": "Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands" }, "signed, but not ratified": { "text": "Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation" } }, "Climate": { "text": "tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)" }, "Land use": { "agricultural land": { "text": "43.5% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: arable land": { "text": "arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent crops": { "text": "permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.)" }, "agricultural land: permanent pasture": { "text": "permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.)" }, "forest": { "text": "29.4% (2018 est.)" }, "other": { "text": "27.1% (2018 est.)" } }, "Urbanization": { "urban population": { "text": "19.2% of total population (2023)" }, "rate of urbanization": { "text": "1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)" } }, "Food insecurity": { "widespread lack of access": { "text": "due to unfavorable prospects for 2023 agricultural output and high prices of key food items - the 2023 cereal production is forecast below the five-year average, mostly reflecting constraints on farmers’ access to agricultural inputs; elevated prices of key food items are also constraining economic access to food for a large number of households (2023)" } }, "Revenue from forest resources": { "text": "0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Revenue from coal": { "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)" }, "Air pollutants": { "particulate matter emissions": { "text": "23.88 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)" }, "carbon dioxide emissions": { "text": "23.36 megatons (2016 est.)" }, "methane emissions": { "text": "10.95 megatons (2020 est.)" } }, "Waste and recycling": { "municipal solid waste generated annually": { "text": "2,631,650 tons (2016 est.)" }, "municipal solid waste recycled annually": { "text": "336,588 tons (2016 est.)" }, "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": { "text": "12.8% (2016 est.)" } }, "Total water withdrawal": { "municipal": { "text": "810 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "industrial": { "text": "830 million cubic meters (2020 est.)" }, "agricultural": { "text": "11.31 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Total renewable water resources": { "text": "52.8 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)" } }, "Government": { "Country name": { "conventional long form": { "text": "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka" }, "conventional short form": { "text": "Sri Lanka" }, "local long form": { "text": "Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala)/ Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu (Tamil)" }, "local short form": { "text": "Shri Lanka (Sinhala)/ Ilankai (Tamil)" }, "former": { "text": "Serendib, Ceylon" }, "etymology": { "text": "the name means \"resplendent island\" in Sanskrit" } }, "Government type": { "text": "presidential republic" }, "Capital": { "name": { "text": "Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)" }, "geographic coordinates": { "text": "6 55 N, 79 50 E" }, "time difference": { "text": "UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)" }, "etymology": { "text": "Colombo may derive from the Sinhala \"kolon thota,\" meaning \"port on the river\" (referring to the Kelani River that empties into the Indian Ocean at Colombo); alternatively, the name may derive from the Sinhala \"kola amba thota\" meaning \"harbor with mango trees\"; it is also possible that the Portuguese named the city after Christopher COLUMBUS, who lived in Portugal for many years (as Cristovao COLOMBO) before discovering the Americas for the Spanish crown in 1492 - not long before the Portuguese made their way to Sri Lanka in 1505; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte translates as \"Resplendent City of Growing Victory\" in Sinhala" } }, "Administrative divisions": { "text": "9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western" }, "Independence": { "text": "4 February 1948 (from the UK)" }, "National holiday": { "text": "Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)" }, "Legal system": { "text": "mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law" }, "Constitution": { "history": { "text": "several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978" }, "amendments": { "text": "proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2020" } }, "International law organization participation": { "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt" }, "Citizenship": { "citizenship by birth": { "text": "no" }, "citizenship by descent only": { "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka" }, "dual citizenship recognized": { "text": "no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka" }, "residency requirement for naturalization": { "text": "7 years" } }, "Suffrage": { "text": "18 years of age; universal" }, "Executive branch": { "chief of state": { "text": "President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024)" }, "head of government": { "text": "Prime Minister Harini AMARASURIYA (since 24 September 2024)" }, "cabinet": { "text": "Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister" }, "elections/appointments": { "text": "president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 September 2024 (next to be held in 2029); prime minister appointed by the president" }, "election results": { "text": "
2024: Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE elected president; percent of vote after reallocation - Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (JVP) 55.9%, Sajith PREMADASA (SJB) 44.1%

2022: Ranil WICKREMESINGHE elected president by Parliament on 20 July 2022; Parliament vote - WICKREMESINGHE (UNP) 134, Dullas ALAHAPPERUMA (SLPP) 82


 

" } }, "Legislative branch": { "legislature name": { "text": "Parliament" }, "legislative structure": { "text": "unicameral" }, "number of seats": { "text": "225 (196 directly elected; 29 indirectly elected)" }, "electoral system": { "text": "proportional representation" }, "scope of elections": { "text": "full renewal" }, "term in office": { "text": "5 years" }, "most recent election date": { "text": "11/14/2024" }, "parties elected and seats per party": { "text": "National People's Power (Jathika Jana Balawegaya, NPP) (159); Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) (40); Other (26)" }, "percentage of women in chamber": { "text": "9.8%" }, "expected date of next election": { "text": "November 2029" } }, "Judicial branch": { "highest court(s)": { "text": "Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 9 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation" }, "judge selection and term of office": { "text": "chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65" }, "subordinate courts": { "text": "Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts" } }, "Political parties": { "text": "Crusaders for Democracy or CFD
Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi or ITAK
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP
Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU
National People's Power or NPP (also known as Jathika Jana Balawegaya or JJB)
People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE
Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB
Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC
Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance or SLPFA (includes SLPFP, SLPP, and several smaller parties)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka's People's Front) or SLPP
Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO
Tamil National Alliance or TNA (includes ITAK, PLOTE, TELO)
Tamil National People's Front or TNPF
Tamil People's National Alliance or TPNA
United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG (coalition includes JHU, UNP)
United National Party or UNP" }, "International organization participation": { "text": "ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO" }, "Diplomatic representation in the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 13 January 2022)" }, "chancery": { "text": "3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008" }, "telephone": { "text": "[1] (202) 483-4025" }, "FAX": { "text": "[1] 202-232-2329" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
slemb.washington@mfa.gov.lk

https://slembassyusa.org/new/" }, "consulate(s) general": { "text": "Los Angeles" }, "consulate(s)": { "text": "New York" } }, "Diplomatic representation from the US": { "chief of mission": { "text": "Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022)" }, "embassy": { "text": "210 Galle Road, Colombo 03" }, "mailing address": { "text": "6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC  20521-6100" }, "telephone": { "text": "[94] (11) 249-8500" }, "FAX": { "text": "[94] (11) 243-7345" }, "email address and website": { "text": "
colomboacs@state.gov

https://lk.usembassy.gov/" } }, "Flag description": { "text": "yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a maroon rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green Sri Lankan Moors, and maroon the Sinhalese majority; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag" }, "National symbol(s)": { "text": "lion, water lily; national colors: maroon, yellow" }, "National anthem": { "name": { "text": "\"Sri Lanka Matha\" (Mother Sri Lanka)" }, "lyrics/music": { "text": "Ananda SAMARKONE" }, "note": "note: adopted 1951" }, "National heritage": { "total World Heritage Sites": { "text": "8 (6 cultural, 2 natural)" }, "selected World Heritage Site locales": { "text": "Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n)" } } }, "Economy": { "Economic overview": { "text": "economic contraction in 2022-23 marked by increased poverty and significant inflation; IMF two-year debt relief program following 2022 sovereign default; structural challenges from non-diversified economy and rigid labor laws; heavy dependence on tourism receipts and remittances" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": { "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": { "text": "$287.132 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": { "text": "$293.885 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": { "text": "$317.188 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "Real GDP growth rate": { "Real GDP growth rate 2023": { "text": "-2.3% (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2022": { "text": "-7.35% (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP growth rate 2021": { "text": "4.21% (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency" }, "Real GDP per capita": { "Real GDP per capita 2023": { "text": "$13,000 (2023 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2022": { "text": "$13,200 (2022 est.)" }, "Real GDP per capita 2021": { "text": "$14,300 (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: data in 2021 dollars" }, "GDP (official exchange rate)": { "text": "$84.357 billion (2023 est.)", "note": "note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": { "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": { "text": "16.54% (2023 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": { "text": "49.72% (2022 est.)" }, "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": { "text": "7.01% (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: annual % change based on consumer prices" }, "Credit ratings": { "Fitch rating": { "text": "CCC (2020)" }, "Moody's rating": { "text": "Caa1 (2020)" }, "Standard & Poors rating": { "text": "CCC+ (2020)" }, "note": "note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained." }, "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": { "agriculture": { "text": "8.3% (2023 est.)" }, "industry": { "text": "25.6% (2023 est.)" }, "services": { "text": "59.9% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data" }, "GDP - composition, by end use": { "household consumption": { "text": "69.3% (2023 est.)" }, "government consumption": { "text": "6.9% (2023 est.)" }, "investment in fixed capital": { "text": "17.6% (2023 est.)" }, "investment in inventories": { "text": "7.9% (2023 est.)" }, "exports of goods and services": { "text": "20.5% (2023 est.)" }, "imports of goods and services": { "text": "-22.2% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection" }, "Agricultural products": { "text": "rice, coconuts, plantains, tea, sugarcane, milk, cassava, fiber crops, maize, chicken (2022)", "note": "note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage" }, "Industries": { "text": "processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; tourism; clothing and textiles; mining" }, "Industrial production growth rate": { "text": "-9.23% (2023 est.)", "note": "note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency" }, "Labor force": { "text": "8.713 million (2023 est.)", "note": "note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work" }, "Unemployment rate": { "Unemployment rate 2023": { "text": "6.36% (2023 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2022": { "text": "6.33% (2022 est.)" }, "Unemployment rate 2021": { "text": "5.26% (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force seeking employment" }, "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": { "total": { "text": "25.3% (2023 est.)" }, "male": { "text": "20.9% (2023 est.)" }, "female": { "text": "33.9% (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment" }, "Population below poverty line": { "text": "14.3% (2019 est.)", "note": "note: % of population with income below national poverty line" }, "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": { "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019": { "text": "37.7 (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality" }, "Average household expenditures": { "on food": { "text": "27.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)" }, "on alcohol and tobacco": { "text": "3.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)" } }, "Household income or consumption by percentage share": { "lowest 10%": { "text": "3.1% (2019 est.)" }, "highest 10%": { "text": "30.8% (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population" }, "Remittances": { "Remittances 2023": { "text": "7.14% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, "Remittances 2022": { "text": "5.15% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Remittances 2021": { "text": "6.23% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities" }, "Budget": { "revenues": { "text": "$7.365 billion (2021 est.)" }, "expenditures": { "text": "$15.477 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated" }, "Public debt": { "Public debt 2017": { "text": "79.1% of GDP (2017 est.)" }, "note": "note: central government debt as a % of GDP" }, "Taxes and other revenues": { "text": "9.85% (of GDP) (2023 est.)", "note": "note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP" }, "Current account balance": { "Current account balance 2023": { "text": "$1.559 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2022": { "text": "-$1.448 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Current account balance 2021": { "text": "-$3.284 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars" }, "Exports": { "Exports 2023": { "text": "$17.327 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Exports 2022": { "text": "$16.169 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Exports 2021": { "text": "$14.974 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Exports - partners": { "text": "US 24%, India 8%, UK 7%, Germany 6%, Italy 4% (2022)", "note": "note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports" }, "Exports - commodities": { "text": "garments, tea, used rubber tires, rubber products, precious stones (2022)", "note": "note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Imports": { "Imports 2023": { "text": "$18.823 billion (2023 est.)" }, "Imports 2022": { "text": "$19.244 billion (2022 est.)" }, "Imports 2021": { "text": "$21.526 billion (2021 est.)" }, "note": "note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars" }, "Imports - partners": { "text": "India 34%, China 19%, UAE 5%, Malaysia 4%, Singapore 4% (2022)", "note": "note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports" }, "Imports - commodities": { "text": "refined petroleum, fabric, ships, cotton fabric, synthetic fabric (2022)", "note": "note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": { "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": { "text": "$3.137 billion (2021 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020": { "text": "$5.664 billion (2020 est.)" }, "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019": { "text": "$7.648 billion (2019 est.)" }, "note": "note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars" }, "Debt - external": { "Debt - external 2023": { "text": "$43.52 billion (2023 est.)" }, "note": "note: present value of external debt in current US dollars" }, "Exchange rates": { "Currency": { "text": "Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -" }, "Exchange rates 2023": { "text": "327.507 (2023 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2022": { "text": "322.633 (2022 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2021": { "text": "198.764 (2021 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2020": { "text": "185.593 (2020 est.)" }, "Exchange rates 2019": { "text": "178.745 (2019 est.)" } } }, "Energy": { "Electricity access": { "electrification - total population": { "text": "100% (2022 est.)" } }, "Electricity": { "installed generating capacity": { "text": "5.04 million kW (2022 est.)" }, "consumption": { "text": "10.401 billion kWh (2022 est.)" }, "transmission/distribution losses": { "text": "1.62 billion kWh (2022 est.)" } }, "Electricity generation sources": { "fossil fuels": { "text": "47.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)" }, "solar": { "text": "5.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)" }, "wind": { "text": "5.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)" }, "hydroelectricity": { "text": "40.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)" }, "biomass and waste": { "text": "0.8% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)" } }, "Coal": { "consumption": { "text": "2.084 million metric tons (2022 est.)" }, "exports": { "text": "(2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton" }, "imports": { "text": "2.205 million metric tons (2022 est.)" } }, "Petroleum": { "refined petroleum consumption": { "text": "121,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)" } }, "Carbon dioxide emissions": { "total emissions": { "text": "21.766 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)" }, "from coal and metallurgical coke": { "text": "4.663 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)" }, "from petroleum and other liquids": { "text": "17.103 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)" } }, "Energy consumption per capita": { "Total energy consumption per capita 2022": { "text": "14.449 million Btu/person (2022 est.)" } } }, "Communications": { "Telephones - fixed lines": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "1.707 million (2023 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "7 (2023 est.)" } }, "Telephones - mobile cellular": { "total subscriptions": { "text": "30 million (2023 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "143 (2022 est.)" } }, "Telecommunication systems": { "general assessment": { "text": "Sri Lanka’s fixed-line telephony market was one of the very few in the world to experience a significant upsurge in subscriptions in 2020; while the country suffers from a relatively poor fixed-line infrastructure and a correspondingly strong mobile sector, demand for traditional phone services increased 14% in 2020; preliminary results suggest a further jump of up to 13% can also be expected in 2021; this will take Sri Lanka’s fixed-line penetration to levels not seen since 2013; the most reason behind the market’s reversal of fortunes is the Covid-19 crisis and Sri Lanka’s ensuring lock downs; these forced much of the population back inside and reverting to ‘traditional’ methods of communication for both voice and data services; the fixed broadband market was equally robust, growing 20% in 2020 alone; Sri Lanka possesses a relatively low number of computers per household so the fixed broadband market’s success comes off a small base; the one area of the telecommunications market that experienced a fall was the mobile segment; up until the start of the pandemic, Sri Lanka had a very high mobile penetration rate of 155%; this near-saturation level reflected the preponderance for subscribers to carry multiple SIM cards to take advantage of cheaper on-net call rates; the reduction in demand and traffic because of the pandemic led to a sharp drop in the number of active subscriptions, down to just 135% – a 17% decline in just one year; the market is expected to bounce back quickly, as soon as the country eases back on its lock down measures and reduces travel restrictions; it will also be boosted, come 2022, by the anticipated launch of commercial 5G mobile services (2021)" }, "domestic": { "text": "fixed-line is 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 143 per 100 (2022)" }, "international": { "text": "country code - 94; landing points for the SeaMeWe -3,-5,  Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Network, WARF Submarine Cable, Bharat Lanka Cable System and the Bay of Bengal Gateway submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)" } }, "Broadcast media": { "text": "government operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations" }, "Internet country code": { "text": ".lk" }, "Internet users": { "percent of population": { "text": "50% (2022 est.)" } }, "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": { "total": { "text": "2.01 million (2023 est.)" }, "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": { "text": "9 (2023 est.)" } } }, "Transportation": { "National air transport system": { "number of registered air carriers": { "text": "3 (2020)" }, "inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers": { "text": "34" }, "annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "5,882,376 (2018)" }, "annual freight traffic on registered air carriers": { "text": "436.2 million (2018) mt-km" } }, "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": { "text": "4R" }, "Airports": { "text": "18 (2024)" }, "Heliports": { "text": "1 (2024)" }, "Pipelines": { "text": "7 km refined products" }, "Railways": { "total": { "text": "1,562 km (2016)" }, "broad gauge": { "text": "1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge" } }, "Roadways": { "total": { "text": "114,093 km" }, "paved": { "text": "16,977 km" }, "unpaved": { "text": "97,116 km (2010)" } }, "Waterways": { "text": "160 km (2012) (primarily on rivers in southwest)" }, "Merchant marine": { "total": { "text": "96 (2023)" }, "by type": { "text": "bulk carrier 5, general cargo 15, oil tanker 11, other 65" } }, "Ports": { "total ports": { "text": "6 (2024)" }, "large": { "text": "0" }, "medium": { "text": "2" }, "small": { "text": "1" }, "very small": { "text": "1" }, "size unknown": { "text": "2" }, "ports with oil terminals": { "text": "2" }, "key ports": { "text": "Batticaloa Roads, Colombo, Galle Harbor, Hambantota, Kankesanturai, Trincomalee Harbor" } } }, "Military and Security": { "Military and security forces": { "text": "Sri Lanka Armed Forces: Sri Lanka Army (includes National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard)

Ministry of Public Security: Sri Lanka National Police (2024)", "note": "note 1: the Civil Security Department, also known as the Civil Defense Force, is an auxiliary force administered by the Ministry of Defense

note 2: the Sri Lanka Police includes the Special Task Force, a paramilitary unit responsible for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations; it coordinates internal security operations with the military" }, "Military expenditures": { "Military Expenditures 2023": { "text": "1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2022": { "text": "1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2021": { "text": "1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2020": { "text": "2% of GDP (2020 est.)" }, "Military Expenditures 2019": { "text": "2% of GDP (2019 est.)" } }, "Military and security service personnel strengths": { "text": "approximately 260,000 total personnel (200,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force); approximately 11,000 Special Task Force personnel (2023)", "note": "note: in January 2023, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense announced plans to decrease the size of the Army to 135,000 by 2024 and 100,000 by 2030" }, "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": { "text": "the military's inventory consists mostly of Chinese- and Russian-origin equipment with a smaller mix of material from countries such as India and the US, including donations; defense acquisitions have been limited over the past decade (2024)" }, "Military service age and obligation": { "text": "18-22 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023)" }, "Military deployments": { "text": "110 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 240 Mali (MINUSMA) (2024)" }, "Military - note": { "text": "the military of Sri Lanka is responsible for external defense and may be called upon to handle specifically delineated domestic security responsibilities that generally do not include arrest authority; it has sent small numbers of personnel on UN peacekeeping missions; from 1983 to 2009, the military fought against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a conflict that involved both guerrilla and conventional warfare, as well as acts of terrorism and human rights abuses, and cost the military nearly 30,000 killed; since the end of the war, a large portion of the Army reportedly remains deployed in the majority Tamil-populated northern and eastern provinces; the military over the past decade also has increased its role in a range of commercial sectors including agriculture, hotels, leisure, and restaurants 

Sri Lanka traditionally has had close security ties to India; India participated in the LTTE war in 1987-1991, losing over 1,000 soldiers; the Sri Lankan and Indian militaries continue to conduct exercises together, and India trains over 1,000 Sri Lankan soldiers per year; in recent years, Sri Lanka has increased military ties with China, including acquiring military equipment, hosting naval port calls, and sending personnel to China for training (2024)" } }, "Terrorism": { "Terrorist group(s)": { "text": "Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)", "note": "note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide" } }, "Transnational Issues": { "Refugees and internally displaced persons": { "IDPs": { "text": "12,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 480,000 IDPs registered as returnees have not reached durable solutions) (2022)" }, "stateless persons": { "text": "35 (2022)" } } } }