General Information

Capital

Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte

Geography

Location 6 - 10 Notrh Latitude Location 80 - 82 East Longtitude Maximum Length 432 km Maximem Breadth 224 km Land Area 65,525 Sq. km Excluding Inland Water 62,336 Sq. km

Climate

No marked seasons. A special feature is that the hot and humid lowlands and the salubrious hill country are separated by a few hours motoring. Average mean temperature along the coast is 26.7 C (80 F) and 19.7 C (66.50 F) in the hill country. In Colombo, the commercial capital, situated on the west coast, the temperature varies from 26.4 C (79.5 F) to 27.8 C (82.12 F). Relative Humidity varies from 70% during the day to 90% at night.

Rainfall

Annual 2540 mm to over 5080 mm in south west of the Island. Less than 1250 mm in the north west and south east of the Inland.

Rainy Seasons

South West Monsoon May to August North East Monsoon November to February

Government

Sri Lanka has a Democratic Government, with an executive President and a Parliament elected by the people.

Population

Toatl Population	17.619 million (1993-mid year)
Male Population	         8.981 million
Female Population	 8.638 million

Density per sq. km	270
Growth rate		1.3

Provincial Population (in Millions) (1981 Census)

Western		3.920
Central		2.009
Southern	1.883
North Western	1.704
Sabaragamuwa	1.482
Northen		1.109
Eastern		0.975
Uva		0.914
North Central	0.849

Literacy rate (1988) %

Male 		90.5
Female		82.4

Ethnicty

Sinhala 	74%
Tamil		18%
Moors		 7%
Others		 1%

Religion

Buddhism	69%
Hinduism	15%
Christianity	 8%
Islam		 7%

Language

The Official Languages are Sinhala and Tamil. English is the secondry language. However, English is widely used as the medium of communication in commercial circles.

Monetary System

The decimal currency of the Sri Lankan Ruppe is divided into hundred cents. Sri Lanka has a unified exchange rate for foreign currency which floats in response to basic exchange market developments.

Colombo Exchange rates as at 30.06.95

Currency per Unit			S.L.Rs.
				Buying		Selling
1	US Dollars		50.17		50.39
1	Sterling Pounds	        78.96		79.76
1	Deutsche Mark		35.73		36.28
1	French Francs		10.13		10.37
100	Japanese Yen		58.44		59.36

Modern businesses observe the five day week.

Monday to Friday

Government Department 	8.30 am to 4.15 pm
Mercantile Offices 		8.30 am to 5.00 pm
Shops 				10.00 am to 8.00 pm on week days
				8.00 am to 10.00 pm on Saturdays
				(Close on Sundays and Mercantile Holidays)
Banks				9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Mondays
				9.00 to 1.30 pm from Tuesday to Friday
				(Some Banks are operate till 3.00 pm and 
				some till 8.00 pm and some banks are
				operate on Suturdays)

Weights and Measures

The metric system is operative throughout the island.

Electricity Supplies

Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts. 50 cycles AC.

Administrative Units

Province	9
District	25
AGA Division	287
Electorates	160

District By Province

Western Province WP

Colombo
Gampaha
Kalutara

Central Province CP

Matale
Kandy
Nuwara Eliya

Southern Province SP

Matara
Hambantota
Galle

Northern Province NP

Jaffna
Killinochchi
Mullativu
Vavuniya
Mannar

North Central Province NCP

Anuradhapura
Polonnaruwa

North Western Province VWP

Puttalam
Kurunegala

Uva Province

Monaragala
Badulla

Sabaragamuwa Province

Kegalle
Ratnapura

Prominent Water Falls

Name of the Waterfall		Height in Metres

Bambarakanda     			241
Kurundu Oya				189
Diyaluma				171
Laksapana				115
Ratna Ella				111

Longest Rivers in Sri Lanka

Name of River			Length in K/metres

Mahaweli Ganga			        335
Aruvi Aru				164
Kala Oya				148
Kelani Ganga				145
Yan Oya				        142
Deduru Oya				142
Walawe Ganga				138
Maduru Oya				135
Maha Oya				134
Kalu Ganga				129
Kirindi Oya				117
Kumbukkan Oya			        116
Menik Oya				114
Gin Ganga				113
Mi Oya					109
Gal Oya				        108

Highest Peaks in Sri Lanka

Name of Peak			Height in Metres

Pidurutalagala				2524
Kirigalpotta				2395
Thotupolakanda			        2357
Kudahagala				2320
Sri Pada (Adam's Peak)		        2243
Kikilimana				2240
Great Western				2216
Hakgala				        2170
Conical Hill				2166
One Tree Hill				2100
Mahakudagala				2100
Waterfall Point			        2074
Namunukula				2036
Gonmolikanda				2034

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