Previously known as Ceylon, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a South Asian island country. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Several smaller islands are part of Sri Lanka, most of which are inhabited.
It is believed that a land bridge once connected Sri Lanka with India. In 14890 AD, a cyclone deepened the channel, and now only a chain of limestone shoals remain above the water. The south-central portion of the main island is mountainous, while the remainder of the island consists of coastal plains.
Sri Lanka has more than a hundred rivers, the longest being the Mahaweli River. Within these rivers are fifty-one natural waterfalls. Sri Lanka also contains forty-five estuaries and forty lagoons.
Sri Lanka includes several national parks and nature reserves, some of them quite large. There are also several natural rainforests, one of the most popular being Bodhinagala Forest Reserve, which is set in an old Buddhist monastery. Native species of animals include Asian elephants, leopards, and sloth bears, as well as a host of colorful birds.
The weather changes as you move about the island. Being in the Indian Ocean, its overall climate is tropical and warm, but in the south-central region of the main island, the terrain is mountainous and the climate is colder and wetter. Temperatures are warmer in the northeastern coastal regions.
Sri Lanka has two seasons rather than four. For the most part, there is a wet season and there is a dry season, with the wet season known as the monsoon season. To complicate matters, each part of the island has a dry and a wet season in correlation to the other part of the island. From October to February, Sri Lanka has the northeastern monsoon, which mostly affects the northeastern region of the island. From May to August is the southwestern monsoon, which affects the southwestern portion of the island, at which time the northeastern part of the island gets a respite. There are not generally any monsoons between February and May, or from August to October, although that doesn't mean that it cannot rain during this period. Sri Lanka also experiences typhoons, but these can generally be predicted ahead of time.
Administratively, Sri Lanka is divided into nine provinces, each of which exercises a degree of autonomy. These provinces are the Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, and Western.
The Central Province is a popular tourist region. It includes the ancient city of Kandy, the last capital of the ancient kings, the capital of the Central Province, and home to one of the most sacred Buddhist temples. The Central Province is in the mountainous region of Sri Lanka and includes waterfalls, tea plantations, nature reserves, and camping areas.
The Eastern Province is known for its beaches, popular resorts, and surfing opportunities.
The North Central Province includes several historical sites, as ancient kingdoms were based in this part of the island. Tourists often visit the North Central Province before continuing on to Kandy.
The Northern Province doesn't see as many tourists as most other parts of the island, largely because this part of the island was badly affected by the civil war, and there are unexploded landmines there yet. The Sri Lankan military is working to clear the region up, however.
Sri Lanka's North Western Province is home to its largest national park, the Wilpattu National Park, and is a popular region for those interested in island wildlife. Dolphin and whale spotting may be done from this region, as well.
The Sabaragamuwa Province is one of Sri Lanka's interior provinces, situated in the central-southwestern part of the island. Its capital city is Ratnapura and the center of long-established ruby and sapphire mines. There are also forest reserves and national parks in this province.
The Southern Province is another historical region, and home to the ancient cities of Kirinda and Tissamaharama, as well as the holy city of Kataragama. Although Galle is also an ancient city, very little of it survived the Portuguese invasion. The Southern Province also has several national parks, Yala being the most popular.
Uva Province is the second-least populated and, being in the mountainous region, it is one of the coolest parts of the island. It is known for its spiritual retreats. A portion of Yala National Park is in Uva.
Another popular tourist region is the Western Province, largely because of its capital city, Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka. Because of its large harbor, Colombo was known to ancient traders two thousand years ago.
Topics related to businesses, organizations, schools, religious institutions or other entities in Sri Lanka are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
CBSL is the central monetary authority for the People's Republic of Sri Lanka. Established in 1950, the CBSL is charged with conducting monetary policy as well as developing policies promoting financial inclusion, and has a degree of authority over the country's financial system. Policy information and statements are posted to the site, and an introduction to Sri Lanka's financial system are set forth, laws pertaining to monetary policy, statistics, and an introduction to its notes and coins.
https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/
Department of Census and Statistics - Sri Lanka
The official governmental department is charged with conducting the population census in Sri Lanka, and compiling statistics pertaining to the country's population and associated demographics, which may be viewed through its website, along with the acts and policies creating or regulating the functions of the department, a calendar of events, and links to other government departments and agencies.
http://www.statistics.gov.lk/
Department of Posts - Sri Lanka
Also known as DoP SL or Sri Lanka Post, the government operated postal system in Sri Lanka has been in operation since 1798, when the Dutch colonial rulers started five post offices in the coastal districts under their control, although it was not originally intended for public use. Today, the department offers normal and international postal services, courier services, bill payments, exam fee payments, and other services and functions, which are highlighted here, including its online services.
http://www.slpost.gov.lk/?lang=en
The German federal foreign office offers services to German citizens in Sri Lanka, such as visa and passport issues, emergency notifications, and emergency assistance, as well as providing help to Sri Lankans wanting to attend school in Germany, to visit or emigrate to Germany, or to do business in Germany. The embassy location is posted, along with office hours and contacts, and information about German policies toward Sri Lanka, economic issues, and cultural issues are put forth.
https://colombo.diplo.de/lk-en
Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the search engine optimization and search engine marketing firm specializes in SEO services, which may include direct responsibility for developing a business SEO strategy, SEO consultant services, other digital marketing services, and training courses on the art of search engine optimization and marketing. Its services are described in detail, some of its clients are introduced, and a promotional video and a blog are included.
http://www.seosrilanka.net/
The Sri Lanka Customs Administration is a department under the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media responsible for the collection of revenue, fraud prevention, facilitating legitimate trade, compiling import and export data, and cooperating with other government departments on issues related to imports and exports. Information about customs for individuals and businesses are set forth, along with an overview of the department, its directorate and divisions are included.
http://www.customs.gov.lk/
With a focus on tourism in the nation of Sri Lanka, this site acts as a portal to resource related to tourism in the island country, including the Ministry of Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, each of which is accessible from this site.
http://www.srilankatourism.org/
Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society
The SLWCS is a US-based international organization engaged in research, conservation, and the protection of the wildlife and natural habitat of Sri Lanka. Its mission, background, and board are identified, along with membership policies, contributory and volunteer opportunities, and an overview of its projects and issues. Media presentations are included, along with a newsletter, announcements, and contacts.
http://www.slwcs.org/
The flag carrier of Sri Lanka began as Air Lanka in 1979, and offers air service to more than forty destinations from its chief hub in Bandaranaike International Airport, also offering cargo services through its subsidiary, SrikLankan Cargo, to ten destinations. Its site offers information specific to the viewer's place of origin. Schedules, arrivals and departures, special offers, and online booking of air transport and hotel services are featured.
http://www.srilankan.com/
Published by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, a government corporation, the Sunday Observer is an English-language weekly newspaper offering national and world news, opinion columns and editorials, business reports, sports stories, and features relating to education, employment, and other topics. Headline articles are published online and a representation of its print paper may be viewed through the site, including archives.
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/
The United States Central Intelligence Agency presents its analysis of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including maps showing the location of the country and its major cities, some photographs, a profile of the country, and information about its geography, people, society, government, economy, energy, communications, transportation, military and security, terrorism, and its relations with other countries.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ce.html
