Sri Lanka at a glance

Total Area
 65 thousand sq. km

Population
22 million

Languages
 5 major languages

Ancient stone temple ruins with steps, carved statues, and a seated Buddha statue at the top, surrounded by greenery and a cloudy sky.

Facts about Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has a total area is 65,610 sq. km. and an estimated population of 22 million people.

  • Sinhala, Tamil, and English are the official languages in Sri Lanka.

  • Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, and Kandy. 

  • A major exporter of tea, with Ceylon tea being a renowned variety.

  • The current President of Sri Lanka is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the current Prime Minister is Harini Amarasuriya.

Colorful rooster standing in green foliage with a vibrant red, gold, and blue plumage in a natural setting.

  • In 2022, the country experienced widespread protests due to an economic crisis, leading to the resignation of the President and Prime Minister, and the subsequent appointment of a new government in 2024.

  • Sri Lanka holds the distinction of being the first country to elect a female prime minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, in 1960. 

  • Other Notable Facts:

    • Religious Diversity: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are the main religions practiced in Sri Lanka.  Buddhism and Hinduism however make up majority of the population.

    • Population Growth: The population growth rate has declined in recent decades, with a current growth rate below 1%.  Sri Lanka has a relatively young population, with a significant portion under the age of 30. 

    • The Sri Maha Bodhi tree, planted over 2,000 years ago, is the oldest human-planted tree in the world. 

    • The national animal is the Sri Lanka junglefowl, and the national flower is Blue Water Lily.

Colorful prayer flags hanging in front of a snow-capped mountain peak under a clear blue sky.
Traditional Indian festival celebration with dancers in colorful attire, drummers, and a decorated figure in a yellow dress, on a street with flower petals on the ground and a bright blue sky.
Close-up of the domes and minarets of a historic mosque with reddish-brown walls and white domes, set against a pale sky.