Country Profile: Sri Lanka

Last reviewed: 31 March 2009

Country information

Area: 65,610 sq km
Population: 19.4 million (2008, UN)
Capital City: Colombo (population 2.2m)
People: 73.94% Sinhalese, 12.7% Tamil, 7.1% Muslim, 5.5% Hill Tamil, and 1.5% other
Languages: Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Religion(s): Buddhist (69.3%); Hindu (15.5%); Muslim (7.5%); Christianity (6.9%), other (0.8%)
Currency: Rupee, divided into 100 cents
Major political parties: Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) (President’s party and largest government party), United National Party (UNP) (main opposition party), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) (left wing, Sinhala nationalist), Tamil National Alliance (a coalition of Tamil parties), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) (Sinhala nationalist Buddhist party led by monks), Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) (member of the TNA), Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) (a Tamil party opposed to the LTTE), Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) (represents Hill Tamils)
Government: Unicameral Parliament with Executive Presidency
Head of State (President): His Excellency Mr Mahinda Rajapakse
Prime Minister/Premier: The Hon Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Foreign Minister: The Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama MP
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Commonwealth, The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), United Nations (UN), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G77).

HEALTH

It is recommended you seek medical advice at least six weeks before travel. Discuss your vaccination requirements with your doctor.

Malaria Prophylaxis:

Malaria is present in the whole of the country, excluding the districts of Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, and Nuwara Eliya. The risk is highest in the Eastern Province (source website of the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London www.thehtd.org).

Most of the malaria is of the Plasmodium Vivax type which is an unpleasant disease but rarely fatal. However, Plasmodium Falciparum does exist and can become rapidly fatal, so preventative measures are very important.
Prevention of Malaria depends on the following four points:

Awareness of risk when travelling to those areas affected.
Avoidance of bites. Use screens, repellents, long clothing, coils, mosquito nets and sprays to avoid mosquito bites particularly from dusk till dawn.
Prophylaxis. Taking anti malarial medication will reduce the likelihood of malaria if you do get bitten. See family doctor for prescription before travel.
Seek immediate medical attention for any fever or flu-like symptoms occurring within three months of travelling in a malaria risk area. A delay in diagnoses and treatment can be fatal. Tell your health care provider your travel history. Do not attempt to self-treat.

Next Page: Economy