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Official Name

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the largest islands in the Indian Ocean and lies approximately 20 miles to the southeast of the southernmost tip of India.  Lattitude 5.55 to 9.50 N and Longitude 79.42 to 81.52 E.  It is 25,332 square miles or 65,606 square kilometres.  The narrow Palk Strait divides Sri Lanka from India.

The Capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and the Commercial Capital is Colombo with a population of approximately 800,000.  Other large cities are Jaffna, Kandy and Galle.  Ports are in Colombo, Trincomalee and Galle.  The International Airport is in Katunayake, 20 miles from Colombo.

Terrain - coastal plains, central hills and mountains.  The highest mountain is Pidurutalagala, 8,281 feet high.

Climate - tropical

Average temperatures :             Colombo 87.7ºF (minimum)

                                              Kandy 83.7ºF (minimum)

                                              Nuwara Eliya 68.4ºF (minimum)

Rainfall -

Geographical distribution : Average annual rainfall varies from about 37" to 228".   South West Quarter and Central Region, approximately 1/3 of the island, receives more than 79" with a high between 158" to 228", being restricted to Western slopes of the Central Hills and North Eastern Hill Country.  A little less than 2/3 of Sri Lanka receives less than 79".  The lowest average rainfall of less than 40" is confined to the extreme North Western and South East Region of Sri Lanka.

Seasonal distribution :   March/April - conventional (inter-monsoonal)

                                  May through September - South West Monsoonal

                                  October/November - Conventional/Cyclonic/Depressional

                                  (Inter-monsoonal)

                                  December through February - North East

                                  Monsoonal/Depressional

History

Recent excavations show that even during the Neolithic Age there were food gatherers and rice cultivators in Sri Lanka.  Very little is known of this period and documented history began with the arrival of the Aryans from North India.  The Aryans introduced the use of iron and an advanced form of agriculture and irrigation.  They also introduced the art of government.  Of the ancient Aryan settlements, Anuradhapura grew into a powerful kingdom under the rule of King Pandukabhaya.  According to traditional history he is accepted as the founder of Anuradhapura.

During the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa, a descendant of Pandukabhaya, Buddhism was introduced in 247 B.C. by Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Asoka of India.  This is the most important event in Sri Lanka history as it set the country on the road to cultural greatness.  As a new civilisation flourished, Sri Lanka became rich and prosperous.

In the mid 2nd century B.C. a large part of Northern Sri Lanka came under the rule of an invader from South India.  From the beginning of the Christian Era and up to the end of the 4th century A.D. Sri Lanka was governed by an unbroken dynasty called Lambakarna, which paid great attention to the development of irrigation.  A great king of this dynasty, Mahasen (3rd Century A.D.) started the construction of large 'tanks' or irrigation reservoirs.  Another great 'tank' builder was Dhatusena who was put to death by his son, Kashyapa, who made Sigiriya a royal city with his fortress capital on the summit of the rock.

As a result of invasions from South India, the Kingdom of Anuradhapura fell by the end of the 10th century A.D.  Vijayabahu I repulsed the invaders and established his capital at Polonnaruwa in the 11th century A.D.  Other great kings of Polonnaruwa were Parakrama Bahu the Great and Nissanka Malla, both of whom adorned the city with numerous buildings of architectural beauty.

Invasions continued intermittently and the capital was moved constantly until the Portuguese arrived in 1505 when the chief city was established in Kotte, in the western lowlands.  The Portuguese came to trade in spices, but stayed to rule until 1656 in the coastal regions, as did the Dutch thereafter.  Dutch rule lasted from 1565 to 1796 in which year they were displaced by the British.  During this period the highland kingdom with its capital Kandy, retained its independence despite repeated assaults by foreign powers who ruled the rest of the country.  In 1815 the Kingdom of Kandy was ceded to the British who thus established their rule over the whole island.  Modern communications, western medical services, education in English, as well as the plantation industry (first coffee, then tea, rubber and coconut) developed during British rule.  By a process of peaceful, constitutional evolution, Sri Lanka won back her independence in 1948 and is now a sovereign republic with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations Organisation.

National Flag

The necessity of a National Flag was discussed even before Sri Lanka gained independence on 4th February 1948.  Mr. A. Sinnalebbe, MP for Batticaloa tabled a motion in the State Council on 16th January 1948 suggesting that the Lion Flag of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe which was taken to Britain in 1815 should be made the National Flag.  This was debated and later, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. D.S.Senanayake named an Advisory Committee for the formulation of a National Flag.  The members of the committee were Mr.S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike (Chairman), Sir John Kotalawela, Mr.J.R.Jayawardena, Mr.T.B.Jayah, Dr.L.A.Rajapakse, Mr.G.G.Ponnambalam and Senator S.Nadesan.

Although a committee for the formulation of a National Flag was appointed, no finality had been reached when the first independence day was celebrated on 4th February 1948.   However, the Lion Flag fluttered on that day.  The Lion Flag and the British Union Jack fluttered on the occasion of the opening of the first Parliament of independent Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) on 19th February 1948.  Prime Minister D.S.Senanayake unfurled the Lion Flag at the Octagon (Pattirippuwa) during the independence celebration held in Kandy on 12th February 1948.

The National Flag recommended by the special committee was presented to Parliament by Mr.D.S.Senanayake on 2nd March 1951 and adopted.  It had two strips, one green and the other yellow.  Each of these strips had to be equal to one seventh of the size of the flag.

When Sri Lanka was first made a republic in 1972, the traditional Bo Leaves depicted in the National Flag were changed to resemble natural Bo Leaves.  This amended flag was first unfurled at the Republic Day celebrations held on 22nd May 1972.  The National Flag is incorporated in Section 6 Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka of 9th September 1978.

Except for the new Bo Leaves, the present flag is the same flag recommended by the National Flag Formulation Committee on 2nd March 1951.

National Anthem

After gaining independence from foreign rule, the people of Sri Lanka were kindled with patriotic feeling.  On the recommendation of the Sri Lanka Gandharva Sabha a competition to select a national anthem was conducted in January 1948.  At this competition, late Mr. Ananda Samarakoon's composition "Namo Namo Matha" was chosen as the National Anthem.  The main theme of the Anthem is designed to instil honour and respect to the Motherland and create national progress through unity.

During the early 1950s there was a controversy about the national anthem.  A defect was found in the lyrics and the opening words were changed as "Sri Lanka Matha - Apa Sri Lanka"  The first rendering of the National Anthem was made on Independence Day, 4th February 1948 by a group of 500 students from Musaeus College, Colombo and it was broadcast over the radio.  The National Anthem is incorporated in Section 7 Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

State Emblem

Sri Lanka used the British emblem when it was a British Crown Colony.  We continued to use it even after gaining independence in 1948.  According to the recommendations of a select committee appointed to devise a state emblem more suitable for Sri Lanka (Ceylon) we opted for a new State Emblem.  It had a Lion with Sword in its right fore paw encircled with a 'Palapethi' design atop.  Below there was a strip carrying the country's name in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

A new republican emblem was chosen after the country was declared a Republic on 22nd May 1972.   In addition to the lion with a sword and the 'Palapethi' design, it portrays the 'punkalasa', 'dhammachakka', sun, moon and two sheaves of paddy.

National Flower

The Nil Mahanel flower was declared the National Flower of Sri Lanka on 26th February 1986. Its botanical name is 'Nympheae Stellata'.  This flower is mentioned in many Sinhala, Pali and Sanskrit Literary works.  The flower which is also referred to as "Kuvalaya", "Indhewara", "Niluppala", "Nilothpala' and "Nilupul" occupies a pre-eminent position in Buddhist literature too.  It is said the 'Nil Mahanel Flower' was among the 108 ceremonial designs found on the footprint of Prince Siddhartha.  This proves that it had been a ceremonial flower throughout history.  It is believed that the damsels depicted in Sigiriya Frescoes also carry the Nil Mahanel flower in their hands.  Traditional poetry known as "Sandesa Kavya" likens women's eyes to the Nil Mahanel flower which has also been used as an ear ornament.

The Nil Mahanel plant which grows in shallow waters is found in all parts of the country.   The flower which is purplish blue in colour has a heavy concentration of petals in the centre.  The Nil Mahanel flower is also considered a symbol of truth, purity and discipline.

National Tree

A proposal made to declare the Na Tree as the National Tree was adopted by the Cabinet on 26th February 1986.  Socially and culturally we have been closely associated with the Na Tree for centuries. It was chosen as the National Tree for seven reasons.

1. It is a tree which originated in Sri Lanka

2. Its utility

3. Historic and cultural importance

4. Exterior posture

5. Wide distribution

6. Colour and nature

7. Ability to draw and sketch it easily

Botanically it is called "Mesua Nagassarium" and in English it is called the Iron Wood tree.   An indigenous tree it is also grown in parks because of its majestic beauty.   As the English name signifies the tree is very hard and durable.  The wood is used in building temples and devales.

Religions

Buddhism - practiced by many Sri Lankans.  Manifestations of this faith can be found throughout the island in the form of Buddha Statues, monuments, sculptures, stupas, etc.   Introduced into the country 2,230 years ago, Buddhism is maintained in its purest form.

Hinduism - There are many Hindu Kovils in Sri Lanka and this religion is mainly practiced by the Tamil population.

Christianity - Catholic as well as non-Catholic denominations such as Anglican (Church of England), Presbyterian, Methodist and Adventist Churches all hold regular services.

Islam - many Mosques can be found in Sri Lanka including some very modern ones.

People

Nationality - Sri Lankan

Population - 19.04 million (1999)

Population growth rate - 1.3 % (1999)

Population Density 304 people per square kilometre

Infant mortality rate/1000 live births - 16.3 (1998)

Languages - Sinhala & Tamil (official) / English

Annual per capital GNP US $ 839

Population

By Ethnicity -    Sinhalese                   -     74 %

                          Sri Lankan Tamils     -     13 %

                          Indian Tamils            -       5 %

                          Muslims                    -      7 %

                          Others                      -       1 % (Burghers, Malays, Parsis & Veddhas)

By Religion -     Buddhists                  -     69 %

                          Hindus                     -     15 %

                          Islam                        -      8 %

                          Christians                 -       8 %

                          Others                      -      Negligible

Education

Compulsory from the age of 5 to 14 years.

School attendance    :     98 %

Eleven Universities offering degree courses in Humanities, Natural Science, Business Management, Commerce, Mass Communication, Medicine, Dentistry, Engineering, Agriculture, Law, Veterinary Science, Architecture and Computer Studies.

Government

Sri Lanka has a Republican form of Government.  The current constitution was adopted in 1978.  Universal suffrage began in 1931.  The age of voting is 18 and above.

The Executive Branch consists of the President and a Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the President.  The President who is elected directly by the people for a six year term (maximum two terms) is Head of the State and Head of Government.  The Prime Minister is appointed by the President from among the Members of Parliament.

The Legislature is called "Parliament" and consists of 225 representatives, from whom Ministers are appointed by the President.  The Members of Parliament or MPs, are elected for six year terms at periodical General Elections through a system of proportional representation.

The Sri Lankan Parliament is a Unicameral (One Chamber) assembly.

Judiciary

The Judicial power of the people is exercised by an independent judiciary, headed by the Chief Justice who is appointed by the President.

The different levels of the judiciary are -     The Supreme Court

                                                                The Court of Appeal

                                                                The High Court

                                                                Courts of First Instance & Tribunals