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Prakhar Gupta has 4+ years of experience in Content Marketing Field. 

Content Marketing Specialist

Hey aspirant, welcome back to our captivating “Know your Country” series. This time, We welcome you to embark on a journey to explore the distinctive characteristics of Sri Lanka, a nation with its own unique identity. Sri Lanka is a developing country, ranking 73rd on the Human Development Index. It is the highest-ranked South Asian nation in terms of development.

Sri Lanka is known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. Sri Lanka historically known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia. Originally called Lanka, a word that simply means 'island', then 'Taprobane' by the Greeks, 'Serendib' by the Arabs, 'Celao' by the Portuguese. Before looking at different aspects, one must know the country symbols of the particular country. The country symbols of Sri Lanka are:

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:300px">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">Sri Lanka</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Official Name
			</td>
			<td>
			Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Capital
			</td>
			<td>
			Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/ Colombo
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Continent
			</td>
			<td>
			Asia
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			President
			</td>
			<td>
			Ranil Wickremesinghe
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Prime Minister
			</td>
			<td>
			Dinesh Gunawardena
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Currency
			</td>
			<td>
			Sri Lankan Rupee
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Language
			</td>
			<td>
			Sinhala and Tamil, and English 
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			Religion
			</td>
			<td>
			Hindus, Muslims, and Christians
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Flag
			</td>
			<td>
			<img alt="National Flag of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/National Flag of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:100px; width:200px">
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Anthem
			</td>
			<td>
			Namo Namo Matha
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Game
			</td>
			<td>
			Volleyball
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Bird
			</td>
			<td>
			Jungle fowl
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Tree
			</td>
			<td>
			Ironwood
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Flower
			</td>
			<td>
			Blue water lily flower
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>
			National Animal
			</td>
			<td>
			Sri Lankan Elephant
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

 

<img alt="Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: Expedia]

So now, let’s move on the first aspect of the blog i.e. History of Sri Lanka.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-0">History of Sri Lanka</h2>

The history of Sri Lanka is unique because the relevance and richness of it extends beyond the areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. The early human remains which were found on the island of Sri Lanka date back to about 38,000 years ago.

<h3>Ancient and Early Medieval Period:</h3>

Early history recorded in Buddhist scriptures refers to three visits by the Buddha to the island to see the Naga Kings, snakes that can take the form of a human at will. The earliest surviving chronicles from the island, the Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa, say that Yakkhas, Nagas, Rakkhas and Devas inhabited the island prior to the migration of Indo Aryans.

<h3>Medieval Period:</h3>

Sri Lanka's documented history goes back 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements that dates back 125,000 years. The earliest known Buddhist writings of Sri Lanka, known collectively as the Pali canon, date to the fourth Buddhist council, which took place in 29 BCE.

<h3>Colonial Period:</h3>

The British Ceylon period is the history of Sri Lanka between 1815 and 1948. It follows the fall of the Kandyan Kingdom into the hands of the British Empire. It ended over 2300 years of Sinhalese monarchy rule on the island. In 1803, the British invaded the Kingdom of Kandy in the first Kandyan War, but were repulsed. In 1815 Kandy was annexed in the second Kandyan War, finally ending Sri Lankan independence.

<img alt="History of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/History of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: ThePrint]

However, Independence was finally granted in 1948 but the country remained a Dominion of the British Empire until 1972. In 1972, Sri Lanka assumed the status of a Republic. A constitution was introduced in 1978 which made the Executive President the head of state.

<h3>Independence and Beyond:</h3>

Sri Lanka 60 Years of “Independence” and Beyond is a collection of articles exploring the complex issues that underpin Sri Lanka's history since its “independence” in 1948 - a period dominated by conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamil people of the island. The Sri Lankan Civil War began in 1983, including Insurrections in 1971 and 1987, with the 25-year-long civil war ending in 2009.

Before going further we will get discuss about the events of the country.

<h3>Here is the timeline of some key events in Sri Lanka:</h3>

<ul>
	<li>10,000 BC: Sri Lanka’s first Stone Age culture emerges.</li>
	<li>543 BC: Death of the Buddha in India and arrival of Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, led by Prince Vijaya.</li>
	<li>1073: Capital transferred to Polonnaruwa. Religious foundations and irrigation works.</li>
	<li>1656: Dutch arrive and oust Portuguese after both land and sea battles.</li>
	<li>1815: The last Sinhalese king, Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, deposed and exiled.</li>
	<li>1867: First commercial planting of tea and construction of first railway line, from Colombo to Kandy.</li>
	<li>1919: Foundation of Ceylon National Congress, first nationalist political party.</li>
	<li>1948: Independence declared.</li>
	<li>1959: Prime minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike assassinated by Buddhist monk.</li>
	<li>1960: Mrs Bandaranaike becomes world’s first female prime minister.</li>
	<li>1971: Armed rebellion by Maoist JVP in south leaves thousands dead.</li>
	<li>1972: Country changes its name from Ceylon to Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>

The timeline showcases Sri Lanka as a rich and diverse history in a simple way. Let’s move on to the next aspect of this blog i.e. Geographical Aspects.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-1">Geographical Aspects of Sri Lanka</h2>

The geography of Sri Lanka can roughly be divided into three zones based on elevation: the central highlands, the plains and the coastal belt. Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island country lying in the Indian Ocean and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait. It is located between latitudes 5°55′ and 9°51′ N and longitudes 79°41′ and 81°53′ E and has a maximum length of 268 miles (432 km) and a maximum width of 139 miles (224 km).

<h3>Demographical Aspects:</h3>

Sri Lanka has witnessed rapid demographic transition since the middle 20th century. Sri Lanka's population is aging faster than any other nation in South Asia and has the fifth highest rapidly growing population of older. Sri Lanka's rapidly growing older population has ignited concerns of the socio-economic challenges that the country will face because of this.

By the end of the civil war, the population had reached more than 21 million, but its growth rate remained below 1 percent well after the war. The population is young. About one-fourth of the population is under the age of 15, and nearly half of the population is under the age of 30. Life expectancy is 81 years for women and 74 years for men.

<img alt="Geographical Aspects of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Geographical Aspects of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: HubPages]

<h3>Soil and Vegetation:</h3>

Most of the soils of Sri Lanka are potentially suitable for some kind of agricultural use. However, depletion of the natural fertility of the soil has occurred extensively, especially on the rugged terrain of the highlands, owing to poor soil conservation. The climatic influences are reflected in the dominance of red-yellow podzolic soils (leached lateritic soils) in the Wet Zone and of reddish brown earths (nonlateritic loamy soils) in the Dry Zone.

Most of Sri Lanka’s climax vegetation cover has been heavily depleted by extensive clearing of forests for settlements, extraction of timber, and agriculture. Only the Sinharaja forest and the Peak Wilderness of the southwestern interior remain as significant remnants of the Wet Zone’s original evergreen forests. 

<h3>Climate and Weather:</h3>

Sri Lanka’s tropical location ensures perennially high temperatures, with monthly averages between 72 °F and 92 °F in the lowlands. In the Central Highlands, higher altitudes account for lower temperatures, with monthly averages between 44 °F and 71 °F.

Unlike many other Asian destinations, Sri Lanka can lay genuine claim to being a year-round holiday destination. You just have to know which side of the island to focus on in any given month, and this is never more important than when planning your beach destination.

Now, let’s look at the political aspects of Sri Lanka.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-2">Political Aspects of Sri Lanka</h2>

Sri Lanka is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Sri Lanka is both head of state and head of government, and it relies on a multi-party system. The Provincial Councils have full statute making power with respect to the Provincial Council List, and shared statute making power respect to the Concurrent List. While all matters set out in the Reserved List are under the central government.

<ul>
	<li>Legislature: The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the highest law making authority in the country and its members are elected by the people of Sri Lanka. The President of Sri Lanka has the power to summon, suspend, prorogue, or terminate a legislative session and to dissolve the Parliament.</li>
	<li>Judiciary: The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court, district court, magistrate's court, and primary courts. Although provisions are there for trials for serious offenses to be held before a jury, at present all cases are heard before professional judges.</li>
	<li>Executive: Executive power is exercised by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Legislative power is vested in the Parliament. For decades, the party system was dominated by the socialist Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the conservative United National Party.</li>
</ul>

<img alt="Political Aspects of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Political Aspects of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: East Asia Forum]

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the highest law making authority in the country and its members are elected by the people of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka elects on the national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five-year term by the people. The Parliament has 225 members, elected for a five-year term, and 196 members elected in multi-seat constituencies.

So now, let’s look at the Culture of Sri Lanka.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-3">Culture of Sri Lanka</h2>

Sri Lankan culture has long been influenced by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed on from India, and the religion's legacy is particularly strong in Sri Lanka's southern and central regions. South Indian cultural influences are especially pronounced in the northernmost reaches of the country.

<h3>Language:</h3>

Sinhala is one of the official and national languages of Sri Lanka. Along with Pali, it played a major role in the development of Theravada Buddhist literature. Tamil is Sri Lanka's second official language, spoken by about five million people on the island, which is about 15 percent of the population.

<h3>Cuisine:</h3>

Sri Lankan cuisine is known for its particular combinations of herbs, spices, fish, vegetables, rices, and fruits. The cuisine is highly centered on common ingredients.

<h3>Festivals:</h3>

There are so many different festivals celebrate in Sri Lanka. Duruthu Poya marks the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka and is celebrated in January and Poson Poya Pongal, National Day, Maha Shivaratri Day, Sinhala and Tamil New Year's these all are celebrated.

<h3>Performing Art:</h3>

The kandyan dance is highly sophisticated and refined. It flourished under the Kandyan kings from the 16th through the 19th centuries, and today it is considered the national dance of Sri Lanka. It has four distinct varieties: The pantheru, naiyadi, udekki, and ves.

<h3>Sporting Culture:</h3>

Sport in Sri Lanka is a significant part of Sri Lankan culture. Although the Sports Ministry named volleyball the national sport, the most popular sport is Cricket. Rugby union is also popular. Other popular sports are water sports, badminton, athletics, football, basketball and tennis.

<h3>Art and Craft:</h3>

Traditional Sri Lankan crafts are vital industries in many parts of the island, and include: drum making; mat weaving; hand loom; wood carving and mask making. As one of the oldest crafts in Sri Lanka, pottery is still very popular and is an essential item in every household.

<h3>Cultural values:</h3>

Sri Lankans enjoy a unique, humble and artistic lifestyle and they deeply enjoy entertaining and touching hearts with their hospitality which has been known for centuries. Culture and values of Sri Lanka is based around the fusion of traditional forms of art, dance and music.

<h3>Multiculturalism:</h3>

Sri Lanka's multiculturalism is not just about festivities; it's about fostering an environment of mutual respect, understanding, and harmony. The coexistence of diverse cultures and religions within a single nation sends a powerful message of unity to the world.

<h3>Indigenous Heritage:</h3>

Intangible Culture of Sri Lanka includes folk songs and poems, folk games, traditional art and crafts, martial art, native medicine, astrology, traditional handcrafts and weaving, traditional arts, and skills and the other parts of culture that can be recorded but cannot be touched.

<img alt="Culture of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Culture of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: Rethinking the Future]

<h2 id="content-id-2559-4">Education of Sri Lanka</h2>

Sri Lanka's education structure is divided into five parts: primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, collegiate, and tertiary. Primary education lasts five years and at the end of this period, the students may elect to write a national exam called the Scholarship exam. Sri Lanka is a moderate performer in terms of its knowledge infrastructure. It ranks 79th out of 132 countries in the Global Knowledge Index 2023 and 16th out of the 28 countries with high human development.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-5">Economy of Sri Lanka</h2>

Sri Lanka exports mostly textiles and garments (52% of total exports) and tea (17%). Others include: spices, gems, coconut products, rubber and fish. The main economic sectors of the country are tourism, tea export, apparel, textile, rice production and other agricultural products. In addition to these economic sectors, overseas employment contributes highly in foreign exchange, 90% of expatriate Sri Lankans reside in the Middle East.

Hailed as the 'Spice Island', Sri Lanka has been the hotspot for the trade of spices for decades. The star of Sri Lanka's spices is the 'Ceylon Cinnamon' with its distinct aroma and unique medical properties. Sri Lanka also exports Pepper, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Cardamom, Vanilla, etc.

<img alt="Economy of Sri Lanka" src="https://study.kdcampus.live/admin/assets/uploads/ckeditor/Economy of Sri Lanka.webp" style="height:200px; width:400px">

[Source: The Times of India]

Now, let’s check out some interesting facts about Sri Lanka.

<h2 id="content-id-2559-6">Interesting Facts about Sri Lanka</h2>

Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia and is a must-visit for any travel lover. Beyond its ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, and amazing wildlife, the island nation has many other stories to uncover.

<ol>
	<li>Cinnamon: Apart from being a large tea producer, Sri Lanka is famous for its cinnamon, an indispensable ingredient for many of its fabulous food. It is said to have originated from the teardrop nation and first found by the Egyptians in 2000 BC. Today, Sri Lanka is still a leading exporter of the world's cinnamon.</li>
	<li>Ravana: Sri Lankan historians believe that the bridge was built by Ravana and was a floating structure connecting Lanka with lands in India. Sri Lankan's believe Raavan as a great king who had a great kingdom and great power.</li>
	<li>Coconut arrack: Sri Lanka is the largest producer of coconut arrack, a distilled alcoholic drink. Every morning at dawn, men known as toddy tappers move among the tops of coconut trees using connecting ropes, similar to tightropes, knocking down coconuts.</li>
</ol>

This is an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Sri Lanka is famous for producing finest tea, rubber and coconut, as well as exotic spices.

So, this is all for today. If you like this blog, do check out our blog on the country <a href="https://study.kdcampus.live/pdf/know-your-country-interesting-fact-about-bangladesh-geography-polity-national-flag.pdf">Bangladesh</a>. We will meet again with some another interesting facts about some other countries. Till then stay tuned!

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