South Asia.

GMT + 5.5.

65,525 sq km (25,299 sq miles).

19.4 million (UN, 2005).

296 per sq km.

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (official). Population: 115,826 (2001). Colombo (commercial). Population: 2.2 million (2005). Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is only 10km (6 miles) from Colombo.

Sri Lanka is an island off the southeast coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which lies the chain of islands called Adam’s Bridge. Sri Lanka has an irregular surface with low-lying coastal plains running inland from the northern and eastern shores. The central and southern areas slope into hills and mountains. The highest peak is Pidurutalagala (2524m/8281ft).

Executive power and legislative power are vested in the President and a single-chamber assembly respectively. The President is directly elected for a six-year term. The 255-member assembly is elected by proportional representation.

Democratic Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948. Head of State: President Mahinda Rajapakse since November 2005. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake. Recent history: A deal between Sri Lanka's Government and the Tamil Tigers was finally concluded in early 2002. Despite scepticism from many quarters and a number of serious incidents, the ceasefire held. The island’s sizeable Muslim population, who were persecuted by both sides throughout the two-decade-long conflict, was also brought into the settlement. However, as with any conflict of that length and hostility, many issues remained to be resolved, not least the future Government of the Tamil-dominated northern and eastern parts of the island and the control of aid (around $600 million has been pledged from various sources) for reconstruction and rehabilitation. All this was not helped by a serious feud between President Karamatunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, which led in November 2003 to suspension of Parliament and the dismissal of three Ministers by President Karamatunga. This political turbulence seemed to catalyse a sudden resurgence in Tamil Tiger activity in early 2004, with the Renegade Tiger commander, Karuna, orchestrating a split in the rebel movement, going underground with his supporters. Unfortunately, this culminated in a suicide bomb blast in July 2004 in Colombo, shattering the infrastructure of the peace process negotiated in 2001. This followed the replacement of Wickremesinghe at the Assembly elections, with Mahinda Rajapakse becoming Prime Minister. Presidential elections in November 2005 were closely fought but Rajapakse won narrowly in an election which saw an almost total boycott in the Tamil areas. It remains to be seen how this Government, and Sri Lanka's highly polarised Parliament, continue to confront the difficult Tamil issue.
Executive power and legislative power are vested in the President and a single-chamber Assembly, respectively. The President is directly elected for a six-year term. The 255-member Assembly is elected by proportional representation.

Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Buddhist majority (70 per cent), with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities.

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. It is customary to be offered tea when visiting and it is considered impolite to refuse. Punctuality is appreciated. A small token of appreciation, such as a souvenir from home or company, is always welcomed. Informal, Western dress is suitable, except when visiting Buddhist temples, where modest clothing should be worn (eg no bare legs and uncovered heads). Visitors should be decently clothed when visiting any place of worship, and shoes and hats must be removed. Jackets and ties are not required by men in the evenings except for formal functions when lightweight suits should be worn.

230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp fittings.