General infomation

Sri Lanka is a small island and situated in the Indian Ocean. Previously known as Ceylon .It is well known as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. Sri Lanka is a socialist democratic south Asia country. Sri Jayawardhanapura is the capital of Sri Lanka. Geography Sri Lanka lies between longitudes 79' and 81' east and latitudes 5' and 10' north.From north to south the island is 425kms long and from west to east 225kms wide.The area of the island is 65610 square kms. Location Sri Lanka is a teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean just below the Southern tip of India, and lying North of the equator. Climate  Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate. There are no seasonal variations. The bi-annual monsoon rains provide the only seasons. Colombo and the South West experience rain from April to May and September to October. The East coast gets its share of rainfall from November to January. Being closer to the equator, the temperature is high throughout the year. The average temperature in Colombo is 27 degrees centigrade (80 degrees Fahrenheit). This is accompanied by high levels of humidity. However, in the different parts of the island, the temperature and the climate vary according to the terrain. The higher you go, the cooler it gets. In the mountainous regions of Nuwara Eliya, the temperature averages 16 degrees centigrade (61 degrees Fahrenheit). History  The chronicled history of Sri Lanka dates back to over 2,500 years. It had established trade and cultural links with many ancient civilizations. Throughout history, it has been known by different names. To the Greeks it was Taprobane, to the Arabs it was Serendib, to the Portuguese it was Ceilao, to the Dutch it was Zeylan, and to the British it was Ceylon. Sri Lanka was the ancient name meaning "The Resplendent Isle".  People  The population number approximately 18 million. This multi-ethnic population comprises: • Sinhalese - 72% • Tamils - 19% • Muslims - 8% • Burghers (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese) - 1% Religion  The four major religions are: • Buddhism - followed by 69% of the population • Hinduism - followed by 13% of the population • Islam - followed by 8% of the population • Christianity - followed by 7% of the population Languages  The most commonly-spoken languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala, Tamil and English. Economy Sri Lanka economy is based on agriculture and trade. Sri Lanka exports tea, coconut, rubber, spices, clothes, and gems to overseas. Currency  The Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs.) is divided into 100 cents. The coins and notes fall into the following denominations: Coins : 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 Rupee, 2 Rupees, 5 Rupees, 10 Rupees Notes : 10 Rupees, 20 Rupees, 50 Rupees, 100 Rupees, 500 Rupees, 1,000 Rupees * Please note that 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents and 10    cents coins are barely in circulation today. TIME DIFFERENCE. Sri Lanka standard time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. MEDICAL FACILITIES.  The professional standards of doctors and surgeons are excellent, and many of them hold British qualifications. Good private facilities are also available at reasonable rates. AIRPORT  Bandaranika International Airport, 34km from city centre. VISA REGULATIONS 30 day visit visa issued at entry for most nationalities. Extension of tourist visas is done at the Department of Immigration and Emigration. CUSTOMS FORMALITIES  Green channel for non residents who have nothing to declare. Baggage should not contain goods in commercial quantities and goods that are prohibited and restricted. You are permitted to take out what you have declared and brought into the country and whatever you have purchased locally such as gems, jewellery and Sri Lanka products out of foreign currency. EMBARKATION TAX  Presently SLR 1000/- per person for all departing passengers for international destinations. ( Payable only in local currency ) ACCOMMODATION  Ranges from guest houses and one star to five star hotels where executive floors and suites are available too. BANKS  Open from 9.00 hrs to 13.30 hrs and some till 15.00 hrs Monday to Friday. Banks at Airport open 24 hours. Bank of Ceylon - Tourist Bank in York Street Colombo open from 9.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs all days of the week and holidays.  CREDIT CARDS Most international credit cards are accepted in merchandising establishments within and outside Colombo including all major hotels. COMMUNICATION FACILITIES Internet, E-mail, International telephone and Fax facilities are available in Colombo and all provincial towns. ELECTRICITY  220-240V 50 Cycles A/C HOLIDAYS  Saturdays Sundays and every full moon day (called poya day) are holidays in SriLanka. On poya days all public places of entertainment are closed and selling of alcohol is prohibited. However hotels make special arrangements for their in house guests. COMMERCIAL CENTER  Colombo NATIONAL DAY  February 4 th AREA 65,610 sq.km. (25,332 sq. miles) MID YEAR POPULATION 2001 Sri Lanka 18,732,000 RATE OF POPULATION GROWTH Percentage 1.4% POPULATION BY ETHNICITY – 2001  Percentage Sinhalese 74.0 Sri Lankan Tamils     12.6 Moors 5.5 Indian Tamils     7.1 Others 0.8