Sri-Lanka

Geography

Sri Lanka consists of one large island. It is located 25 miles off the Southern tip of India. The main island is about 278 miles from North to South and about 136 miles West to East. It has a total area of approximately 25,322 square miles, (65610 SqKm) exactly half the size of England. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with no marked seasons. The island terrain comprises the central highlands averaging an elevation of 3000 to 7000 ft and an upland belt where the elevation goes up to 3000 ft. A flat coastal plain occupies the rest of the Island.

Population And Ethnic Breakdown

Total 18.1 million (1995 Mid year estimates)

Ethnic Breakdown
Sinhalese 73.96%
Sri Lankan Tamils 12.71%
Indian Tamils 5.52%
Sri Lanka Moors 7.05%
Others 0.76%

Religion

Sri Lanka is a multi - religious country. The population divides as follows:-

Buddhists 69.30%
Hindus 15.48%
Muslims 7.61%
Christians 7.55&
Others 0.06%

Administrative Institutions

Sri Lanka is a free, sovereign, Independent and Democratic Republic, formerly a British colony. It became independent in 1948. Since independence country was ruled under Donoughmore constitution, until it was declared a Republic under the 1972 constitution with British Parliamentary system of administration. Under the new constitution promulgated in September 1978, the soverign power of the people is exercised by three main organs, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The sovereignity of the people shall be exercised and enjoyed in the following manner. The legislative power of the people shall be exercised by Parliament, consisting of elected representatives of the people and by the people at Referendum. The executive power of the people, including the defense of Sri Lanka. shall be exercised by the President of the Republic elected by people. The judicial power of the people shall be exercised by Parliament through courts, tribunals and institutions created and established, or recognized , by the Constitution, or created and established by law, except in regard to matters relating to the privileges, immunities and power of Parliament and of its Members, wherein the judicial power of the people may be exercised directly by parliament according to law.

The fundamental rights which are by the constitution declared and recognised shall be respected, secured and advanced by all the organs of Government, and shall not be abridged, restricted or denied and the franchise shall be exercisable at the election of the President of the Republic and of the Members of Parliament , and at every referendum by every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years, and who being qualified to be an elector as hereinafter provided, has his name entered in the register of electors.

Economy

Foreign Policy

Strictly non -aligned good relations exist with all countries. Has consistently supported the Commonwealth.

Education And Languages

Since 1946 Sri Lanka has free compulsory education up to university level. The literacy rate is 84.8% . The constitution delivers the right to be educated in either national language , Sinhala or Tamil, at school and at university level.

Official Language

Sinhala and Tamil are the languages of administration throughout Sri Lanka.

For More Information About This Beautiful Country Please Visit The Links Below

www.slt.lk/html/srilanka.html
www.lk
www.slt.lk

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