Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. Tens of thousands have died in an ethnic conflict that continues to fester. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam formalized a cease-fire in February 2002, with Norway brokering peace negotiations.

The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo and the climate is tropical (hot and wet). The unemployment rate is approximately 8% and 22% of the population is below the poverty line.

POPULATION
Population of the country is 20,064,776 (July 2005 est.) with a population growth rate of 0.79% (2005 est.).

ETHNIC GROUPS
Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)

LANGUAGE
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%. English is commonly used in government and is spoken competently by about 10% of the population

RELIGION
Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)

CURRENCY
The local currency used is Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

Foreign currency must be changed only at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels, and these establishments must endorse such exchanges on the visitor’s Exchange Control D form, which is issued on arrival and must usually be returned at the time of departure.

All major credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

The rate of exchange for travelers’ cheques is better than the rate of exchange for cash. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travelers’ cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

VISA AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All tourists visiting Sri Lanka need to apply for a visa, except nationals of the following 77 countries, who will be issued with visas free of charge for a period of 30 days on arrival at Colombo Airport.

Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic Denmark, Doha Qatar, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgystan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia-Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, U.A.E., U.K., U.S.A., Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

Source: http://www.immigration.gov.lk/html/visa/fees.html#SATOP

To apply for a tourist visa, submit your passport, completed application form, two passport-size photos signed on the back by applicant, visa fee, proof of sufficient funds (minimum US$30 per day) for duration of stay and return or onward ticket. Visas are valid for up to three months. Visitors can request to extend their stay by applying to the Department of Immigration & Emigration when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Extension of visas is issued at the discretion of the authorities who must be satisfied that the applicant has at least US$30 per day for the stay and holds an onward or return ticket for travel.

For more information regarding visa applications and procedures, visit website http://www.immigration.gov.lk/html/visa/fees.html or inquire directly with the Sri Lankan Embassies or Consulates (http://www.srilankatourism.org/missionsos.asp?offset=0) located in/ near your country.

AIRPORT TAX
An embarkation tax of Rs. 1,000 is payable at the Bandaranaike International Airport. No departure tax required.

ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Sri Lanka is 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are usual.

TAP WATER
Do not drink tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered, or chemically disinfected. Drink bottled water with the seal intact. Avoid having ice put in your drinks, except in large international hotels where it is usually safe.

VACCINATIONS
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless coming from or passing through an infected area (e.g A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving within six days from infected areas). It is advisable to check for updated health recommendations regarding typhoid, cholera, malaria etc before your departure to Sri Lanka.

CLIMATE
Tropical climate. Upland areas are cooler and more temperate, and coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. There are two monsoons, which occur May to July and December to January.

TIME
GMT +6

CLOTHING
Lightweights and rainwear.

Sources:
CIA world fact book, August 2005
Sri Lanka Country Guide
Sri Lanka Tourism

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