Sri Lanka country profile - Key facts

Elephant at templeAFP

A Sri Lankan mahout and a temple elephant take part in a ceremony

  • Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

  • Population: 21.2 million (UN, 2012)

  • Capital: Colombo (commercial), Sri Jayawardenepura (administrative)

  • Largest city: Colombo

  • Area: 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq miles)

  • Major languages: Sinhala, Tamil, English

  • Major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity

  • Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 78 years (women) (UN)

  • Monetary unit: Sri Lankan rupee

  • Main exports: Clothing and textiles, tea, gems, rubber, coconuts

  • GNI per capita: US $3,170 (World Bank, 2013)

  • Internet domain: .lk

  • International dialling code: +94