Area:
65,610 sq km
Population:
20.482.000 (2004)
Population density:
312 per sq km
Capital:
Sri Jayewardenepura (seat of government)
Population:
120.800 (2004)
Colombo: (de facto capital).
Population: 669,700 (2004)
Geography:
The island of Sri Lanka is located off the coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which the Adam’s Bridge island chain is located. Sri Lanka’s landscape is unusual, with low-lying coastal plains stretching inland from the north and west coasts. The central and southern areas rise to hills and mountains. The highest elevation is Pidurutalagala (2524 m).
Form of government:
Socialist presidential republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1978. Constitution of 1978, last amended in 1987. Head of state and government: Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, since 1994, Prime Minister: Mahinda Rajapakse, since 2004. Independent since 1948 (former British colony).
Language:
The official language is Sinhala (74%) and the national language is Tamil (18%). English is the language of trade and education (10%). Malay is also spoken.
Religion:
Buddhism (70%); Hindu (15%), Christian (8%) and Muslim (7%) minorities.
Local time:
CET+5 (UTC+6)
Mains voltage:
230/240 V, 50 Hz. Three-pin round plugs and bayonet bulbs
Phone:
International direct dialing in major cities. Phone cards are available in post offices and in shops located near public telephones.
Country code:
94
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Mobile phone companies include Celltel Lanka (Internet: http://www.celltel.lk/), Lanka Bell (Internet: http://www.lankabell.net/) and MTN Networks (Internet: http://www.dialog.lk/).
Fax service:
There are in the larger hotels and at the main post office in Colombo, Duke Street.
Internet/E-Mail:
Main provider: Sri Lanka Web Server (Internet: www.lanka.net/home). Internet cafés can be found in the larger cities.
Post:
Airmail to Europe takes 10-14 days on its way. There are post offices in every town and village, as well as private courier services in most major cities. For more information, please contact the main post office, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 10, Tel: 32 62 03, opposite the Presidential Palace. Always send postcards from the post office counter and make sure that the stamp is stamped. Hotels also provide information on postal charges. Mail storage is possible. The main post office is open day and night for the sale of stamps and for local calls.
Deutsche Welle:
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to request the current frequencies directly from Deutsche Welle’s customer service (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: http://www.dw-world.de/).

The specialty in Sri Lanka is a simple curry dish prepared with coconut milk, onion slices, chilli, aromatic spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and saffron.

Hoppers resemble half a toasted bun with a soft fried egg.

Stringhoppers are steamed noodles made from rice flour, slightly thinner than spaghetti.

Jaggery, a kind of caramel candy made from the juice of the kitul palm, is also delicious.
Drinks:
The national drink is tea, which is one of the best in the world.

Toddy (palm juice) is a popular drink. If this is fermented, you get arrack, which is available in different alcohol strengths.

No alcohol is served on the Poya holiday (every full moon).
Nightlife
Some hotels in Colombo have restaurants with dance music.

There are theaters, cinemas with American films, ballet performances and concerts.
Shopping tips
Objects made of silver, brass, ceramics, wood and terracotta, as well as baskets made of cane, straw hats, reed mats, ebony elephants and drums.
Opening hours of the shops:
Mon-Fri 09.00-17.30, Sat 09.00-13.00. Many shops are also open on Saturday mornings.