Country Profile: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, south of India, with a rich history that dates back to ancient kingdoms and colonial rule. The population, estimated at over 22 million in 2025, is predominantly Sinhalese, alongside Tamils and Moors, with Buddhism as the primary religion. Economically, Sri Lanka has faced significant challenges, including a severe contraction and high inflation, leading to a reliance on tourism and remittances. The country operates as a presidential republic, with recent political instability prompting significant governance changes.

Geography

Sri Lanka is strategically positioned in Southern Asia, with a total area of approximately 65,610 sq km, slightly larger than West Virginia. The country's coastline measures 1,340 km, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, characterized by a tropical monsoon climate. Most of the landscape comprises low, flat to rolling plains, with mountainous regions in the south-central area.

Highest Point: Pidurutalagala at 2,524 m
Mean Elevation: 228 m
Natural Resources: Includes limestone, graphite, gems, and hydropower
Land Use: 48.6% agricultural land (2023 est.)
Forest Coverage: 34.4% (2023 est.)
Population Distribution: Mainly in the southwest and urban centers along the east coast

People and Society

Sri Lanka's estimated population is 22,050,561 in 2025, with a demographic structure highlighting a youthful population, where 22.6% are aged 0-14 years. The Sinhalese ethnic group comprises 74.9% of the population, and the official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. The country has a relatively high literacy rate of 92.7% and a life expectancy of 76.8 years.

Ethnic Composition: Sinhalese 74.9%, Tamil 11.2%
Religious Demographics: Buddhism 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%
Urban Population: 19.2% (2023 est.)
Median Age: 34.2 years (2025 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 0.22% (2025 est.)
Maternal Mortality Ratio: 18 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Economy

The Sri Lankan economy has been under strain recently, facing a contraction of -2.3% in 2023. The country saw inflation rise dramatically to 16.5% in the same year, significantly impacting the cost of living. The GDP is projected to recover slightly to $301.407 billion (PPP) by 2024, with a heavy reliance on agriculture, services, and tourism.

Real GDP Growth Rate: 5% (2024 est.)
GDP per Capita: $13,800 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate: -0.4% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 14.3% (2019 est.)
Exports: $17.327 billion (2023 est.)

Government

Sri Lanka is a democratic socialist republic with a presidential system. The current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, took office in September 2024. The country has a unicameral parliament consisting of 225 members, and suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and over, ensuring universal voting rights.

Capital: Colombo (commercial) and Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative)
Constitution: Adopted on August 16, 1978
Administrative Divisions: 9 provinces
Political Parties: Includes National People's Power (NPP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)

Military and Security

Sri Lanka maintains a robust military structure comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 210,000 active personnel as of 2025. The military budget accounts for 1.5% of GDP in 2024, reflecting the nation's ongoing commitment to security amidst historical challenges.

Military Personnel: 210,000 active (2025)
Military Expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Major Equipment Source: Primarily from China, India, and Russia
Peacekeeping Deployments: 120 in Central African Republic; 130 in Lebanon

Energy

Sri Lanka boasts a total electrification rate of 100% as of 2022. The electricity generation mix comprises a significant portion from hydroelectric sources, with fossil fuels accounting for almost half of the capacity.

Installed Capacity: 5.326 million kW (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption: 12.372 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Hydroelectricity Share: 40.7% of capacity (2023 est.)
Petroleum Consumption: 100,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Sri Lanka include deforestation, soil erosion, and coastal degradation, often exacerbated by urbanization. The country's commitment to various international environmental agreements demonstrates a focus on addressing these challenges.

Deforestation Rate: Significant due to agriculture and urban expansion
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 19.153 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal Solid Waste: 2.632 million tons generated annually (2024 est.)
Recycling Rate: 24.5% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Sri Lanka has a well-developed transportation infrastructure, including both rail and road systems. The total railway network spans 1,562 km, and there are 18 airports serving both domestic and international travel.

Airports: 18 (2025)
Merchant Marine Fleet: 96 vessels (2023)
Total Railway Length: 1,562 km (2016)

Communications

The telecommunications landscape in Sri Lanka is evolving, with mobile cellular subscriptions exceeding 30 million by 2024. Over 51% of the population is estimated to use the Internet.

Fixed Line Subscriptions: 1.707 million (2023)
Internet Users: 51% of the population (2023 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 30.6 million (2024)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	22,050,561 (2025 est.)
Area	65,610 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$301.407 billion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	12.372 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	14.38 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	76.8 years (2024 est.)