Country data

Location: South Asia

Time zone: CET + 4.5 (during summer time: CET + 3.5)

Total area: 65,610 km²

Land area: 64,630 km²

Water area: 980 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 1,340 km

Capital: Colombo

Provinces: 9
Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western

Electric current: 240 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 94 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Population

Population: approx. 21.9 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 0.9% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 334

Life expectancy: 73 (male), 80 (female)

Official language: Sinhala, Tamil

Religions:

• 69% Buddhists
• 8% Muslim
• 7% Hindu
• 16% other

Climate

• tropical climate
• there are no distinct seasons recognizable
• it is much cooler in the mountains than in the plains
• Rain falls especially in the second half of the year

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR)

Classification: 1 rupee = 100 cents

ATMs: Available in most major cities.

International credit cards: These are only accepted by larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is allowed in the amount of the declared import minus the exchanged amounts.

The local currency can be imported and exported up to an amount of 1,000 rupees.

All exchange receipts must be kept in a safe place until departure, as there are often controls.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Valuable pieces of jewelery and technical devices must be declared upon entry.

Articles made from protected animal and plant species may not be imported.

The export of antiques is only permitted with a special permit.

Travel advice

The north and east of the country should be avoided when traveling, as there have been violent conflicts here in recent times.

Due to construction work, air traffic at Bandaranaike International Airport currently only takes place at certain times. Please inquire with the airline in good time about the actual departure time of your flight.

Behavioral advice

After dark you shouldn’t be out at night.

There are frequent police checks, during which the instructions should be followed.

Photographing military installations and uniformed people is not permitted.

Economy

More than half of the population is employed in agriculture. Rubber, coconuts and, above all, tea are produced there for export.

The industrial upswing is slow to start because the political situation in the country is very unstable.

Industries: Oil production, rubber production, agriculture, tobacco production, textiles

Natural resources: precious stones, graphite, limestone, phosphates

Land use:

• Land: 14%
• Grain cultivation: 15%
• Pasture area: 7%
• Forests: 32%
• other: 32%

Plants

For nature lovers, Sri Lanka is a very nice travel destination. Many different types of plants, grass, bushes and trees grow all over the island.

The Bodhi tree, the oldest tree on earth, also grows there.

Animals

Especially in the nature reserves there is still a diverse fauna. Hundreds of bird species, insects and many large mammals live in Sri Lanka.

The protection of the animal world is still taken very seriously here.