SRI LANKA -
Island country in the Indian Ocean, off the southeastern coast of India. Area: 25,332 sq mi (65,610 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 20,743,000. Capitals: Colombo (executive), Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative and judicial). About three-fourths of the population is Sinhalese; other ethnic groups include Tamils and Muslims. Languages: Sinhala, Tamil (both official); also English. Religions: Buddhism; also Hinduism, Islam, Christianity. Currency: Sri Lanka rupee. Highlands make up Sri Lanka's south-central region and core, with narrow gorges and deep river valleys. The surrounding lowlands include hills and fertile plains. The developing mixed economy is largely based on agriculture, services, and light industries. Clothing, tea, gemstones, and rubber are exported. The island is world-famous for its gemstones, which include sapphires, rubies, and topaz. It is also a major producer of high-grade graphite. Sri Lanka is a republic with one legislative house; its head of state and government is the president, assisted by the prime minister. The Sinhalese people are probably the result of aboriginal inhabitants mixing with Indo-Aryans who began migrating from India c. the 5th century BC. The Tamils were later immigrants from Dravidian India, migrating over a period from the early centuries AD to c. 1200. Buddhism was introduced during the 3rd century BC. As Buddhism spread, the Sinhalese kingdom extended its political control over the island but lost it to invaders from southern India in the 10th century. Between 1200 and 1505, Sinhalese power gravitated to southwestern Sri Lanka, while a southern Indian dynasty seized power in the north and established the Tamil kingdom in the 14th century. Foreign invasions from India, China, and Malaya occurred in the 13th – 15th centuries. In 1505 the Portuguese arrived, and by 1619 they controlled most of the island. The Sinhalese enlisted the Dutch to help oust the Portuguese, and the island eventually came under the control of the Dutch East India Company, which relinquished it in 1796 to the British. In 1802 it became the British crown colony of Ceylon, which gained independence in 1948. It became the Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972 and took its present name in 1978. Civil strife between Tamil and Sinhalese groups has beset the country since the early 1980s, the Tamils demanding a separate autonomous state in northern Sri Lanka. In 2004 Sri Lanka was struck by a tsunami that badly damaged much of the coastline and killed tens of thousands of people.
People are good but due to civil war between Tamils and Lankans the position is now vry bad and unsafe place.-
2007-08-27 04:05:34
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answer #1
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answered by Jayaraman 7
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You must be American. If you've never heard of Sri Lanka look up "Ceylon" --- its name during British rule.
It's an island at the southern tip of India. Climate is tropical but can be quite cold in the hill districts.
The Sinhalese (Buddhists) are in the majority. The Tamils (Hindus) want independence and are fighting for it (heard of the Tamil Tigers?)
If you are thinking of visiting Sri (pronounced "Shri") Lanka keep to the southwest area of the island where the Sinhalese are in power. Your safety is not assured in the northeast.
The capital is Colombo.
2007-08-27 01:31:18
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answer #2
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answered by george 4
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Sri Lanka is a part of the Commonwealth. It was called Ceylon. It's main export is Tea (Dilmah). It is a 3rd world country with violence. They have a pretty good cricket team.
2007-08-27 01:01:21
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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sri lanka is a tear-drop shaped island south of india.
the tsunami back in 2005 devastated the north part of the country
nice place to visit. people are very friendly.
2007-08-29 07:28:34
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answer #4
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answered by anjali 3
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hey dude Sri lanka is a very beautiful and historical country and people are in here is so nice.
if u like to travel in SL contact me
2007-08-27 01:06:27
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Sri Lanka is properly understand for sapphires, and likely, different geographical digs. i've got met individuals from there. i'm hoping you weren't laid low with the tsunami Dec. twenty fourth. it sort of feels like it could be a relaxing place to flow to.
2016-12-12 12:47:46
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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Yes, it used to be known as Ceylon. And the dominative race is Singhalese. It is a country near India.
2007-08-27 01:01:32
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answer #7
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answered by Hardrock 6
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a big island country
great place for a beach holiday and it a Commonwealth member
have a bit of long civil war going on at the northern tip
2007-08-27 01:04:41
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answer #8
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answered by kimht 6
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yeah ive heard of it, i used to know a guy from there, he and his family were pretty nice
2007-08-27 01:00:24
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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The rest has given you the ans.. so i show you photos.
:)
2007-08-27 16:14:34
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answer #10
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answered by QingAiDe 3
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