Overview
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island nation in South Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean southwest of the Bay of Bengal. Formerly known as Ceylon, the country is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Its strategic maritime position places it within reach of the Maldives to the southwest and India to the northwest, while the Bay of Bengal connects it to Bangladesh and Myanmar to the northeast, as well as India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the east.
Capital and Major Cities
Sri Lanka has a somewhat unique administrative arrangement, with governmental functions divided between two cities. Colombo serves as the country's executive and judicial capital and is also its largest city, functioning as the political, financial, and cultural hub of the nation. Nearby, the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte holds the distinction of being the legislative capital, home to the country's parliament.
Population and Ethnic Composition
Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 22 million people, reflecting a rich tapestry of ethnicities and cultures. The demographic makeup includes:
- Sinhalese – approximately 74% of the population, who speak the Sinhala language
- Tamils – around 15% of the population, who speak the Tamil language
- Moors – a long-established ethnic and religious community
- Indian Tamils – descendants of laborers brought to the island during the colonial era
- Burghers – a community of mixed European and Sri Lankan descent
- Malays – a smaller ethnic group with historical roots in the region
- Chinese – a long-standing community contributing to the island's diversity
- Vedda – considered the island's indigenous people
This diversity of ethnic groups and languages has shaped Sri Lanka's cultural identity, contributing to its distinctive traditions, cuisine, and social fabric.