CapitalColombo (commercial capital)
Population22,050,561
Area65,610 km²
GDP per capita$13,800
LanguagesSinhala, Tamil, English
CurrencySri Lankan rupees
Life Expectancy76.8 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
The initial Sinhalese settlers arrived in Sri Lanka towards the end of the 6th century B.C., likely originating from northern India. The introduction of Buddhism occurred around 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms emerged in the cities of Anuradhapura (circa 200 B.C. to approximately A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from around A.D. 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a Tamil kingdom was established in northern Sri Lanka by a South Indian dynasty. The Portuguese dominated the coastal regions of the island in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The British acquired the island in 1796, transitioned it into a crown colony in 1802, and fully unified it under British governance by 1815. Known as Ceylon, the island attained independence in 1948; it was renamed Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Tamil separatists and the Sinhalese majority escalated into conflict in 1983. The hostilities between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) persisted for more than twenty-five years. Although peace negotiations facilitated by Norway resulted in a cease-fire in 2002, hostilities gradually resumed and intensified by 2006. The government ultimately defeated the LTTE in 2009.
In the years following the conflict, under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government launched various infrastructure projects, many funded through loans from China. His administration faced accusations of human rights abuses and a diminishing democratic environment for civil society. In 2015, a new coalition government led by President Maithripala SIRISENA from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE from the United National Party assumed power, promising to implement economic, political, and judicial reforms. However, the execution of these reforms was inconsistent. In 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA secured the presidency and appointed his brother Mahinda as prime minister. Civil society expressed concerns regarding the RAJAPAKSA administration's dedication to justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the threats posed to foreign creditors amid Sri Lanka's ongoing economic difficulties. A confluence of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and power outages, sparked increasingly violent protests in Colombo starting in 2022. In response, WICKREMESINGHE -- who had previously served as prime minister five times -- was appointed to succeed the prime minister, but he assumed the presidency within a few months after Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA departed the country.
Geography
Area
land
64,630 sq km
water
980 sq km
total
65,610 sq km
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain
predominantly flat to rolling plains; mountainous regions in the south-central interior
Land use
other
16.7% (2023 est.)
forest
34.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
48.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 22.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 19.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 7.1% (2023 est.)
Location
Southern Asia, an island situated in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Coastline
1,340 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
mean elevation
228 m
Irrigated land
5,700 sq km (2012)
Map references
Asia
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
infrequent cyclones and tornadoes
Geography - note
geographically significant location adjacent to key sea routes in the Indian Ocean; Adam's Bridge consists of a series of limestone shoals that lie between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern shore of Sri Lanka; geological findings indicate that this 50-km (31-mi) long bridge may have formerly linked India and Sri Lanka; historical documents suggest that a land route existed between the two regions until the 15th century, when the cyclone caused the land bridge to disintegrate
Natural resources
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gemstones, phosphates, clay, hydropower, cultivable land
Area - comparative
marginally larger than West Virginia
Geographic coordinates
7 00 N, 81 00 E
Population distribution
the populace is chiefly concentrated within an extensive wet zone in the southwest, urban areas along the eastern coastline, and the Jaffna Peninsula in the north
People & Society
Literacy
male
93.4% (2023 est.)
female
92% (2023 est.)
total population
92.7% (2023 est.)
Languages
Sinhala (official) 87%, Tamil (official) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.)
Religions
Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.95 male(s)/female
total population
0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.73 male(s)/female
Birth rate
14.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
32.2 years
total
34.2 years (2025 est.)
female
35.8 years
Population
male
10,668,528
total
22,050,561 (2025 est.)
female
11,382,033
Nationality
noun
Sri Lankan(s)
adjective
Sri Lankan
Tobacco use
male
36.3% (2025 est.)
total
18.2% (2025 est.)
female
2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
19.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
22.6% (male 2,537,918/female 2,423,615)
15-64 years
65% (male 6,954,869/female 7,336,897)
65 years and over
12.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,149,256/female 1,580,053)
Ethnic groups
Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15
0.9% (2016)
women married by age 18
9.8% (2016)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
53.9 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
34.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
5.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
19.7 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.14 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
9.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
4 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.12 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 87.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 89.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 12.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 10.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
7.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
7.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.22% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.03 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the population is mainly situated within an extensive wet zone located in the southwest, urban areas along the eastern coastline, and the Jaffna Peninsula in the northern region
Life expectancy at birth
male
73.7 years
female
79.9 years
total population
76.8 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
18 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 99% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 97.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
2.58 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
2.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 633,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.2% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
25.6 years (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.3% (2016 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
17.1% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
12 years (2023 est.)
total
13 years (2023 est.)
female
14 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Land use
other
16.7% (2023 est.)
forest
34.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
48.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 22.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 19.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 7.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
19.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
2.632 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
24.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion; illegal hunting; impacts of urban development; coastal degradation due to mining operations and pollution; destruction of coral reefs; contamination of freshwater resources from industrial waste and sewage runoff; waste management issues; air pollution in Colombo
Total water withdrawal
municipal
805 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
831 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
11.31 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
19.153 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
5.15 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
14.003 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
24.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
52.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, Marine Life Protection
Government
Flag
description: yellow with two segments; the smaller segment on the left features two equal vertical stripes of green (left) and orange; the larger segment displays a yellow lion wielding a sword on a maroon background, with a yellow bo leaf in each corner
meaning: the sword symbolizes national sovereignty; the lion represents Sinhalese identity, national strength, and valor; the four bo leaves signify Buddhism and the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange denotes Tamils, green signifies Moors, and maroon represents the Sinhalese majority; yellow stands for other ethnic communities
Capital
name
Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
etymology
the etymology of Colombo's name is uncertain; it may stem from the Sinhalese terms kola (leaves) and amba (mango), referencing local mango trees, or from the name Kelantotta, which referred to a ferry crossing the Kelani River; Arab merchants altered the name to Kolambu, and Portuguese settlers in the 16th century adapted it to Colombo, possibly in reference to explorer Christopher COLUMBUS; the name of the legislative capital, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, combines the Sanskrit honorific sri, the name of Sri Lankan President J.R. JAYEWARDENE, and the Hindi term pura (town)
time difference
UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 55 N, 79 50 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka
dual citizenship recognized
no, unless the government determines it is advantageous for Sri Lanka
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous constitutions; latest adopted on 16 August 1978, certified on 31 August 1978
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; to pass, it requires at least a two-thirds majority vote from its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in certain cases, approval in a referendum by an absolute majority of valid votes
Country name
former
Serendib, Ceylon
etymology
the name derives from the Sanskrit words shri (happiness or holiness) and lanka (island); the earlier name Serendib was an Arabic adaptation of the Sanskrit simhaladvipa, meaning "island of the place of lions;" the previous name Ceylon originated from the Sanskrit simha, meaning "lion"
local long form
Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala)/ Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu (Tamil)
local short form
Shri Lanka (Sinhala)/ Ilankai (Tamil)
conventional long form
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form
Sri Lanka
Independence
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
Legal system
a mixed legal framework comprising Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of the Republic (composed of the chief justice and 9 justices); holds exclusive authority to review legislation
subordinate courts
Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts
judge selection and term of office
the chief justice is nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices are nominated by the CC and appointed by the president based on the chief justice's advice; all justices may serve until the age of 65
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
chief of state
President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024)
election results
2024: Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE elected president; percentage of vote after reallocation - Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (JVP) 55.9%, Sajith PREMADASA (SJB) 44.1%
head of government
President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024)
most recent election date
21 September 2024
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly by a preferential majority popular vote for a term of 5 years (eligible for one additional term); the prime minister is appointed by the president
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)
National color(s)
maroon, yellow
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
8 (6 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n)
Political parties
Crusaders for Democracy or CFD
Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi or ITAK
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP
Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU
National People's Power or NPP (also known as Jathika Jana Balawegaya or JJB)
People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE
Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB
Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC
Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance or SLPFA (comprises SLPFP, SLPP, and several smaller parties)
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka's People's Front) or SLPP
Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO
Tamil National Alliance or TNA (includes ITAK, PLOTE, TELO)
Tamil National People's Front or TNPF
Tamil People's National Alliance or TPNA
United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG (coalition includes JHU, UNP)
United National Party or UNP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
225 (196 directly elected; 29 indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/14/2024
expected date of next election
November 2029
percentage of women in chamber
9.8%
parties elected and seats per party
National People's Power (Jathika Jana Balawegaya, NPP) (159); Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) (40); Other (26)
National anthem(s)
title
"Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
history
adopted 1951
lyrics/music
Ananda SAMARKONE (Sinhala), M. NALLATHAMBY (Tamil)/Ananda SAMARKONE
National symbol(s)
lion, water lily
Administrative divisions
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] 202-232-2329
chancery
3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 483-4025
consulate(s)
New York
chief of mission
Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 13 January 2022)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles
email address and website
[email protected]
https://slembassyusa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[94] (11) 243-7345
embassy
210 Galle Road, Colombo 03
telephone
[94] (11) 249-8500
mailing address
6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC 20521-6100
chief of mission
Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://lk.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not filed a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$9.387 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$17.144 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$14.974 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$16.169 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$17.327 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$21.526 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$19.244 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$18.823 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
processing activities related to rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco, and various agricultural products; tourism; garments and textiles; mining industries
Labor force
8.499 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
79.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
6.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
5.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
7.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
178.745 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
185.593 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
198.764 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
322.633 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
327.507 (2023 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$42.198 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
an economic downturn in 2022-23 characterized by rising poverty levels and significant inflation; initiation of a two-year debt relief program by the IMF following the sovereign default in 2022; ongoing structural issues stemming from an economy lacking diversification and inflexible labor regulations; substantial reliance on tourism revenues and remittances
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
4.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 22%, India 7%, Germany 7%, UK 7%, Italy 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
India 21%, China 19%, UAE 10%, Singapore 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$13,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$13,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$13,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-7.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-2.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
rice, coconuts, tea, sugarcane, plantains, milk, fiber crops, cassava, chicken, pumpkins/squash (2023)
Exports - commodities
garments, tea, precious stones, used rubber tires, rubber products (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fabric, crude petroleum, packaged medicine, cotton fabric (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$3.284 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$1.448 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$1.559 billion (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
9.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$98.963 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
68.7% (2024 est.)
government consumption
7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
8.2% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
18.8% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
19.9% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-22.5% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
14.3% (2019 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
27.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
49.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
16.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
-0.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
11% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$293.878 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$287.031 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$301.407 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
18.4% (2024 est.)
total
22.3% (2024 est.)
female
29.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.896 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$4.405 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$6.094 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
25.5% (2024 est.)
services
57.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
8.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.1% (2019 est.)
highest 10%
30.8% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
37.7 (2019 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
2.238 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
2.323 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
100,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
15.763 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
5.326 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.457 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
12.372 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
49.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
40.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
51% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The government manages 5 television channels and 19 radio channels; subscription services for multi-channel satellite and cable television are available; there are 25 private television stations and approximately 43 radio stations; additionally, there exist 6 non-profit television stations and 4 radio stations.
Internet country code
.lk
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.707 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
7 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
30.6 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
133 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
2.01 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
9 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
2
key ports
Colombo, Galle Harbor, Hambantota, Kankesanturai, Trincomalee Harbor, and Batticaloa Roads
very small
1
total ports
6 (2024)
size unknown
2
ports with oil terminals
2
Airports
18 (2025)
Railways
total
1,562 km (2016)
broad gauge
1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
96 (2023)
by type
5 bulk carriers, 15 general cargo vessels, 11 oil tankers, and 65 other types
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4R
Military & Security
Military - note
The military of Sri Lanka is tasked with external defense, maritime security, and the maintenance of internal order. It has deployed small contingents for United Nations peacekeeping operations. Between 1983 and 2009, the military engaged in a conflict against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which involved guerrilla tactics, conventional warfare, acts of terrorism, and human rights violations, resulting in approximately 30,000 military fatalities. Following the conclusion of the war, a significant segment of the Army is reported to remain stationed in the predominantly Tamil northern and eastern regions. Over the past decade, the military has also expanded its involvement in various commercial industries, including agriculture, hospitality, leisure, and food services.
Sri Lanka has historically maintained strong security relations with India, with joint military exercises and India providing training for about 1,000 Sri Lankan soldiers annually. In recent times, Sri Lanka has enhanced its military collaboration with China, which includes the procurement of military hardware, hosting naval visits, and sending personnel to China for training (2025).
Military deployments
120 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 130 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Sri Lanka Armed Forces: Sri Lanka Army (which encompasses the National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (including the Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, and Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard)
Ministry of Public Security: Sri Lanka Police (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Typically, the age for voluntary military service for both men and women ranges from 18 to 24 years, although the maximum age limits may differ by branch of service, specific roles, and specialties; there is no conscription (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's weaponry predominantly originates from China, India, Russia/Soviet Union, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
An estimated total of 210,000 active Armed Forces (comprising 140,000 Army; 25,000 Air Force; 45,000 Navy) (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
5,549 (2024 est.)
refugees
500 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
229 (2024 est.)
