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Sri Lanka national cricket team

2023-10-12T08:18:04Z

Sunkyjay: fix

{{short description|Cricket team}}
{{about|the men's team|the women's team|Sri Lanka women's national cricket team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox cricket team
| name = Sri Lanka
| image = Sri Lanka Cricket Cap Insignia.svg
| caption =
| nickname = The Lions
| association = [[Sri Lanka Cricket]]
| test_captain = [[Dimuth Karunaratne]]
| od_captain = [[Dasun Shanaka]]
| t20i_captain = [[Dasun Shanaka]]
| coach = [[Chris Silverwood]]
| test_status_year = 1981
| icc_status = Associate Member
| icc_member_year = 1965
| icc_status2 = Full Member
| icc_member_year2 = 1981
| icc_region = [[Asian Cricket Council|Asia]]

| test_rank = 7th
| odi_rank = 8th
| t20i_rank = 8th
| test_rank_best = 2nd (2002)
| odi_rank_best = 2nd (1997)
| t20i_rank_best = 1st (2012)

| first_test = v {{cr|ENG}} at [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|P. Sara Oval]], [[Colombo]]; 17–21 February 1982
| most_recent_test = v {{cr|PAK}} at [[Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground]], [[Colombo]]; 24–27 July 2023
| num_tests = 313
| num_tests_this_year = 6
| test_record = 100/121 (92 draws)
| test_record_this_year = 2/4 (0 draws)

| wtc_apps = 2
| wtc_first = [[2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship|2019–2021]]
| wtc_best = 5th place ([[2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship|2021–2023]])

| first_odi = v {{cr|WIN}} at [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]], [[Manchester]]; 7 June 1975
| most_recent_odi = v {{cr|PAK}} at [[Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium]], [[Hyderabad]]; 10 October 2023
| num_odis = 902
| num_odis_this_year = 24
| odi_record = 413/445 (5 ties, 39 no results)
| odi_record_this_year = 14/10 (0 ties, 0 no results)

| wc_apps = 13
| wc_first = [[1975 Cricket World Cup|1975]] (1975 - 2023)
| wc_best = [[File:Simple gold cup.svg|16px]] Champions ([[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]])
| wcq_apps = 2
| wcq_first = [[1979 ICC Trophy|1979]]
| wcq_best = [[File:Simple gold cup.svg|16px]] Champions ([[1979 ICC Trophy|1979]], [[2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier|2023]])

| first_t20i = v {{cr|ENG}} at [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|The Rose Bowl]], [[Southampton]]; 15 June 2006
| most_recent_t20i = v {{cr|AFG}} at [[Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Field]], [[Hangzhou]]; 4 October 2023
| num_t20is = 180
| num_t20is_this_year = 7
| t20i_record = 79/95 (4 ties, 2 no results)
| t20i_record_this_year = 2/5 (1 ties, 0 no results)

| wt20_apps = 8
| wt20_first = [[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007]]
| wt20_best = [[File:Simple gold cup.svg|16px]] Champions ([[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014]])

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| asofdate = 10 October 2023
}}

The '''Sri Lanka men's national cricket team''', ({{lang-si|ශ්‍රී ලංකා ජාතික ක්‍රිකට් කණ්ඩායම|Shri Lanka Jathika Krikat Kandayama}}; {{lang-ta|இலங்கை தேசிய கிரிக்கெட் அணி}}) nicknamed '''The Lions''',<ref>{{cite news|title=The lion's fairy tale|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/834255/the-lion-s-fairy-tale|publisher=The Cricket Monthly by [[ESPNcricinfo]]|date=March 2015|access-date=10 July 2020|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713114650/https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/834255/the-lion-s-fairy-tale|url-status=live}}</ref> represents [[Sri Lanka]] in men's international [[cricket]]. It is a Full Member of the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC) with [[Test cricket|Test]], [[One-Day International]] (ODI) and [[T20 International]] (T20I) status.<ref>{{cite web|title=ICC Members Countries|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/icc_members/overview.php|publisher=[[International Cricket Council]] (ICC)|access-date=14 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116023632/http://www.icc-cricket.com/the-icc/icc_members/overview.php|archive-date=16 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The team first played international cricket (as Ceylon) in 1926–27 and became an associate member of ICC in 1965. They were later awarded [[Test cricket|Test]] status in 1981, which made Sri Lanka the eighth Test cricket-playing nation. The team is administered by [[Sri Lanka Cricket]].

Sri Lanka's national cricket team achieved considerable success beginning in the 1990s, rising from [[underdog (competition)|underdog]] status to winning the [[Cricket World Cup]] in [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]], under the captaincy of [[Arjuna Ranatunga]]. Since then, the team has continued to be a force in international cricket. The Sri Lankan cricket team reached the finals of the [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007]] and [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011]] [[Cricket World Cup]]s consecutively. They ended up being runners-up on both occasions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cricketworldcupinformation.com/2014/10/team-sri-lanka-at-cricket-world-cup.html | title=Team Sri Lanka at Cricket World Cups | access-date=12 November 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110043735/http://www.cricketworldcupinformation.com/2014/10/team-sri-lanka-at-cricket-world-cup.html | archive-date=10 November 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Sri Lanka won the [[Cricket World Cup]] in [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]] (vs Australia), the [[ICC Champions Trophy]] in [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002]] (co-champions with [[India national cricket team|India]]), and the [[ICC T20 World Cup]] in 2014 (vs India). They have been consecutive runners-up in the [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007]] and [[2011 Cricket World Cup]]s, and have been runners-up in the ICC T20 World Cup in [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]] and [[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012]]. The Sri Lankan cricket team currently holds several world records, including the world record for the highest team total in [[Test cricket]].

== History ==
{{main|History of the Sri Lankan cricket team}}

===Underdog era===
Cricket was introduced to the island by the British as a result of [[British Ceylon|the colonization]] and the first recorded match dates back to 1832 as reported in ''[[The Colombo Journal]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ariyasinghe |first1=D.A.G. |last2=Ariyarathna |first2=P.A.S.A. |title=Legacy of "Sri Lankan Cricket" Portrayed through "Chinaman" |journal=Journal of the Centre for Heritage Studies |date=2018 |volume=1 |pages=19–33 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335258994 |access-date=29 January 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220303/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335258994_Beads_Words_and_Rituals_A_New_Perspective_on_Prehistoric_Ornaments_of_Sri_Lanka |url-status=live }}</ref> By the 1880s a national team, the [[Ceylon national cricket team]], was formed which began playing [[first-class cricket]] by the 1920s. The Ceylon national cricket team achieved Associate Member status of the [[International Cricket Council]] in 1965. Renamed Sri Lanka in 1972, the national team first competed in top-level international cricket in 1975, when they were defeated by nine [[wicket (cricket)|wickets]] by the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] during the [[1975 Cricket World Cup]] at [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground|Old Trafford]], England.<ref>{{cite web|title=1975 Prudential World Cup – 4th match, Group B|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65038.html|publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007094924/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65038.html|archive-date=7 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sri Lanka was awarded Test cricket status in 1981 by the [[International Cricket Conference]]. They played their first Test match [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 1981–82#Only Test|against England]] at [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|P. Saravanamuttu Stadium]], Colombo, on 17 February 1982. [[Bandula Warnapura]] was the captain for [[Sri Lankan national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] in that match, which England won by 7 wickets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63307.html |title=First Test match for Sri Lanka |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135239/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63307.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After Sri Lanka was awarded Test status on 21 July 1981 as eighth Test playing nation, they had to wait until 6 September 1985, where Sri Lanka recorded their first Test win by beating India, in the second match of the series by 149 runs at the [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium]], [[Colombo]].<ref>{{cite web|title=India in Sri Lanka Test Series, 1985 – 2nd Test|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/63410.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-date=31 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331025724/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/63410.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka's greatest Test victories |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-s-greatest-test-victories-547481 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140624202424/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/547481.html |archive-date=24 June 2014 |access-date=10 September 2013 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> They have also won the [[2001-02 Asian Test Championship]], defeating [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] in the final by an innings and 175 runs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Asian Test Championship final to be held in Pakistan |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/asian-test-championship-final-to-be-held-in-pakistan-116067 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305192713/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/116067.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=10 September 2013 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

Sri Lanka won their first Test match under the leadership of [[Duleep Mendis]] on 11 September 1985 against [[Indian national cricket team|India]], winning by 149 runs at P. Saravanamuttu Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63410.html |title=First Test match win for Sri Lanka |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135307/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63410.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually they won the three-match Test series, 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60528.html |title=First Test series win for Sri Lanka |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917131024/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60528.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sri Lanka had to wait more than seven years for their next series victory, which came against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] in December 1992, when they won the two-match series 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60618.html |title=Sri Lanka's first Test series victory against New Zealand |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917130656/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60618.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was immediately followed by a one-wicket victory against [[England national cricket team|England]] in a one-Test series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63605.html |title=Sri Lanka's first Test series victory against England |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916204620/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63605.html |archive-date=16 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two years later, on 15 March 1995, Sri Lanka won their first overseas Test match under the leadership of [[Arjuna Ranatunga]] against New Zealand, when they beat them by 241 runs at [[McLean Park|Napier]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63678.html |title=First Overseas Test match win for Sri Lanka |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002125806/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63678.html |archive-date=2 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> This win also resulted in their first overseas Test series victory, 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60618.html |title=First Overseas Test series win for Sri Lanka |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917130656/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60618.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their next series too was an overseas series, against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]], and that one too resulted in Sri Lankan victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60621.html |title=Sri Lanka in Pakistan in 2000 |access-date=8 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917175417/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/series/60621.html |archive-date=17 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sri Lanka registered their first ODI win against [[India national cricket team|India]] at Old Trafford, England on 16 June 1979.<ref>{{cite web|title=1979 Prudential World Cup – 9th match, Group B|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/65057.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220211/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/prudential-world-cup-1979-60806/india-vs-sri-lanka-9th-match-65057/full-scorecard|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Modern era ===
[[File:Wankhede ICC WCF.jpg |thumb|right|The [[2011 Cricket World Cup Final]], Sri Lankan team reached their third final in the [[Cricket World Cup]]s]]
After many years of underdog status, Sri Lanka finally entered the limelight of the cricketing world after winning the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] under the captaincy of [[Arjuna Ranatunga]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Wills World Cup, 1995/96: Final|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65192.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921184423/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65192.html|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, they revolutionized modern day batting strategies by rapid scoring during the first 15 overs. Sri Lanka later became the co-champions in [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy]] and also became six times Asian champions in [[1986 Asia Cup|1986]], [[1997 Asia Cup|1997]], [[2004 Asia Cup|2004]], [[2008 Asia Cup|2008]], [[2014 Asia Cup|2014]] and [[2022 Asia Cup|2022]].

On 11 September 1999, under the leadership of [[Sanath Jayasuriya]], Sri Lanka won their first Test match against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]], when they beat them by six wickets at [[Asgiriya Stadium]], Kandy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63845.html |title=First Test match win for Sri Lanka against Australia |access-date=11 September 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908152245/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63845.html |archive-date=8 September 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually they won the three-match Test series, 1–0.

On 14 June 2000, Sri Lanka played their 100th Test match. It was against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]], at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC]], [[Colombo]], under the leadership of [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]. Pakistan won by 5 wickets.<ref name="SL100">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63885.html |title=100th test of Sri Lanka |access-date=8 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226135758/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63885.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Sri Lanka vs Pakistan test match.JPG |thumb|left|The first Test match of the [[Pakistani cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2012|2012 Pakistan's Sri Lankan tour]], Sri Lanka went on to win the match]]
On 4 August 2016, they played their 250th Test match when they played [[Australian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2016|Australia in Galle]].<ref name="SL250">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1042001.html |title=Silken Aravinda, stoic Arjuna, and magical Mahela |access-date=5 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref> They won the match by 229 runs,<ref name="result">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/995453.html |title=Australia tour of Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Australia at Galle, Aug 4-8, 2016 |access-date=6 August 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=16 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716082331/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/995453.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and also won the [[Warne–Muralidaran Trophy|Warne-Muralidharan]] trophy for the first time since its inception. On 17 August 2016, under the leadership of [[Angelo Mathews]], Sri Lanka whitewashed Australia 3-0 for the first time in Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1047025.html|title=Sri Lanka's historic whitewash against Australia|access-date=17 August 2016|work=ESPN Cricinfo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817224705/http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/content/story/1047025.html|archive-date=17 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Until 2017, Sri Lanka had whitewashed Zimbabwe three times, Bangladesh once and Australia once in Test cricket.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

Sri Lanka played their first [[Day/night cricket#List of day/night Tests|day-night Test match]] on 6 October 2017 against Pakistan at [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]].<ref name="confirmedCI">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20645751/sri-lanka-make-day-night-test-debut-dubai |title=Sri Lanka to make day-night Test debut in Dubai |access-date=9 September 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909193126/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20645751/sri-lanka-make-day-night-test-debut-dubai |archive-date=9 September 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="firstDN">{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/488545 |title=Pakistan wary of Herath threat in must-win game |access-date=6 October 2017 |work=International Cricket Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006165533/https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/488545 |archive-date=6 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1120285.html |title=2nd Test (D/N), Sri Lanka tour of United Arab Emirates and Pakistan at Dubai, Oct 6-10 2017 |access-date=6 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220315/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pak-in-uae-2017-18-1120278/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1120285/full-scorecard |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the captaincy of [[Dinesh Chandimal]], Sri Lanka convincingly won the match by 68 runs and sweep the series 2–0. In the match, [[Dimuth Karunaratne]] became the first Sri Lankan to score a fifty, a century and a 150 in a day-night Test. [[Lahiru Gamage]], who debut in the match became the first Sri Lankan to take a wicket in a day-night Test, whereas [[Dilruwan Perera]] became the first Sri Lankan to take five-wicket haul in a day-night Test.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2017/content/story/1123434.html |title=Dilruwan's five-for seals memorable series sweep |access-date=10 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010195827/http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-sri-lanka-2017/content/story/1123434.html |archive-date=10 October 2017}}</ref>

Sri Lanka played their first [[Twenty20 International]] (T20I) match at the [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]], on 15 June 2006, against England, winning the match by 2 runs.<ref name=debut>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/225271.html |title=Sri Lanka in England T20I Match, 2006 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625171153/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/225271.html |archive-date=25 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, they won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]], defeating India by 6 wickets.<ref name=2014t20iwc>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/match/682965.html |title=2014 ICC World Twenty20 – Final |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=10 September 2013 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220212/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/world-t20-2013-14-628368/india-vs-sri-lanka-final-682965/full-scorecard |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:View across the field from the North East Stand, Headingley Stadium, Leeds during the second day of the England- Sri Lanka test (21st April 2014).JPG |thumb|right|The second Test match of the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in England in 2014|2014 Sri Lanka's England tour]], Sri Lanka won the match, despite trailing in the first inning]]
As of July 2018, Sri Lanka have faced nine teams in Test cricket, only recent Test nations Afghanistan and Ireland are missing from their list of opponents, with their most frequent opponent being [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]], playing 55 matches against them.<ref name=test>{{cite web|title=Records / Sri Lanka / Test matches / Result summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621205521/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|archive-date=21 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sri Lanka has registered more wins against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] and [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]] than any other team, with 14.<ref name=test/> In ODI matches, Sri Lanka has played against 17 teams; they have played against India most frequently, with a winning percentage of 39.49 in 149 matches.<ref name=ODI>{{cite web|title=Records / Sri Lanka / One-Day Internationals / Result summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=2;id=7;type=team|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=10 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003195527/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=2%3Bid%3D7%3Btype%3Dteam|archive-date=3 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Within usual major ODI nations, Sri Lanka have defeated [[England national cricket team|England]] on 34 occasions, which is their best record in ODIs.<ref name=ODI/> The team have competed against 13 countries in T20Is, and have played 15 matches against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]]. Sri Lanka have defeated [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] and [[West Indies national cricket team|West Indies]] 6 occasions each.<ref name=T20I>{{cite web|title=Records / Sri Lanka / Twenty20 Internationals / Result summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=7;type=team|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=30 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003195504/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3%3Bid%3D7%3Btype%3Dteam|archive-date=3 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sri Lanka was the best T20I team in the world, where they ranked number one in more than 32 months, and reached World Twenty20 final in three times.

As of 10 July 2018, Sri Lanka have played 272 Test matches; they have won 86 matches, lost 101 matches, and 85 matches were [[Draw (cricket)|drawn]].<ref name=test-result>{{cite web|title=Records / Test matches / Team records / Results summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203052230/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|archive-date=3 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 10 July 2018, Sri Lanka have played 816 ODI matches, winning 376 matches and losing 399; they also tied 5 matches, whilst 36 had [[no result]].<ref name=odi-result>{{cite web|title=Records / One-Day Internationals / Team records / Results summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224020144/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html|archive-date=24 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 10 July 2018, Sri Lanka have played 108 T20I matches and won 54 of them; 52 were lost and 1 tied and 1 no result match as well.<ref name=t20i-result>{{cite web|title=Records / Twenty20 Internationals / Team records / Results summary|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283307.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218192951/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283307.html|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 8 July 2017 to 23 October 2017, Sri Lanka lost twelve consecutive ODI matches, which is their second longest losing run in ODIs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18037/report/1120287/ |title=Azam, Shadab complete Pakistan's incredible comeback |access-date=16 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21018236/sri-lanka-wretched-run-odis-2017 |title=Sri Lanka's wretched run in ODIs in 2017 |access-date=16 October 2017 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016073438/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21018236/sri-lanka-wretched-run-odis-2017 |archive-date=16 October 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the meantime, Sri Lanka involved 5-0 whitewash in three times against South Africa, India and Pakistan in 2017. And a 3-0 whitewash against the West Indies 3 years later (2020).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka tour of West Indies, Sri Lanka tour of West Indies 2020/21 score, Match schedules, fixtures, points table, results, news |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-west-indies-2020-21-1252062 |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>

On 09 September 2019, Sri Lanka won the T20I series 3-0 against [[Pakistan]] in their home under [[Dasun Shanaka]]'s captaincy. It was the first time that Sri Lanka whitewashed Pakistan in a T20I series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Life |first=Khan Mutasim Billah |title=Inexperienced Sri Lanka complete a 3-0 whitewash over no. 1 Pakistan |url=https://bdcrictime.com/inexperienced-sri-lanka-complete-a-3-0-whitewash-over-no-1-pakistan |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=bdcrictime.com |language=en}}</ref> In July 2021, Sri Lanka won [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2021|T20I series against India]] 2-1, recording their first ever bilateral T20I series win against India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sl-vs-ind-3rd-t20i-stats-hasaranga-birthday-bash-sri-lanka-break-13-year-duck-1271477 |title=Stats: Hasaranga's birthday bash, and Sri Lanka break 13-year duck |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=29 July 2021}}</ref>

On 4 March 2022, Sri Lanka played their 300th Test match in [[Mohali]] [[Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 2021–22|against India]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://island.lk/sri-lanka-geared-up-for-300th-test-match/ | title=Sri Lanka geared up for 300th Test match | work=The Island | accessdate=31 March 2023}}</ref> Sri Lanka lost the match by an innings and 222 runs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/sports/india-beat-sri-lanka-by-an-innings-and-222-runs-inside-3-days-in-first-test-122030600537_1.html | title=India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs inside 3 days in first Test | work=Business Standard | accessdate=31 March 2023}}</ref> Amid political turmoil back home, Sri Lanka won the [[2022 Asia Cup]], defeating Pakistan in the final on 11 September 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788151 | title=Brilliant Sri Lanka clinch Asia Cup 2022 title | work=ICC | accessdate=31 March 2023}}</ref>

On 28 April 2023, Sri Lanka won their 100th Test match win against Ireland at Galle.They won the test series as 2-0. They became the 8th test nation to reach this milstone.

==Governing body==
{{main|Sri Lanka Cricket}}
Sri Lanka Cricket (formerly the Board for Cricket Control or BCCSL), is the governing body for cricket in Sri Lanka. It operates the [[Sri Lankan cricket team]] and [[first-class cricket]] within Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thawfeeq |first1=Sa'adi |date=3 January 2016 |title=Thilanga Sumathipala elected SLC president |publisher=ESPNCricinfo.com |agency=ESPN |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/thilanga-sumathipala-elected-slc-president-957507 |url-status=live |access-date=30 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831003432/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/957507.html |archive-date=31 August 2017}}</ref> Sri Lanka Cricket oversees the progress and handling of the major domestic competitions: the First-class tournament [[Premier Trophy]], the [[List A cricket|List A]] tournament [[Premier Limited Overs Tournament]] and the [[Twenty20 Tournament]]. Sri Lanka Cricket also organises and hosts the [[Inter-Provincial Cricket Tournament]], a competition where five teams take part and represent four different [[provinces of Sri Lanka]].

Most of the regions of Sri Lanka that are rural areas apart from the [[Capital city|Capital]] could not produce the successful cricketers to the national and international side yet due to the lack of resources and opportunities while only a few major areas such as [[Galle]], [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]], [[Kandy]], [[Kurunegala]] usually produce successful cricketers to the national and international side instead of the capital. So the government is trying to distribute the game within the whole country organizing some programs such as [[2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament]].

==International grounds==
{{main|List of cricket grounds in Sri Lanka|International record by Sri Lanka in Home Grounds}}
{{location map+|Sri Lanka|float=right|width=350|caption=Locations of all international grounds in Sri Lanka|places=
{{location map~ |Sri Lanka |lat=6.93 |long= 79.84 |label_size=80|label=Colombo|mark=Green pog.svg|position=left}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Tyronne Fernando|position=bottom|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=6.78|long=79.87}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Galle|position=bottom|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=6.03|long=80.2}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Asgiriya|position=top|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=7.299722|long=80.633889}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Rangiri Dambulla|position=right|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=7.85|long=80.63}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Pallekele|mark = Blue_pog.svg|position=right|lat=7.280278|long=80.722222}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka|label=Mahinda Rajapaksa|mark = Blue_pog.svg|position=bottom|lat=6.3540|long=81.0268}}
}}

{{location map+|Sri Lanka Colombo Municipality
|caption=Location of international grounds in Colombo
|alt=Location of international grounds in Colombo
|float=right
|width=350
|places =
{{location map~|Sri Lanka Colombo Municipality|label=Saravanamuttu|position=left| background = #FFFFFF|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=6.918889|long=79.883889}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka Colombo Municipality|label=SSC|position=right| background = #FFFFFF|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=6.905922|long=79.869403}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka Colombo Municipality|label=CCC|position=top| background = #FFFFFF|lat=6.907808|mark = Blue_pog.svg|long=79.865911}}
{{location map~|Sri Lanka Colombo Municipality|label=R. Premadasa|position=bottom| background = #FFFFFF|mark = Blue_pog.svg|lat=6.939667|long=79.872028}}
}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
!width=25% | Stadium
!width=15% | City
!width=10% | Capacity
!width=10% | First used
!width=10% | Last used
!width=10% | Tests
!width=10% | ODIs
!width=10% | T20Is
|-
! colspan=8|Active stadiums
|-
|[[P.Saravanamuttu Stadium|P. Sara Oval]]
|[[Colombo]]
|15,000
|1982
|2019
|22<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=416;type=ground|title= P Sara Oval Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220309/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=416;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|12<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=416;type=ground|title= P Sara Oval ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012}}</ref>
|2<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=416;type=ground|title= P Sara Oval T20I matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113204021/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=416;type=ground|archive-date= 13 November 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC ground]]
|[[Colombo]]
|10,000
|1984
|2023
|46<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=679;type=ground|title= SSC Ground Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220236/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=679;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|65<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=679;type=ground|title= SSC Ground ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220215/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=679;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|2<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=679;type=ground|title= SSC Ground T20I matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113204940/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=679;type=ground|archive-date= 13 November 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
|[[R. Premadasa Stadium]]
|[[Colombo]]
|35,000
|1986
|2023
|9<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=1004;type=ground|title= R. Premadasa Stadium Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113205409/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=1004;type=ground|archive-date= 13 November 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|146<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=1004;type=ground|title= R. Premadasa Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113205208/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=1004;type=ground|archive-date= 13 November 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|38<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=1004;type=ground|title= R. Premadasa Stadium T20I matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121113205249/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=1004;type=ground|archive-date= 13 November 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Galle International Stadium]]
|[[Galle]]
|35,000
|1998
|2023
|42<ref>{{cite web|title=Galle Stadium Test matches|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=847;type=ground|url-status=live|archive-date=6 December 2021|publisher=cricinfo.com|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220255/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=847;type=ground}}</ref>
|9<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=847;type=ground|title= Galle Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220237/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=847;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|0
|-
|[[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium|Pallekele Cricket Stadium]]
|[[Pallekele]], [[Kandy]]
|35,000
|2010
|2023
|9<ref>{{cite web|title=Pallekele Cricket Stadium Test matches|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=2503;type=ground|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713065645/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=2503;type=ground|archive-date=13 July 2014|publisher=cricinfo.com|access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref>
|34<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=2503;type=ground|title= Pallekele Cricket Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140713065854/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=2503;type=ground|archive-date= 13 July 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>
|22<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=2503;type=ground|title= Pallekele Cricket Stadium T20I matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140713070058/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=2503;type=ground|archive-date= 13 July 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium|Rangiri Dambulla Stadium]]
|[[Dambulla]]
|16,800
|2001
|2018
|0
|55<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=1434;type=ground|title= Rangiri Dambulla Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012}}</ref>
|0
|-
|[[Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium|Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium]]
|[[Sooriyawewa]], [[Hambantota]]
|35,000
|2011
|2023
|0
|27<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=2502;type=ground|title= MRIC Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220240/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=2502;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|7<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=2502;type=ground|title= MRIC Stadium T20I matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220255/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=3;id=2502;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|-
!colspan=8|Former stadiums
|-
|[[Asgiriya Stadium]]
|[[Kandy]]
|10,000
|1983
|2007
|21<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=726;type=ground|title= Asgiriya Stadium Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120929054900/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=726;type=ground|archive-date= 29 September 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>
|6<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=726;type=ground|title= Asgiriya Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220217/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=726;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|0
|-
|[[Colombo Cricket Club Ground|CCC ground]]
|[[Colombo]]
|6,000
|1983
|1987
|3<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=339;type=ground|title= CCC Ground Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 26 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220218/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=339;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|0
|0
|-
|[[De Soysa Stadium]]
|[[Moratuwa]]
|16,000
|1984
|1993
|4<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=835;type=ground|title= De Soysa Stadium Test matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140130074246/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=1;id=835;type=ground|archive-date= 30 January 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>
|6<ref>{{cite web|url= http://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=835;type=ground|title= De Soysa Stadium ODI matches|publisher= cricinfo.com|access-date= 20 November 2012|archive-date= 6 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211206220218/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/engine/records/team/match_results.html?class=2;id=835;type=ground|url-status= live}}</ref>
|0
|-
|}
Note: Except abandoned and cancelled matches.
* ''Updated 17 September 2023.''

==Team colours==
Similar to other Sri Lankan sports teams, the Sri Lankan national cricket team bears blue and yellow as their colours. The bright blue represents the surrounding ocean, while the golden yellow represents the united island as a whole (depicting the sand).{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}{{dubious|date=September 2022}}

In Test matches, the team wears cricket whites, with an optional sweater or sweater-vest with a dark blue and blue V-neck for use in cold weather, such as on Australia, England, and New Zealand tours. The Sri Lankan flag is found on the left side of the jersey's chest with the Test cap number usually below the flag; helmets are a deep blue and the fielder's hat (usually a baseball cap or a wide-brimmed sunhat) is coloured similar. The sponsor's logo is displayed on the right side of the chest and the sleeve with the Sri Lankan Cricket logo is deployed on the left in test cricket.

Sri Lanka's One Day and Twenty 20 kits vary from year to year with the team wearing its bright blue colour in various shades from kit to kit with yellow stripes on shoulders and waist. Historically, Sri Lanka's kits have had shades of bright blue and golden yellow. In the [[Australian Tri-Series|World Series Cup]] in 1984–85, Sri Lanka wore yellow uniforms with blue stripes.

For official ICC tournaments such as [[Cricket World Cup|ICC Cricket World Cup]], [[ICC World Twenty20]] and [[Asia Cup]], "SRI LANKA" is written on the front of the jersey in place of the sponsor logo, with the sponsor logo being placed on the sleeve. A remarkable change in the colour of the kit of Sri Lanka can be found during the [[2007 ICC World Twenty20]] edition in South Africa. The team-coloured with pale silver and the kit has never been seen since then in the team. Since then, the Sri Lankan kit has never changed from the usual brilliant blue colour and very fine yellow stripes. For [[2016 ICC World Twenty20]], orange and green colours in the flag are also included in the jersey. In [[2017 ICC Champions Trophy]] pool game against India, the kit changed to the mostly yellow coloured shirt with stripes of blue and usual blue trousers.

At the top-right side of the jersey, instead of logo their can be seen Sri Lanka's flag.

[[File:Lahiru Gamage, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, 2017.jpg|150x150px|thumb|Sri Lanka
flag on the jersey|alt=]]

In 2019 for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]], the Sri Lankan jersey was made from recycled plastic sea waste from the Sri Lankan coast. On the side of the blue background, there is a drawing of a turtle on the shirt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-unveil-eco-friendly-world-cup-jersey/ |title=Sri Lanka unveil 'Eco-Friendly' World Cup jersey |access-date=8 May 2019 |work=thepapare |date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508040324/http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-unveil-eco-friendly-world-cup-jersey/ |archive-date=8 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
However, for non-ICC tournaments and bilateral and tri-nation matches, the sponsor logo features prominently on the front of the shirt.

=== Logo ===
Sri Lanka's cricket team's logo is a golden lion with a sword bearing on the right arm and the background is bright blue in colour. The name "Sri Lanka Cricket" is written below the lion. It's seen on practice jersey at the top-right side.

[[File:Suraj Randiv.jpg|150x150px|thumb|SLC cricket team logo on the practice jersey]]
[[File:SLC Cricket Logo.jpg|150x150px|thumb|Sri Lanka cricket team logo|alt=]]

In Test cricket, the logo in the cap is slightly changed, where the lion with a sword is surrounded by petals of lotus and then a blue circle surrounds the crest and a yellow circle surrounds the blue circle, present in the [[Coat of arms of Sri Lanka|coat of arms]]. This logo is seen on the front of the caps and helmets in ODIs and T20Is.

[[File:Upul-Tharanga, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st ODI, 2017.jpg|100x100px|thumb|Sri Lanka cricket team logo on the helmet|alt=]]

==Tournament history==
{{Sri Lanka national cricket team tournament History}}

==Honours==

===ICC===
*'''[[ICC Cricket World Cup|World Cup]]:'''
** '''Champions (1):''' [[1996 ICC Cricket World Cup|1996]]
** '''Runners-up (2):''' [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007]], [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011]]
*'''[[ICC Men's T20 World Cup|T20 World Cup]]:'''
** '''Champions (1):''' [[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014]]
** '''Runners-up (2):''' [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]], [[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012]]
*'''[[ICC Champions Trophy|Champions Trophy]]:'''
** '''Champions (1):''' [[2002 ICC Champions Trophy|2002]]

===ACC===
*'''[[Asia Cup]]:'''
** '''Champions (6):''' [[1986 Asia Cup|1986]], [[1997 Asia Cup|1997]], [[2004 Asia Cup|2004]], [[2008 Asia Cup|2008]], [[2014 Asia Cup|2014]], [[2022 Asia Cup|2022]]
** '''Runners-up (7):''' [[1984 Asia Cup|1984]], [[1988 Asia Cup|1988]], [[1990–91 Asia Cup|1990–91]], [[1995 Asia Cup|1995]], [[2000 Asia Cup|2000]], [[2010 Asia Cup|2010]], [[2023 Asia Cup|2023]]
*'''[[Asian Test Championship]]:'''
** '''Champions (1):''' [[2001–02 Asian Test Championship|2001–02]]
** '''Runners-up (1):''' [[1998–99 Asian Test Championship|1998–99]]

===Others===
*'''[[Cricket at the Asian Games|Asian Games]]'''
** '''Gold Medal (1):''' [[Cricket at the 2014 Asian Games|2014]]
*'''[[Cricket at the South Asian Games|South Asian Games]]'''
** '''Silver Medal (2):''' [[Cricket at the 2010 South Asian Games|2010]], [[Cricket at the 2019 South Asian Games|2019]]

==Current squad==

This is a list of active players who are centrally contracted with SLC or has played for Sri Lanka in the past 12 months or has been named in the recent Test, ODI or T20I squad. Uncapped players are listed in ''italics''. Updated on 10 October 2023.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Keys
!Symbol
!Meaning
|-
|C/G
|Contract grade with SLC
|-
|S/N
|Shirt number of the player in all formats
|-
|Format
|Denotes the particular format/s played over the last year, not entire career
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Name
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Age
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Batting style
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Bowling style
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Domestic team
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | LPL team
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Forms
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | C/G
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | S/N
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Last Test
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Last ODI
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Last T20I
! style="text-align:center; background:blue; color:#FFCC00; | Captain
|-
! colspan="12" | Batters
|-
| [[Sahan Arachchige]] || {{age|1996|5|13}} || Left-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 43
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|NED}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
| [[Ashen Bandara]] || {{age|1998|11|23}} || Left-handed || Right-arm [[leg break]] || [[Sri Lanka Police Sports Club (cricket)|Police]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 10
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{cricon|IRE}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Dinesh Chandimal]] || {{age|1989|11|18}} || Right-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Sri Lanka Army Sports Club (cricket)|Army]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || Test || B1 || 56
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|AFG}} 2022
|{{cricon|IND}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Avishka Fernando]]|| {{age|1998|4|5}}|| Right-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || ODI, T20I
|C1 || 28
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Oshada Fernando]] || {{age|1992|4|15}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[leg break]] || [[Ace Capital Cricket Club|Ace Capital]] || {{n/a}} || Test || {{n/a}} || 80
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{cricon|ENG}} 2021
|{{cricon|ENG}} 2021
|
|-
| [[Nuwanidu Fernando]] || {{age|1999|10|13}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || |[[Sinhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || ODI || {{n/a}} ||27
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
| [[Dimuth Karunaratne]] || {{age|1988|04|21}} || Left-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium]]|| [[Sinhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || {{n/a}} || Test, ODI || A1 || 16
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|Test (C)
|-
| [[Pathum Nissanka]] || {{age|1998|5|18}} || Right-handed|| {{n/a}} || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || ODI, T20I || B1 || 18
|{{cricon|AUS}} 2022
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Kusal Perera]] || {{age|1990|10|17}} || Left-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Colombo Cricket Club|CCC]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || ODI, T20I || B1 || 55
|{{cricon|ENG}} 2021
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Bhanuka Rajapaksa]] || {{age|1991|10|24}} || Left-handed ||{{n/a}} || [[Burgher Recreation Club|Burgher]] || [[Galle Titans|Galle]] || T20I || {{n/a}} || 54
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|RSA}} 2021
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|
|-
! colspan="12" | All-rounders
|-
| [[Charith Asalanka]] || {{age|1997|6|29}} || Left-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || [[Sinhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || ODI, T20I || B2 || 72
|{{cricon|IND}} 2022
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Dhananjaya de Silva]] || {{age|1991|9|6}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || Test, ODI, T20I || A1 || 75
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|Test (VC)
|-
| [[Wanindu Hasaranga]] || {{age|1997|7|29}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[leg break]] || [[Colombo Cricket Club|CCC]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || ODI, T20I || A1 || 49
|{{cricon|BAN}} 2021
|{{cricon|NED}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|T20I (VC)
|-
| [[Dushan Hemantha]] || {{age|1994|3|24}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[leg break]] || Dambulla || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 34
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
| [[Chamika Karunaratne]] || {{age|1996|5|29}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || ODI, T20I || C1 || 29
|{{cricon|AUS}} 2019
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Angelo Mathews]] || {{age|1987|06|02}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium]] || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || Test, ODI || B1 || 69
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{cricon|WIN}} 2021
|
|-
| [[Ramesh Mendis]] || {{age|1995|7|7}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || [[Moors Sports Club|Moors]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || Test || B2 || 25
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|ZIM}} 2022
|{{cricon|IND}} 2021
|
|-
| [[Dasun Shanaka]] || {{age|1991|9|9}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium]] || [[Sinhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || [[Galle Titans|Galle]] || ODI, T20I || B1 || 7
|{{cricon|ENG}} 2021
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|ODI, T20I (C)
|-
! colspan="12" | Wicket-keepers
|-
| [[Niroshan Dickwella]] || {{age|1993|6|23}} || Left-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || Test || C2 || 48
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{cricon|AUS}} 2022
|{{cricon|ENG}} 2021
|
|-
| [[Nishan Madushka]] || {{age|1999|9|10}} || Right-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Ragama Cricket Club|Ragama]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || Test || {{n/a}} || 24
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
| [[Kusal Mendis]] || {{age|1995|2|2}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[leg spin]] || [[Sinhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || Test, ODI, T20I || C2 || 13
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
| ODI (VC)
|-
| [[Sadeera Samarawickrama]] || {{age|1995|8|30}} || Right-handed || {{n/a}} || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || Test, ODI || {{n/a}} || 23
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|IND}} 2021
|
|-
! colspan="12" | Spin Bowlers
|-
| [[Prabath Jayasuriya]] || {{age|1991|11|5}} || Right-handed || [[Slow left-arm orthodox]] || [[Singhalese Sports Club|SSC]] || {{n/a}} || Test || {{n/a}} || 77
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|RSA}} 2018
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
| [[Maheesh Theekshana]] || {{age|2000|8|1}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[off break]] || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || ODI, T20I || {{n/a}} || 61
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2022
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Jeffrey Vandersay]] || {{age|1990|2|5}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Leg break]] || [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 46
|{{cricon|AUS}} 2022
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{cricon|IND}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Dunith Wellalage]] || {{age|2003|1|9}} || Left-handed || [[Slow left-arm orthodox]] || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 1
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2022
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{n/a}}
|
|-
! colspan="12" | Pace Bowlers
|-
| [[Dushmantha Chameera]] || {{age|1992|1|11}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]] || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[B-Love Kandy|Kandy]] || ODI || A1 || 5
|{{cricon|WIN}} 2021
|{{cricon|AFG}} 2023
|{{cricon|UAE}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Asitha Fernando]] || {{age|1997|7|31}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] || [[Colombo Cricket Club|CCC]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || Test || {{n/a}} || 78
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|AFG}} 2022
|{{cricon|IND}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Vishwa Fernando]] || {{age|1991|9|18}} || Right-handed || Left-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] || [[Colombo Cricket Club|CCC]] || [[Galle Titans|Galle]] || Test || C1 || 68
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|RSA}} 2019
|{{cricon|IND}} 2017
|
|-
| [[Lahiru Kumara]] || {{age|1997|02|13}} || Left-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]] || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[Galle Titans|Galle]] || Test, ODI, T20I || {{n/a}} || 8
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|{{cricon|NED}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Pramod Madushan]] || {{age|1993|12|14}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] || [[Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club|Tamil Union]] || [[Dambulla Aura|Dambulla]] || T20I || {{n/a}} || 40
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|IND}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Dilshan Madushanka]] || {{age|2000|9|18}} || Right-handed || Left-arm [[Fast bowling|fast-medium]] || [[Colts Cricket Club|Colts]] || [[Jaffna Kings|Jaffna]] || Test, ODI, T20I || {{n/a}} || 98
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|-
| [[Matheesha Pathirana]] || {{age|2002|12|18}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|fast]] || [[Nondescripts Cricket Club|NCC]] || [[Colombo Strikers|Colombo]] || ODI || {{n/a}} || 81
|{{n/a}}
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|AFG}} 2022
|
|-
| [[Kasun Rajitha]] || {{age|1993|6|1}} || Right-handed || Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] || [[Badureliya Sports Club|Badureliya]] || [[Galle Titans|Galle]] || Test, ODI, T20I || {{n/a}} || 65
|{{cricon|PAK}} 2023
|{{cricon|SA}} 2023
|{{cricon|NZL}} 2023
|
|}

==Coaching staff==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:55%;"
|-
! style="background:blue; color:#FFCC00; text-align:center;"| Position
! style="background:blue; color:#FFCC00; text-align:center;"| Name
|-
| Team Manager
|{{Flagicon|SL}} Mahinda Halangoda{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}
|-
| Head coach
| {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Silverwood]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/chris-silverwood-named-new-head-coach-of-sri-lanka-1310006?platform=amp|title=Chris Silverwood named Sri Lanka's new head coach|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
| Assistant coach
|{{flagicon|SL}} [[Naveed Nawaz]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2022/04/naveed-nawaz-appoint-assistant-coach-of-the-national-team/|title=Naveed Nawaz appoint Assistant Coach of the National Team|work=Sri Lanka Cricket|date=17 April 2022 |access-date=17 April 2022}}</ref>
|-
| Batting coach
| {{flagicon|SL}} [[Naveed Nawaz]]
|-
|Consultant Coach
|{{Flagicon|SL}} [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-13|title=Mahela Jayawardena appointed as 'Consultant Coach'|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2021/12/mahela-jayawardena-appointed-as-consultant-coach/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Sri Lanka Cricket|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-13|title=වසරක කාලයකට මහේල ශ්‍රී ලංකා ක්‍රිකට් සමඟ එක්වෙයි|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2021/12/වසරක-කාලයකට-මහේල-ශ්රී-ලං/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Sri Lanka Cricket|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-13|title=Mahela Jayawardena appointed Sri Lanka's 'consultant coach' for 1 year|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/jayawardena-appointed-sl-consultant-coach-for-1-year-7670688/|access-date=2022-01-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahela Jayawardene appointed Sri Lanka's 'consultant coach'|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/120250/mahela-jayawardene-appointed-sri-lankas-consultant-coach|access-date=2022-01-07|website=Cricbuzz|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=December 13, 2021 |title=Sri Lanka appoint Mahela Jayawardene as consultant coach, to work with team for a year from January 2022|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sri-lanka-mahela-jayawardene-consultant-coach-1-year-role-january-2022-1887295-2021-12-13|access-date=2022-01-07|magazine=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|agency=PTI|date=Dec 13, 2021|title=Sri Lanka Cricket appoints Mahela Jayawardene as national team consultant {{!}} Cricket News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/sri-lanka-cricket-appoints-mahela-jayawardene-as-national-team-consultant/articleshow/88258790.cms|access-date=2022-01-07|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
|-
| Spin Bowling coach
|{{Flagicon|SL}} [[Piyal Wijetunge]]
|-
| Fast Bowling Coach
|{{Flagicon|SL}} [[Dharshana Gamage]]
|-
| Fielding Coach
|{{Flagicon|SA}} [[ Anton Roux]]
|-
| Physiotherapist
|{{flagicon|ENG}} Chris Clarke
|-
| Physical Performance Manager
| {{flagicon|SA}} Grant Luden
|-
| Analyst
|{{flagicon|SL}} Shirantha Niroshana
|}

===Selection Panel===
* {{flagicon|SRI}} [[Pramodya Wickramasinghe]] ([[Chairman]])
* {{flagicon|SRI}} [[Romesh Kaluwitharana]]
* {{flagicon|SRI}} [[Hemantha Wickramaratne]]

===Coaching history===
*1995–1996: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dav Whatmore]]
*1997–1998: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Bruce Yardley]]
*1998–1999: {{flagicon|LKA}} [[Roy Dias]]
*1999–2003: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Dav Whatmore]]
*2003–2005: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Dyson (cricketer, born 1954)|John Dyson]]
*2005–2007: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tom Moody]]
*2007–2011: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Trevor Bayliss]]
*2011: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Stuart Law]] (interim)
*2011: {{flagicon|LKA}} [[Rumesh Ratnayake]] (interim)
*2011–2012: {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Geoff Marsh]]
*2012–2013: {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Graham Ford]] 1st stint
*2013–2014: {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Farbrace]]
*2014–2015: {{flagicon|LKA}} [[Marvan Atapattu]]
*2015–2016: {{flagicon|LKA}} Jerome Jayaratne (interim)
*2016–2017: {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Graham Ford]] 2nd stint
*2017: {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Nic Pothas]] (interim)
*2017–2019: {{flagicon|LKA}} [[Chandika Hathurusingha]]
*2019–2021: {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Mickey Arthur]]
*2022: {{flagicon|LKA}} [[Rumesh Ratnayake]] (interim)
*2022–present: {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Silverwood]]

== Sponsorship ==
The period between 2000 and 2010 saw the sponsorship pass between [[Ceylon tea]], [[Reebok]], [[Mobitel (Sri Lanka)|Mobitel Sri Lanka]] and [[Dialog Axiata]]; [[Dilmah]] has remained a sponsor since the early 2000s, replacing [[Singer Corporation|Singer]], which was the main sponsor in the 1990s. Former manufacturers were [[Reebok]], AJ Sports, Asics, ISC, and Adidas.

Currently, the main sponsors for Sri Lanka cricket are [[Dialog Axiata]], Jat Holdings and [[MAS Holdings]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;"
|+Current Sponsors & Partners<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/|access-date=2021-10-23|website=Sri Lanka Cricket|language=en-US|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020060143/https://srilankacricket.lk/|url-status=live}}</ref>
!Inbound Team Sponsor
|[[Nippon Paint]]
|-
!Outbound Team Sponsor
|[[Dialog Axiata|Dialog SriLanka ]]
|-
!Kit Sponsor
|[[Brandix|Moose Clothing Company]]
|-
!Cricket Helmet Partner
|Masuri
|-
!Beverages Partner
|My Cola
|-
!Energy Drink Partner
|[[Red Bull]]
|-
!Casual Clothing Sponsor
|[[Licc Jeans]]
|-
!Formal Clothing Partner
|Namal Balachandra Private Limited
|-
!Official Broadcaster
|[[Sony Pictures Networks India|Sony Pictures Networks]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;"
|-
!Period
!Kit manufacturer
! colspan="2" |Shirt sponsor
! colspan="3" |'''Team sponsor'''
! colspan="2" |Official Broadcaster
!'''Internet streaming'''
|-
|'''1995–2000'''
|[[MAS Holdings|MAS]]
|rowspan=2|[[Singer Corporation|Singer]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka: Singer given another innings (10 November 1998) |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-singer-given-another-innings-10-november-1998-76741 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Ceylon Tobacco Company|CTC]]<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Tobacco Control 1998 |date=1998 |pmc=1751443 |author1=SEIMON T |author2=MEHL G |journal=Tobacco Control |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=429–433 |doi=10.1136/tc.7.4.429 |pmid=10093180 }}</ref>
|
|
|
|[[Sky Sports]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sky TV Secure World Cup '96 Televising Rights (20 Nov 1995) |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sky-tv-secure-world-cup-96-televising-rights-20-nov-1995-71962 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |[[Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation]]
|
|-
|'''2000–2001'''
|AJ Sports
|[[Dilmah]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tea company to sponsor Sri Lanka team? |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tea-company-to-sponsor-sri-lanka-team-108867 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|WSG Nimbus <ref>{{Cite web |title=BCCSL and WSG Nimbus move to new phase of legal wrangle |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/bccsl-and-wsg-nimbus-move-to-new-phase-of-legal-wrangle-107708 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|[[Culver Max Entertainment|Taj Television]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka launch bid process for broadcasting rights |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lanka-launch-bid-process-for-broadcasting-rights-138260 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
|'''2001–2008'''
|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|[[Dilmah]]
|[[Pepsi]]<ref>{{Cite web |title="Pepsi" Permits "Dilmah Tea" To be Sri Lanka's Team Sponsor for Champions Trophy 2002 & World Cup 2003 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pepsi-permits-dilmah-tea-to-be-sri-lanka-s-team-sponsor-for-champions-trophy-2002-world-cup-2003-117895 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|[[Caltex]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Online edition of Daily News - Sports |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2002/09/20/spo05.html |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=archives.dailynews.lk}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |[[SriLankan Airlines]]
| rowspan="5" |Emerald
| rowspan="2" |[[Sony Sports Network|Ten Sports]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten Sports signs contract with Sri Lankan board |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ten-sports-signs-contract-with-sri-lankan-board-136007 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
|'''2009–2010'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Reebok]]
|[[Dialog Axiata|Dialog]]
|
|[[National Development Bank (Sri Lanka)|National Development Bank]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-02-13 |title=Sri Lanka Cricket gets new sponsor |url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/10442/sri-lanka-cricket-gets-new-sponsor |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Cricbuzz |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |[[Carlton Sports Network]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-02 |title=Carlton Sports Network And Somerset Entertainment {{!}} The Sunday Leader |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/07/24/carlton-sports-network-and-somerset-entertainment |access-date=2023-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702190331/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2011/07/24/carlton-sports-network-and-somerset-entertainment |archive-date=2 July 2012 }}</ref>
|
|-
|'''2010–2012'''
|[[Mobitel (Sri Lanka)|Mobitel]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lankan team sign record sponsorship deal |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lankan-team-sign-record-sponsorship-deal-406218 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|[[ESPN]]
|
|-
|'''2013-2014'''
|Emerald
|Homestead
|
|
|
| rowspan="2" |[[Sony Sports Network|Ten Sports]]
|
|-
|'''2014–2016'''
| rowspan="5" |MAS
|Dialog
|
| rowspan="3" |[[Ceylon tea|Ceylon Tea]]
|
| rowspan="4" |[[Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation]]
|
|-
|'''2017–2018'''
|[[Huawei]]
|
| rowspan="2" |[[Kent RO Systems]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kent RO, MAS Holdings join Sri Lanka's World Cup Cricket campaign |url=https://archives1.dailynews.lk/2019/05/04/sports/184607/kent-ro-mas-holdings-join-sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-world-cup-cricket-campaign |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Daily News |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |[[Huawei]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carp |first=Sam |date=2017-06-21 |title=Sri Lanka Cricket calls up Huawei |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/sri-lanka-cricket-calls-up-huawei/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |[[Sony Sports Network]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-07 |title=Sony bags SL-India broadcast rights |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sony-bags-sl-india-broadcast-rights-894557 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="4" |[[YouTube]]
|-
|'''2019 –2020'''
|Dialog
|
|-
|'''2021–2022'''
|[[AstroPay]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-05|title=AstroPay partners with Sri Lanka T20 team as it forays into cricket sponsorship|url=https://srilankacricket.lk/2021/10/astropay-partners-with-sri-lanka-t20-team-as-it-forays-into-cricket-sponsorship/|access-date=2021-10-21|website=Sri Lanka Cricket|language=en-US|archive-date=6 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006180708/https://srilankacricket.lk/2021/10/astropay-partners-with-sri-lanka-t20-team-as-it-forays-into-cricket-sponsorship/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|
|
|
|-
|'''2022–'''
|[[FairPlay (company)|FairPlay]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Asia Cup 2022: FairPlay News Roped in as the Official National Team Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket Team |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/sports/asia-cup-2022-fairplay-news-roped-in-as-the-official-national-team-sponsor-of-sri-lanka-cricket-team-14623661.htm |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=cnbctv18.com |language=en}}</ref>
|
|
|
|
|[[Star Sports (Indian TV network)|Star Sports]]
|[[MTV Channel]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weerasooriya |first=Sahan |date=2023-06-21 |title=MTV secures broadcasting rights for Sri Lanka's matches |url=http://island.lk/mtv-secures-broadcasting-rights-for-sri-lankas-matches/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Sponsorship for ICC Tournaments
!Tournament
!Kit Manufacturer
!Sleeve Sponsor
|-
|[[1975 Cricket World Cup]]
| rowspan="5" |
| rowspan="6" |
|-
|[[1979 ICC Trophy]]
|-
|[[1979 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[1983 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[1987 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[1992 Cricket World Cup]]
|[[ISC (sportswear)|ISC]]
|-
|[[1996 Cricket World Cup]]
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="4" |[[Singer Corporation|Singer]]
|-
|[[1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy]]
|-
|[[1999 Cricket World Cup]]
|[[Asics|ASICS]]
|-
|[[2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy]]
|
|-
|[[2002 ICC Champions Trophy]]
| rowspan="2" |AJ Sports
| rowspan="6" |[[Dilmah]]
|-
|[[2003 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[2004 ICC Champions Trophy]]
| Trendy
|-
|[[2006 ICC Champions Trophy]]
| rowspan="3" |[[MAS Holdings|MAS]]
|-
|[[2007 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[2007 ICC World Twenty20|2007 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
|-
|[[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Reebok]]
| rowspan="4"|
|-
|[[2009 ICC Champions Trophy]]
|-
|[[2010 ICC World Twenty20|2010 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
|-
|[[2011 Cricket World Cup]]
|-
|[[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| rowspan="9" |[[MAS Holdings|MAS]]
| rowspan="3" |Homestead
|-
|[[2013 ICC Champions Trophy]]
|-
|[[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
|-
|[[2015 Cricket World Cup]]
|
|-
|[[2016 ICC World Twenty20|2016 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| Confident Group
|-
|[[2017 ICC Champions Trophy]]
| [[Dialog Axiata|Dialog]]
|-
|[[2019 Cricket World Cup]]
|[[Kent RO Systems|Kent RO]]
|-
|[[2021 ICC World Twenty20|2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| [[AstroPay]]
|-
|[[2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]]
| [[Brandix|Moose]]
|-
|[[2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Brandix|Moose]]
| [[Dialog Axiata|Dialog]]
|-
|[[2023 Cricket World Cup]]
| [[Amul]]
|}

==Records and statistics==
{{See also|Sri Lanka national cricket team record by opponent}}

=== International match summary ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Format!!Matches!!Won!!Lost!!Tied!!Drawn!!No result!!%Won!! Inaugural match
|-
|'''Test<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Team records {{!}} Results summary {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html|url-status=live|access-date=4 May 2021|website=Cricinfo|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430065953/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html}}</ref>'''
||312||100||120||0||92||–||32.05||17 February 1982
|-
|'''ODI<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Team records {{!}} Results summary {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html|url-status=live|access-date=14 March 2021|website=Cricinfo|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430065622/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html}}</ref>'''
||901||413||444||5||–||39||45.83||7 June 1975
|-
|'''T20I<ref>{{Cite web|title=Records {{!}} Twenty20 Internationals {{!}} Team records {{!}} Results summary {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283307.html|access-date=28 December 2020|website=Cricinfo|archive-date=11 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011034101/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283307.html|url-status=live}}</ref>'''
||179||79||94||4||–||2||44.13||15 June 2006
|}
''Updated: 7 October 2023''

===Test matches===
{{Main|List of Sri Lanka Test cricket records}}

====Team records====
*Highest team total: '''952/6 dec.''' v. [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[R. Premadasa Stadium|RPS, Colombo]] in 1997<ref>{{cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|title=Sri Lanka – Test matches – Highest totals|work=Cricinfo|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815020224/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Lowest team total: '''71''' v. [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at [[Asgiriya Stadium|Asgiriya]] in 1994<ref>{{cite news|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|title=Sri Lanka – Test matches – Lowest totals|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=13 December 2022|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301034519/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=1%3Bid%3D8%3Btype%3Dteam|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Sri Lanka holds the world record for the highest team score, '''952/6'''

====Individual records====
*Most matches: '''149 Tests''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |title=Most Test matches playing for Sri Lanka |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120081934/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Longest-serving captain: '''56 Tests''' – [[Arjuna Ranatunga]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_as_captain.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |title=Most Test matches as captain for Sri Lanka |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120081606/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_as_captain.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Batting records====
*Most runs: '''12,400''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]<ref>{{citation|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|title=Most Runs for Sri Lanka|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=20 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120110658/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Best average: '''57.40''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |title=Highest Batting Averages for Sri Lanka |publisher=cricinfo.com |access-date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228123111/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=1;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Highest individual score: '''374''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]] v. [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC, Colombo]] in 2006
*Highest partnership: '''624''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]] and [[Mahela Jayawardene]] v. [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC, Colombo]] in 2006
*Most centuries: '''38''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]

====Bowling records====
*Most wickets: '''800''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|title=Sri Lanka – Test matches – Most wickets|work=ESPN Cricinfo|access-date=13 December 2022|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301024022/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=1%3Bid%3D8%3Btype%3Dteam|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Best average: '''22.67''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]]
*Best figures in an innings: '''9/51''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] v. [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Asgiriya Stadium|Asgiriya]] in 2002
*Best figures in a match: '''16/220''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] v. [[England cricket team|England]] at [[The Oval]] in 1998
*Best [[strike rate]]: '''51.5''' – [[Lasith Malinga]]
*Best economy rate: '''2.33''' – [[Don Anurasiri]]

====Fielding records====
*Most catches by an outfielder: '''205''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]]
*Most dismissals as wicketkeeper: '''156''' – [[Prasanna Jayawardene]]
*Most dismissals in an innings: '''6''' – [[Amal Silva]] v. [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC, Colombo]] in 1985 and [[Dinesh Chandimal]] v. [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|PSS, Colombo]] in 2015
*Most dismissals in a match: '''9''' – [[Amal Silva]] v. [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|SSC, Colombo]] & [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|PSS, Colombo]] in 1985 and [[Prasanna Jayawardene]] v. [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium|Dubai]] in 2014<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Test records – Most dismissals in a match by a wicket-keeper|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_match.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=8 January 2021|archive-date=15 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215061719/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_match.html?class=1;id=8;type=team|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Record versus other nations====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" |Opponent
!scope="col" |[[Test cricket|Matches]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Won]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Lost]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Draw|Draw]]
!scope="col" |[[Tied Test|Tied]]
!scope="col" |[[Winning percentage|% Won]]
!scope="col" |First
!scope="col" |Last
|-
|| {{cr|AUS}} || {{nts|33}} || {{nts|5}} || {{nts|20}} || {{nts|8}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|15.15}}||1983||2022
|-
|| {{cr|BAN}} || {{nts|24}} || {{nts|18}} || {{nts|1}} || {{nts|5}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|75}}||2001||2022
|-
|| {{cr|ENG}} ||{{nts|36}} || {{nts|8}} || {{nts|17}} || {{nts|11}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|22.22}}||1982||2021
|-
|| {{cr|IND}} || {{nts|46}} || {{nts|7}} || {{nts|22}} || {{nts|17}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|15.21}}||1982||2022
|-
|| {{cr|IRE}} || {{nts|2}} || {{nts|2}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|0}}
|| {{nts|100.00}}||2023||2023
|-
|| {{cr|NZL}} || {{nts|38}} || {{nts|9}} || {{nts|18}} || {{nts|11}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|25.00}}||1983||2023
|-
|| {{cr|PAK}} || {{nts|58}} || {{nts|17}} || {{nts|22}} || {{nts|19}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|29.31}}||1982||2023
|-
|| {{cr|RSA}} || {{nts|31}} || {{nts|9}} || {{nts|16}} || {{nts|6}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|29.03}}||1993||2021
|-
|| {{cr|WIN}} || {{nts|24}} || {{nts|11}} || {{nts|4}} || {{nts|9}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|45.83}}||1993||2021
|-
|| {{cr|ZIM}} || {{nts|20}} || {{nts|14}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|6}} || {{nts|0}} || {{nts|70.00}}||1994||2020
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center" |'''Total'''
|'''311'''||'''100'''||'''119'''||'''92'''||'''0'''||'''32.15'''||'''1982'''||'''2023'''
|-s
|colspan=10|{{small|''Statistics are correct as of {{cr|SL}} v {{cr|PAK}} at [[Galle International Stadium]], 1st Test, 16 – 20 July 2023.''}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka Cricket Team Records & Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=1&id=8&type=team |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Team records {{!}} Results summary {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283877.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=Cricinfo}}</ref>
|}

===One Day Internationals===
{{Main|List of Sri Lanka One Day International cricket records}}

====ODI team records====
*Highest team total: '''443/9''' (50 overs) v. [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] at [[VRA Cricket Ground]] in 2006<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Highest innings totals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802102058/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Lowest team total: '''43''' (20.1 overs) v. [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] at [[Boland Park]] in 2012<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Lowest innings totals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417214630/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Sri Lanka holds the world record for maximum defeats in [[One Day International|ODI]] history- '''442'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html|title=ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS / TEAM RECORDS / RESULTS SUMMARY|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-date=30 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430065622/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283878.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====ODI individual records====
*Most matches: '''443''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most career matches |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802102140/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Longest-serving captain: '''193 matches''' – [[Arjuna Ranatunga]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_as_captain.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|title=Records / Sri Lanka / One-Day Internationals / Most matches as captain|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=13 December 2022|archive-date=1 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301211649/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_as_captain.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|url-status=live}}</ref>

====ODI batting records====
*Most runs: '''14,234''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most career runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305075354/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best average: '''42.40''' –[[Charith Asalanka]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Highest career average |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802102110/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best strike rate: '''112.59''' – [[Thisara Perera]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Highest strike rate |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729053435/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Highest individual score: '''189''' – [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] v. [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]] in 2000<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Highest individual score |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126213042/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Highest partnership: '''286*''' – [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] and [[Upul Tharanga]] v. [[England cricket team|England]] at [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]] in 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/Sri_Lanka/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |title=Sri Lanka/Records/ODI matches/Highest partnerships by wicket |work=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729114157/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/Sri_Lanka/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most centuries: '''28''' – [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most centuries |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921093449/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?class=2%3Bid%3D8%3Btype%3Dteam |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most Sixes: '''268''' – [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most sixes |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=sixes;team=8;template=results;type=batting |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=3 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703010414/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=sixes;team=8;template=results;type=batting |url-status=live }}</ref>

====ODI bowling records====
*Most wickets: '''534''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most career wickets |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026214059/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best average: '''21.87''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Best career average |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_bowling_average.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802131901/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_bowling_average.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best figures in an innings: '''8/19''' – [[Chaminda Vaas]] v. [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground|Colombo (SSC)]] in 2001<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Best bowling figures in an innings |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026214832/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best strike rate: '''27.3''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Best career strike rate |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_strike_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=19 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819195515/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_strike_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best economy rate: '''3.93''' – [[Muttiah Muralitharan]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Best career economy rate |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_economy_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802102002/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_economy_rate.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====ODI fielding records====
*Most catches by an outfielder: '''212''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fielding/most_catches_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902123102/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fielding/most_catches_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most dismissals as wicketkeeper: '''473''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most wicket-keeper career dismissals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802102144/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most dismissals in a match: '''5''' – [[Guy de Alwis]] v. [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] at [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium|Colombo (PSS)]] in 1983; [[Hashan Tillakaratne]] v. [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]] in 1990; [[Romesh Kaluwitharana]] v. [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] at [[Sharjah Cricket Stadium]] in 1995; [[Kumar Sangakkara]] v. [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] at [[R. Premadasa Stadium|Colombo (RPS)]] in 2002<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka ODI Records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=16 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816184458/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_innings.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====ODI record versus other nations====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" |Opponent
!scope="col" |[[One Day International|Matches]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Won]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Lost]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Tie|Tied]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#No result|No Result]]
!scope="col" |[[Winning percentage|% Won]]
!scope="col" |First
!scope="col" |Last
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="9" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Full members|Full Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Afghanistan|2013}}
| 11 || 7 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 63.64 || 2014 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Australia}}
| 102 || 35 || 63 || 0 || 4 || 34.31 || 1975 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Bangladesh}}
| 53 || 42 || 9 || 0 || 2 || 79.24 || 1986 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|England}}
| 78 || 36 || 38 || 1 || 3 || 46.15 || 1982 || 2021
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|India}}
| 166 || 57 || 97 || 1 || 11 || 34.34 || 1979 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Ireland}}
| 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2007 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|New Zealand}}
| 101 || 41 || 51 || 1 || 11 || 40.59 || 1979 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Pakistan}}
| 156 || 59 || 92 || 1 || 4 || 37.82 || 1975 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|South Africa}}
| 81 || 33 || 46 || 1 || 1 || 40.74 || 1992 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|West Indies}}
| 64 || 30 || 31 || 0 || 3 || 46.88 || 1975 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Zimbabwe}}
| 61 || 47 || 12 || 0 || 2 || 77.05 || 1992 || 2023
|-
| colspan="10" style="text-align: center;" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Associate members|Associate Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Bermuda}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2007 || 2007
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Canada}}
| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2003 || 2011
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Kenya}}
| 6 || 5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 83.33 || 1996 || 2011
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Netherlands}}
| 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2002 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Oman}}
| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2023 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Scotland}}
| 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2011 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|UAE}}
| 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100 || 2004 || 2023
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center" |'''Total'''
|'''898'''||'''412'''||'''442'''||'''5'''||'''39'''||'''45.88'''||'''1975'''||'''2023'''
|-
|colspan=10|{{small|''Statistics are correct as of {{cr|SL}} v {{cr|SA}} at [[Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium]], October 7, 2023.''}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / Sri Lanka / ODI matches / Result summary |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=2;id=8;type=team |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>
|}

===T20 Internationals===
{{Main|List of Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricket records}}

====T20I team records====
*Highest team total: '''260/6''' v. [[Kenya national cricket team|Kenya]] at [[New Wanderers Stadium|Johannesburg]] in 2007<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Highest innings totals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091929/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Lowest team total: '''79''' v. [[India national cricket team|India]] at [[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|Visakhapatnam]] in 2016<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Lowest innings totals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092527/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====T20I individual records====
*Most matches: '''88''' – [[Dasun Shanaka]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most career matches |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320001236/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/individual/most_matches_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Longest-serving captain: '''48 matches''' – [[Dasun Shanaka]]<ref>{{cite news |title=T20I Records – Most matches as captain |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283428.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130171835/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283428.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====T20I batting records====
*Most runs: '''1,889''' – [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most career runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114222127/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best average: '''31.77''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Highest career average |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318002838/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_batting_average.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best strike rate: '''147.67''' – [[Thisara Perera]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Highest strike rate |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092150/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/highest_career_strike_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Highest individual score: '''104[[not out|*]]''' – [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]] v. [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] at [[Pallekele International Cricket Stadium|Pallekele]] in 2011<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Highest individual score |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092218/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Highest partnership: '''166''' – [[Mahela Jayawardene]] and [[Kumar Sangakkara]] v. [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] at [[Kensington Oval]] in 2010<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Highest partnerships by runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_for_any_wicket.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619210331/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_for_any_wicket.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most centuries: '''1''' – [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]], [[Mahela Jayawardene]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most centuries |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_hundreds_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021}}</ref>
*Most Sixes: '''68''' – [[Dasun Shanaka]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most sixes |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=sixes;team=8;template=results;type=batting |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=5 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705173114/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=sixes;team=8;template=results;type=batting |url-status=live }}</ref>

====T20I bowling records====
*Most wickets: '''107''' – [[Lasith Malinga]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most career wickets |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=13 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113054228/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best average: '''14.42''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Best career average |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_bowling_average.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318003054/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_bowling_average.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best bowling: '''6/8''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]] v. [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] at [[Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium|Hambantota]] in 2012<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Best bowling figures in an innings |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092357/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_figures_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best strike rate: '''13.4''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Best career strike rate |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_strike_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320001146/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_strike_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Best economy rate: '''6.45''' – [[Ajantha Mendis]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Best career economy rate |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_economy_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320001141/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/best_career_economy_rate.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====T20I fielding records====
*Most catches by an outfielder: '''30''' – [[Dasun Shanaka]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fielding/most_catches_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092139/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fielding/most_catches_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most dismissals as wicketkeeper: '''45''' – [[Kumar Sangakkara]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most wicket-keeper career dismissals |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318004112/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_career.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Most dismissals in an innings: '''4''' – [[Dinesh Chandimal]] v. [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] at [[New Wanderers Stadium|Johannesburg]] in 2017<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka T20I Records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318012904/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/keeping/most_dismissals_innings.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |url-status=live }}</ref>

====T20I record versus other nations====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" |Opponent
!scope="col" |[[Twenty20 International|Matches]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Won]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Win and loss|Lost]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#Tie|Tied]]
!scope="col" |[[Result (cricket)#No result|No Result]]
!scope="col" |[[Winning percentage|% Won]]
!scope="col" |First
!scope="col" |Last
|-
| style="text-align: center;" colspan="9" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Full members|Full Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Afghanistan|2013}}
|4 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 75.00 || 2016 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Australia}}
|26 || 10 || 15 || 1 || 0 || 40.38 || 2007 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Bangladesh}}
|13 || 9 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 69.23 || 2007 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|England}}
|14 || 4 || 10 || 0 || 0 || 28.57 || 2006 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|India}}
|29 || 9 || 19 || 0 || 1 || 32.14 || 2009 || 2023
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Ireland}}
|3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2009 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|New Zealand}}
|20 || 7 || 11 || 1 || 1 || 39.47 || 2006 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Pakistan}}
|23 || 10 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 43.47 || 2007 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|South Africa}}
|17 || 5 || 11 || 1 || 0 || 33.37 || 2012 || 2021
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|West Indies}}
|15 || 8 || 7 || 0 || 0 || 50.00 || 2009 || 2021
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Zimbabwe}}
|3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2008 || 2012
|-
| colspan="10" style="text-align: center;" | '''[[List of International Cricket Council members#Associate members|Associate Members]]'''
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Canada}}
|1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2008 || 2008
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Kenya}}
|1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2007 || 2007
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Namibia}}
|2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 50.00 || 2021 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|Netherlands}}
|3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2014 || 2022
|-
!scope=row |{{cr|UAE}}
|2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 100.00 || 2016 || 2022
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
!scope="row" style="text-align:center" |'''Total'''
|'''176'''||'''79'''||'''92'''||'''3'''||'''2'''||'''46.26'''||'''2006'''||'''2023'''
|-
|colspan=10|{{small|''Statistics are correct as of {{cr|Sri Lanka}} v {{cr|India}} at [[Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Rajkot]], 3rd T20I, January 7, 2023.''}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / Sri Lanka / T20I matches / Result summary |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?class=3;id=8;type=team |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[Cricket in Sri Lanka]]
* [[List of Sri Lanka national cricket captains]]
* [[List of Sri Lanka ODI cricketers]]
* [[List of Sri Lanka Test cricketers]]
* [[List of Sri Lanka Twenty20 International cricketers]]
* [[Sri Lanka women's national cricket team]]
* [[Lanka Premier League]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.srilankacricket.lk}}

{{Sri Lanka national cricket team|state=expanded}}
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[[Category:National cricket teams]]
[[Category:National sports teams of Sri Lanka|Cricket]]
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Sri Lanka

2023-10-12T03:42:23Z

Sunkyjay: MOS:SANDWICH

{{short description|Country in South Asia}}
{{redirect|Ceylon}}

{{Use Sri Lankan English|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
| common_name = Sri Lanka
| native_name = {{ubl|{{native name|si|ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය|italics=off}}
| {{native name|ta|இலங்கை சனநாயக சோசலிசக் குடியரசு|italics=off}}
| {{Infobox
| subbox = yes
| bodystyle = font-size:75%;font-weight:normal;
| rowclass1 = mergedrow
| label1 = [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]:
| data1 = {{transliteration|si|ISO|Śrī Laṅkā Prajātāntrika Samājavādī Janarajaya}}
| rowclass2 = mergedrow
| label2 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]:
| data2 = {{transliteration|ta|ISO|Ilaṅkai Jaṉanāyaka Sōsalisak Kuṭiyarasu}}
}}
}}
| image_flag = Flag of Sri Lanka.svg
| image_coat = Emblem of Sri Lanka.svg
| coa_size = 70
| symbol_type = Emblem
| national_motto =
| national_anthem = "[[Sri Lanka Matha]]" ({{Lang-en|"Mother Sri Lanka"}}) <div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:Sri Lankan national anthem, performed by the United States Navy Band.oga|center]]</div>
| image_map = Sri Lanka (orthographic projection).svg
| image_map2 =
| capital = {{ubl|[[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]] (legislative)<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Sri-Jayewardenepura-Kotte |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>|[[Colombo]] (executive and judicial)<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombo |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Colombo |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref> {{Coord|6|56|N|79|52|E|type:city}}}}
| largest_city = [[Colombo]]
| official_languages = {{ubl|[[Sinhala language|Sinhala]]|[[Tamil language|Tamil]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Languages Policy |url=http://www.languagesdept.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=163&lang=en |website=languagesdept.gov.lk |publisher=Department of Official Languages |access-date=20 May 2021 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412193905/http://languagesdept.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=38&Itemid=163&lang=en |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| languages_sub = yes
| languages2_type = Recognised languages
| languages2 = [[Sri Lankan English|English]]
| ethnic_groups = {{ubl|74.9% [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]]|11.2% [[Sri Lankan Tamils]]|9.2% [[Sri Lankan Moors]]|4.2% [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Indian Tamils]]|0.5% Others (incl. [[Burgher people|Burghers]], [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malays]], [[Veddas]], [[Chinese people in Sri Lanka|Chinese]], [[Indians in Sri Lanka|Indians]])}}
| ethnic_groups_year = 2012<ref name="CIATONGA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sri-lanka/ |title=South Asia: Sri Lanka |date=22 September 2021 |publisher=[[CIA]]}}</ref>
| religion = {{nowrap|70.2% [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Buddhism]] ([[State religion|official]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/sri-lanka/ |title=2018 Report on International Religious Freedom: Sri Lanka |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>}} 12.6% [[Hinduism in Sri Lanka|Hinduism]] 9.7% [[Islam in Sri Lanka|Islam]] 7.4% [[Christianity in Sri Lanka|Christianity]] 0.1% Other/None
| religion_year = 2012
| demonym = Sri Lankan
| government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[semi-presidential republic]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution of Sri Lanka |url=https://www.parliament.lk/files/pdf/constitution.pdf |website=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title1 = [[President of Sri Lanka|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]]
| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2 = [[Dinesh Gunawardena]]
| leader_title3 = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka|Speaker of the Parliament]]
| leader_name3 = [[Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena]]
| leader_title4 = [[Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|Chief Justice]]
| leader_name4 = [[Jayantha Jayasuriya]]
| legislature = [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]]
| sovereignty_type = [[History of Sri Lanka|Formation]]
| established_event1 = [[Sinhala Kingdom|Kingdom]] established<ref>De Silva, K. M. (1981). A History of Sri Lanka. University of California Press. {{ISBN|978-0-19-561655-2}}. A History of Sri Lanka.</ref>
| established_date1 = 543 BCE
| established_event2 = [[Rajarata]] established<ref>Nicholas, C. W.; Paranavitana, S. (1961). A Concise History of Ceylon. Colombo University Press.</ref>
| established_date2 = 437 BCE
| established_event3 = [[Kingdom of Anuradhapura]]
| established_date3 = 437 BCE–1017 CE
| established_event4 = [[Chola Empire]]
| established_date4 = 1017–1070
| established_event5 = [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]]
| established_date5 = 1070–1236
| established_event6 = [[Kingdom of Jaffna]]
| established_date6 = 1215–1619
| established_event7 = [[Kingdom of Dambadeniya]]
| established_date7 = 1220–1341
| established_event8 = [[Kingdom of Gampola]]
| established_date8 = 1341–1412
| established_event9 = [[Kingdom of Kotte]]
| established_date9 = 1412–1597
| established_event10 = [[Kingdom of Sitawaka]]
| established_date10 = 1521–1593
| established_event11 = [[Kingdom of Kandy]]
| established_date11 = 1469–1815
| established_event12 = [[Kandyan Wars]]
| established_date12 = 1796
| established_event13 = [[Kandyan Convention]] signed
| established_date13 = 1815
| established_event14 = [[British Ceylon]]
| established_date14 = 1796–1948
| established_event15 = [[Independence Day (Sri Lanka)|Independence]]
| established_date15 = 4 February 1948
| established_event16 = [[Republic]]
| established_date16 = 22 May 1972
| established_event17 = {{nowrap|[[Constitution of Sri Lanka|Current constitution]]}}
| established_date17 = 7 September 1978
| area_km2 = 65,610.2
| area_rank = 120th 
| area_sq_mi = 25,332 
| percent_water = 4.4
| population_estimate = {{increaseNeutral}} 22,037,000<ref>{{cite web |title=Mid‐year Population Estimates by District & Sex, 2014 ‐ 2023 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/Population/StaticalInformation/VitalStatistics/ByDistrictandSex |website=statistics.gov.lk |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics |access-date=8 October 2023}}</ref>
| population_census = 20,277,600<ref name="popsl">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/Pages/sm/CPH%202011_R1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206021926/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/Pages/sm/CPH%202011_R1.pdf |title=Census of Population and Housing 2011 Enumeration Stage February–March 2012 |work=Department of Census and Statistics – Sri Lanka |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=6 December 2013}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 60th
| population_census_year = 2012
| population_census_rank =
| population_density_km2 = 337.7
| population_density_sq_mi =
| population_density_rank = 24th
| GDP_PPP = {{decrease}} $318.6 billion<ref name="IMFWEO">{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October/weo-report?c=524,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2023&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2022|date=October 2022|website=IMF.org|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]|access-date= October 11, 2022}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank = 60th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{decrease}} $14,234<ref name="IMFWEO" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 101th
| GDP_nominal = {{decrease}} $73.7 billion<ref name="IMFWEO" />
| GDP_nominal_year = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank = 79th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{decrease}} $3,293<ref name="IMFWEO" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 132nd
| Gini = 39.8 
| Gini_year = 2016
| Gini_change = 
| Gini_ref = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=LK |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =
| HDI = 0.782 
| HDI_year = 2021
| HDI_change = increase
| HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=8 September 2022|access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 73rd
| currency = [[Sri Lankan rupee]] (Rs)
| currency_code = LKR
| time_zone = [[Sri Lanka Standard Time|SLST]]
| utc_offset = +5:30
| utc_offset_DST =
| DST_note =
| time_zone_DST =
| date_format = {{unbulleted list |dd-mm-yyyy}}
| drives_on = Left
| calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Sri Lanka|+94]]
| iso3166code = LK
| cctld = {{hlist|[[.lk]] | [[.ලංකා]] | [[.இலங்கை]]}}
| official_website = {{URL|https://www.gov.lk|gov.lk}}
}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic|compact=yes}}
'''Sri Lanka''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|s|r|i|_|ˈ|l|æ|ŋ|k|ə|,_|ʃ|r|iː|_|-}}, {{IPAc-en|US|audio=En-us-Sri Lanka.ogg|-|_|ˈ|l|ɑː|ŋ|k|ə}}; {{lang-si|ශ්&zwj;රී ලංකා|Śrī Laṅkā|translit-std=ISO}} ({{IPA-si|ʃriː laŋkaː|IPA}}); {{lang-ta|இலங்கை|Ilaṅkai|translit-std=ISO}} ({{IPA-ta|ilaŋɡaj|IPA}})), historically known as '''Ceylon''' and officially the '''Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka''', is an [[island country]] in [[South Asia]]. It lies in the [[Indian Ocean]], southwest of the [[Bay of Bengal]], separated from the [[Indian subcontinent|Indian peninsula]] by the [[Gulf of Mannar]] and the [[Palk Strait]]. Sri Lanka shares a [[maritime border]] with the [[Maldives]] in the south-west and [[India]] in the north-west.

Sri Lanka has a population of approximately 22 million people and is home to many cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] people form the majority of the nation's population, followed by the [[Tamils]], who are the largest minority group and are concentrated in northern Sri Lanka; both groups have played an influential role in the island's history. Other long-established groups include the [[Sri Lankan Moors|Moors]], [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Indian Tamils]], [[Burgher people|Burghers]], [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malays]], [[Chinese people in Sri Lanka|Chinese]], and [[Vedda]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vedda |title=Vedda |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

Sri Lanka's documented history goes back 3,000 years, with evidence of prehistoric human settlements that dates back 125,000 years.<ref name="histr">{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PD8DseEWyuoC |title=Urbanization and sustainability in Asia: case studies of good practice |author=Roberts, Brian |chapter=Sri Lanka: Introduction |year=2006 |publisher=Asian Development Bank |isbn=978-971-561-607-2}}</ref> The earliest known [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Buddhist]] writings of Sri Lanka, known collectively as the [[Pāli canon]], date to the [[fourth Buddhist council]], which took place in 29 BCE.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=62KQpPX1oVkC&pg=PA69 |title=Essential Buddhism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs and Practices |author=Jack Maguire |date=2001 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-0-671-04188-5 |page=69 |quote=... the Pali canon of Theravada is the earliest known collection of Buddhist writings ...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd16.htm |title=Religions – Buddhism: Theravada Buddhism |date=2 October 2002 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Also called the ''Teardrop of India'', or the ''Granary of the East'', Sri Lanka's geographic location and deep harbours have made it of great strategic importance, from the earliest days of the ancient [[Silk Road]] trade route to today's so-called [[maritime Silk Road]].<ref name="silkr">{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xmNuAAAAMAAJ |title=Sri Lanka and the silk road of the sea |chapter=Sri Lankan Role in the Maritime Silk Route |page=21 |year=1990 |isbn=978-955-9043-02-7 |author=Bandaranayake, Senake|publisher=Sri Lanka National Commisssion for Unesco and the Central Cultural Fund }}</ref><ref>British Prime Minister Winston Churchill described the moment a Japanese fleet prepared to invade Sri Lanka as "the most dangerous and distressing moment of the entire conflict". – ''Commonwealth Air Training Program Museum'', [http://www.airmuseum.ca/mag/0410.html The Saviour of Ceylon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022152654/http://www.airmuseum.ca/mag/0410.html |date=22 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistories.org/srilanka.html |title=A Brief History of Sri Lanka |website=localhistories.org |access-date=14 August 2017}}</ref> Because its location made it a major trading hub, it was already known to both East Asians and Europeans as long ago as the [[Anuradhapura period]]. During a period of [[Crisis of the Sixteenth Century|great political crisis]] in the [[Kingdom of Kotte]], the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] arrived in Sri Lanka and sought to control the island's maritime trade, with a part of Sri Lanka subsequently becoming a [[Portuguese Ceylon|Portuguese possession]]. After the [[Sinhalese-Portuguese war]], the [[Dutch Empire]] and the [[Kingdom of Kandy]] took control of those areas. The [[Dutch Ceylon|Dutch possessions]] were then taken by the [[British Empire|British]], who later extended their control over the whole island, [[British Ceylon|colonising]] it from 1815 to 1948. A national movement for political independence arose in the early 20th century, and in 1948, Ceylon became a [[dominion]]. The dominion was succeeded by the [[republic]] of Sri Lanka in 1972. Sri Lanka's more recent history was marred by a 26-year [[Sri Lankan Civil War|civil war]], which began in 1983 and ended in 2009, when the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]] defeated the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]].<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-srilanka-war-sb-idUSTRE54D1GR20090518 Reuters Sri Lanka wins civil war, says kills rebel leader] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016032645/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/05/18/us-srilanka-war-sb-idUSTRE54D1GR20090518 |date=16 October 2015 }} [[Reuters]] (18 May 2009). Retrieved 18 November 2012.</ref>

Sri Lanka is a [[developing country]], ranking 73rd on the [[Human Development Index]]. It is the highest-ranked South Asian nation in terms of development and has the second-highest [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|per capita income]] in South Asia. However, [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|the ongoing economic crisis]] has resulted in the collapse of its currency, rising inflation, and a humanitarian crisis due to a severe shortage of essentials. It has also led to an eruption of [[2022 Sri Lankan protests|street protests]], with citizens successfully demanding that the [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] and the [[Government of Sri Lanka|Government]] step down.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Ellis-Petersen |first=Hannah |date=9 April 2022 |title='We're finished': Sri Lankans pushed to the brink by financial crisis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/09/sri-lanka-financial-crisis-protesters-call-for-gotabaya-rajapaksa-resignation-please |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=[[The Observer]] |language=en}}</ref> The country has had a long history of engagement with modern international groups: it is a founding member of the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|SAARC]] and a member of the [[United Nations]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], the [[Group of 77|G77]] and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]].

== Toponymy ==
{{Main|Names of Sri Lanka}}

In antiquity, Sri Lanka was known to travellers by a variety of names. According to the ''[[Mahāvaṃsa]]'', the legendary [[Prince Vijaya]] named the island [[Kingdom of Tambapanni|Tambapaṇṇĩ]] ("[[Copper (color)|copper-red]] hands" or "copper-red earth"), because his followers' hands were reddened by the [[red soil]] of the area where he landed.<ref>{{cite book |author=Nanda Pethiyagoda Wanasundera |title=Sri Lanka |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Ts1khhfXm8C&pg=PA26 |year=2002 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |isbn=978-0-7614-1477-3 |page=26}}</ref><ref name="JMS_1997">{{cite book |author=John M. Senaveratna |title=The story of the Sinhalese from the most ancient times up to the end of "the Mahavansa" or Great dynasty |publisher=Asian Educational Services |date=1997 |page=11 |isbn=978-81-206-1271-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X9TeEcMi0e0C&pg=PA11+}}</ref> In [[Hindu mythology]], the term [[Lanka|''Lankā'']] ("Island") appears but it is unknown whether it refers to the modern day state. The Tamil term [[Eelam]] ({{Lang-ta|ஈழம்|translit=īḻam}}) was used to designate the whole island in [[Sangam literature]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zS4OAQAAMAAJ |title=Encyclopedia of the world's minorities |last=Skutsch |first=Carl |date=2005 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-57958-470-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d_anEcoRJIQC&pg=PT105 |title=Autonomy and Ethnic Conflict in South and South-East Asia |last=Ganguly |first=Rajat |date=20 May 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-31188-8 |language=en}}</ref> The island was known [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura|under Chola rule]] as ''Mummudi Cholamandalam'' ("realm of the [[Three Crowned Kings|three crowned]] Cholas").<ref>{{Cite book |title=Art of the Imperial Cholas |last=Dehejia |first=Vidya |date=18 October 1990 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-51524-5 |pages=51 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Ancient Greek]] geographers called it ''[[Taprobana|Taprobanā]]'' ({{lang-grc|Ταπροβανᾶ}}) or ''Taprobanē'' ({{lang|grc|Ταπροβανῆ}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/slm-taprobane.htm |title=In Search of Taprobane: the Western discovery and mapping of Ceylon |author=Abeydeera, Ananda}}</ref> from the word ''Tambapanni''. The Persians and Arabs referred to it as ''Sarandīb'' (the origin of the word "[[serendipity]]") from [[Sanskrit]] ''Siṃhaladvīpaḥ''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.hobson.994549 |title=Hobson-Jobson |publisher=Dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu |date=1 September 2001 |access-date=15 August 2018 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227225430/http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/contextualize.pl?p.0.hobson.994549 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/serendipity |title=Serendipity – definition of serendipity by The Free Dictionary |publisher=Thefreedictionary.com |date=10 November 2017 |access-date=15 August 2018}}</ref> ''Ceilão'', the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese Empire when it arrived in 1505,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rajasingham |first1=K. T. |title=Sri Lanka: The untold story |url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/CH11Df02.html |website=[[Asia Times]] |access-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010814202127/http://atimes.com/ind-pak/CH11Df02.html |archive-date=14 August 2001 |date=11 August 2001 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> was transliterated into English as '''Ceylon'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glue.umd.edu/~pkd/sl/facts/name_origin.html |title=Etymologies of Lanka, Serendib, Taprobane and Ceylon |author=Zubair, Lareef |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422115208/http://www.glue.umd.edu/~pkd/sl/facts/name_origin.html |archive-date=22 April 2007}}</ref> As a British [[crown colony]], the island was known as Ceylon; it achieved independence as the [[Dominion of Ceylon]] in 1948.

The country is now known in Sinhala as ''{{transliteration|si|ISO|Śrī Laṅkā}}'' ({{lang-si|ශ්&zwj;රී ලංකා}}) and in Tamil as ''{{transliteration|ta|ISO|Ilaṅkai}}'' ({{lang-ta|இலங்கை}}, {{IPA-ta|iˈlaŋɡaɪ|IPA}}). In 1972, its formal name was changed to "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka". Later, on 7 September 1978, it was changed to the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/srilanka/constitutions/1978%20Constitution.pdf |title=The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |publisher=University of Minnesota Human Rights Library |date=7 September 1978 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Chapter I – The People, The State And Sovereignty |journal=The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_01_Amd.html |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531083515/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_01_Amd.html |archive-date=31 May 2014 }}</ref> As the name Ceylon still appears in the names of a number of organisations, the Sri Lankan government announced in 2011 a plan to rename all those over which it has authority.<ref>{{cite news |author=Haviland, Charles |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12099596 |title=Sri Lanka erases colonial name, Ceylon |publisher=BBC |date=1 January 2011}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Sri Lanka}}

=== Prehistory ===
{{Main|Prehistory of Sri Lanka}}
The pre-history of Sri Lanka goes back 125,000 years and possibly even as far back as 500,000 years.<ref name="pps">{{cite web |author=Deraniyagala, Siran U. |title=Pre and Protohistoric settlement in Sri Lanka |series=XIII U. I. S. P. P. Congress Proceedings – Forli, 8–14 September 1996 |work=International Union of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Sciences |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/dera1.html |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> The era spans the [[Palaeolithic]], [[Mesolithic]], and early [[Iron Age]]s. Among the [[Paleolithic]] human settlements discovered in Sri Lanka, [[Fa Hien Cave|Pahiyangala]] (37,000 BP), named after the [[Chinese people|Chinese]] traveller [[Bhikkhu|monk]] [[Faxian]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/in4/visitsl/prehistoric/pahiyagala/pahiyangala.htm |title=Pahiyangala (Fa-Hiengala) Caves |work=angelfire.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> [[Batadombalena]] (28,500 BP);<ref name="btd">{{Cite book |author=Kennedy, Kenneth A.R., Disotell, T.W., Roertgen, J., Chiment, J., Sherry, J. |title=Ancient Ceylon 6: Biological anthropology of upper Pleistocene hominids from Sri Lanka: Batadomba Lena and Beli Lena caves |pages=165–265}}</ref> and [[Belilena]] (12,000 BP) are the most important. In these caves, archaeologists have found the remains of [[anatomy|anatomically]] modern [[humans]] which they have named [[Balangoda Man]], and other evidence<ref>{{Harvnb|De Silva|1981|pp=6–7}}</ref> suggesting that they may have engaged in [[agriculture]] and kept domestic dogs for driving game.<ref>{{cite book |author=Deraniyagal, Siran |title=The Prehistory of Sri Lanka |publisher=Department of Archaeological Survey |year=1992 |place=[[Colombo]] | page=454 |isbn=978-955-9159-00-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZihuAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

The earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka were probably ancestors of the [[Vedda people]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/dera2.html |title=Early Man and the Rise of Civilisation in Sri Lanka: the Archaeological Evidence |author=Deraniyagala, S.U. |work=lankalibrary.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> an indigenous people numbering approximately 2,500 living in modern-day Sri Lanka.

During the protohistoric period (1000–500 BCE) Sri Lanka was culturally united with southern India,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30208096.ece |title=Reading the past in a more inclusive way – Interview with Dr. Sudharshan Seneviratne |work=Frontline (2006)|date=26 January 2006 }}</ref> and shared the same megalithic burials, [[Black and red ware culture|pottery]], iron technology, farming techniques and [[megalithic graffiti symbols|megalithic graffiti]].<ref name="Seneviratne">{{cite book |last=Seneviratne |first=Sudharshan |title=Social base of early Buddhism in south east India and Sri Lanka |date=1984}}</ref><ref name="Karunaratne">{{cite book |last=Karunaratne |first=Priyantha |title=Secondary state formation during the early iron age on the island of Sri Lanka : the evolution of a periphery |date=2010}}</ref> This cultural complex spread from southern India along with Dravidian clans such as the [[Velir]], prior to the migration of [[Prakrit]] speakers.<ref>Robin Conningham – Anuradhapura – The British-Sri Lankan Excavations at Anuradhapura Salgaha Watta
Volumes 1 and 2 (1999/2006)</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Seneviratne |first=Sudarshan |year=1989 |title=Pre-state chieftains and servants of the state: a case study of Parumaka |url=http://dlib.pdn.ac.lk/archive/handle/123456789/2078 |language=en|journal=The Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities}}</ref><ref name="Seneviratne" />

One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian [[Epic poetry|epic]] [[Ramayana]], which provides details of a kingdom named ''[[Lanka]]'' that was created by the divine sculptor [[Vishwakarma|Vishvakarma]] for [[Kubera]], the God of Wealth.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Keshavadas, Sant |title=Ramayana at a Glance |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1988 |isbn=978-81-208-0545-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XIatVGyjmQC}}</ref> It is said that Kubera was overthrown by his [[rakshasa]] stepbrother, [[Ravana]].<ref name="parkrsl">{{Cite book |author=Parker, H. |title=Ancient Ceylon |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=1992 |page=7 |isbn=978-81-206-0208-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nk8xpkY0bqEC}}</ref>

=== Ancient history ===
{{Main|Pre Anuradhapura period|Anuradhapura period}}
[[File:Ptolemy's Taprobana.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ptolemy's world map]] of Ceylon, first century CE, in a 1535 publication]]

According to the ''[[Mahavamsa|Mahāvamsa]]'', a [[Pali|Pāḷi]] chronicle written in the 5th century CE, the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka are said to be the [[Yaksha]]s and [[Naga people (Lanka)|Nagas]]. Ancient cemeteries that were used before 600 [[Common Era|BCE]] have also been discovered in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ancient graves during pre-Wijeya era found |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/91681/ancient-graves-wijeya-era-found |website=dailymirror.lk |access-date=20 October 2015}}</ref> Sinhalese history traditionally starts in 543 BCE with the arrival of [[Prince Vijaya]], a semi-legendary prince who sailed with 700 followers to Sri Lanka, after being expelled from [[Vanga Kingdom]] (present-day [[Bengal]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/06-coming-vijaya/ |title=The Coming of Vijaya |work=The Mahavamsa|date=8 October 2011 }}</ref> He established the [[Kingdom of Tambapanni]], near modern-day [[Mannar, Sri Lanka|Mannar]]. Vijaya (Singha) is the first of the approximately [[List of Sri Lankan monarchs|189 monarchs of Sri Lanka]] described in chronicles such as the ''[[Dipavamsa]]'', ''Mahāvaṃsa'', ''[[Culavamsa|Cūḷavaṃsa]]'', and ''Rājāvaliya''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen3000.html |title=Vijaya (Singha) and the Lankan Monarchs – Family #3000 |work=[[Ancestry.com]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

Once [[Prakrit]] speakers had attained dominance on the island, the [[Mahavamsa]] further recounts the later migration of royal brides and service castes from the Tamil [[Pandya Kingdom]] to the [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]] in the early historic period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mahavamsa.org/mahavamsa/original-version/07-consecrating-vijaya/ |title=The Consecrating of Vijaya |work=Mahavamsa|date=8 October 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:Buda de Avukana - 01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The [[Avukana Buddha statue]], a {{convert|12|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} standing Buddha statue from the reign of [[Dhatusena of Anuradhapura]], 5th century]]

The [[Anuradhapura period]] (377 BCE{{snd}}1017 CE) began with the establishment of the [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]] in 380 BCE during the reign of [[Pandukabhaya of Anuradhapura|Pandukabhaya]]. Thereafter, Anuradhapura served as the [[capital city]] of the country for nearly 1,400 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/anuradhapura.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040107085324/http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/anuradhapura.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 January 2004 |title=World Heritage site: Anuradhapura |work=worldheritagesite.org |access-date=15 July 2014 }}</ref> Ancient Sri Lankans excelled at building certain types of [[Ancient constructions of Sri Lanka|structures]] such as [[Sri Lankan irrigation network|tanks]], [[Stupa|dagobas]] and palaces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mysrilankaholidays.com/ancient-sinhalese-irrigation.html |title=Waterworld: Ancient Sinhalese Irrigation |work=mysrilankaholidays.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Society underwent a major transformation during the reign of [[Devanampiya Tissa of Anuradhapura|Devanampiya Tissa]], with the arrival of [[Buddhism]] from India. In 250 BCE,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/perera/wheel100.html#preface |title=Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History |author=Perera H. R. |work=accesstoinsight.org |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> [[Mahinda (Buddhist monk)|Mahinda]], a [[bhikkhu]] and the son of the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] Emperor [[Ashoka]] arrived in [[Mihintale]] carrying the message of Buddhism.<ref name="Macmillan1">{{cite book |author=Holt, John Clifford |contribution=Sri Lanka |year=2004 |title=Macmillan Encyclopedia of Buddhism |editor=Buswell, Robert E. Jr. |pages=795–799 |publisher=Macmillan Reference |isbn=978-0-8160-5459-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5dxCHAAACAAJ}}</ref> His mission won over the monarch, who embraced the faith and propagated it throughout the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese population]].<ref name="mahav1">{{cite web |url=http://mahavamsa.org/2008/05/king-devanampiya-tissa-306-bc/ |title=King Devanampiya Tissa (306 BC – 266 BC) |work=[[Mahavamsa]] |date=28 May 2008 | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

Succeeding kingdoms of Sri Lanka would maintain many [[schools of Buddhism|Buddhist schools]] and monasteries and support the propagation of Buddhism into other countries in [[Southeast Asia]]. Sri Lankan Bhikkhus studied in India's famous ancient Buddhist University of [[Nalanda]], which was destroyed by [[Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji|Bakhtiyar Khilji]]. It is probable that many of the scriptures from Nalanda are preserved in Sri Lanka's many monasteries and that the written form of the [[Tripiṭaka]], including Sinhalese Buddhist literature, were part of the University of Nalanda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/lanka-txt.htm |title=Buddhism in Sri Lanka |work=buddhanet.net |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In 245 BCE, [[bhikkhuni]] [[Sanghamitta]] arrived with the [[Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi]] tree, which is considered to be a sapling from the historical [[Bodhi Tree]] under which [[Gautama Buddha]] became enlightened.<ref>{{Harvnb|Paw|p=6}}</ref> It is considered the oldest human-planted tree (with a continuous historical record) in the world. ([[Bodhi Vamsa|Bodhivamsa]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://print.dailymirror.lk/features/139-feature/38344.html |title=Historical trees: Overlooked aspect of heritage that needs a revival of interest |author=Gunawardana, Jagath |work=Daily Mirror |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715154617/http://print.dailymirror.lk/features/139-feature/38344.html |archive-date=15 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Evans |first1=Julian |title=Plantation Forestry in the Tropics: Tree Planting for Industrial, Social, Environmental, and Agroforestry Purposes |date=1992 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=9780198542575 |page=26 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h1oF-88qKRsC |access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref>

Sri Lanka experienced the first of many foreign invasions during the reign of [[Suratissa of Anuradhapura|Suratissa]], who was defeated by two horse traders named [[Sena and Guttika]] from [[South India]].<ref name="mahav1" /> The next invasion came immediately in 205 BCE by a [[Chola]] named [[Elara (monarch)|Elara]], who overthrew [[Asela of Anuradhapura|Asela]] and ruled the country for 44 years. [[Dutugamunu]], the eldest son of the southern regional sub-king, [[Kavan Tissa, Prince of Ruhuna|Kavan Tissa]], defeated Elara in the [[Battle of Vijithapura]]. During its two and a half millennia of existence, the [[Sinhala Kingdom]] was invaded at least eight times by neighbouring South Indian dynasties such as the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]], [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]], and [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]].{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} There also were incursions by the kingdoms of [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] (modern [[Odisha]]) and from the [[Malay Peninsula]] as well.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

[[File:Sigiriya.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Sigiriya]] ("Lion Rock"), a rock fortress and city, built by King [[Kashyapa I of Anuradhapura|Kashyapa]] (477–495 CE) as a new more defensible capital. It was also used as a Buddhist monastery after the capital was moved back to [[Anuradhapura]].]]

The [[Fourth Buddhist Council]] of [[Theravada]] Buddhism was held at the [[Anuradhapura Maha Viharaya]] in Sri Lanka under the patronage of [[Valagamba of Anuradhapura]] in 25 BCE. The council was held in response to a year in which the harvests in Sri Lanka were particularly poor and many [[bhikkhu|Buddhist monks]] subsequently died of starvation. Because the [[Pāli Canon]] was at that time [[oral literature]] maintained in several recensions by ''dhammabhāṇaka''s ([[dharma]] reciters), the surviving monks recognised the danger of not writing it down so that even if some of the monks whose duty it was to study and remember parts of the Canon for later generations died, the teachings would not be lost.{{sfn | Buswell | Lopez | 2013 | p=200}} After the council, [[palm-leaf manuscript]]s containing the completed Canon were taken to other countries such as [[Burma]], [[Thailand]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Laos]].

Sri Lanka was the first Asian country known to have a female ruler: [[Anula of Anuradhapura]] (r. 47–42 BCE).<ref name="sigiriya12">{{cite web |title=The History of Ceylon |work=sltda.gov.lk |url=http://www.sltda.gov.lk/history |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808014733/http://www.sltda.gov.lk/history |archive-date=8 August 2014 }}</ref> Sri Lankan monarchs undertook some remarkable construction projects such as [[Sigiriya]], the so-called "Fortress in the Sky", built during the reign of [[Kashyapa I of Anuradhapura]], who ruled between 477 and 495. The Sigiriya rock fortress is surrounded by an extensive network of ramparts and moats. Inside this protective enclosure were gardens, ponds, pavilions, palaces and other structures.<ref name="Ponnamperuma 2013">{{cite book |last=Ponnamperuma |first=Senani |title=Story of Sigiriya |year=2013 |publisher=Panique Pty Ltd |location=Melboune |isbn=978-0-9873451-1-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=25zxmgEACAAJ}}</ref><ref name="Bandaranayake 1999">{{cite book |last=Bandaranayake |first=Senake |title=Sigiriya: City, Palace, and Royal Gardens |year=1999 |publisher=Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs |location=Colombo |isbn=978-955-613-111-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vw9uAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

In 993 CE, the invasion of [[Chola dynasty|Chola emperor]] [[Rajaraja I]] forced the then Sinhalese ruler [[Mahinda V of Anuradhapura|Mahinda V]] to flee to the southern part of Sri Lanka. Taking advantage of this situation, [[Rajendra Chola I|Rajendra I]], son of Rajaraja I, launched a large invasion in 1017. Mahinda V was captured and taken to India, and the Cholas [[Chola conquest of Anuradhapura|sacked the city of Anuradhapura]] causing the fall of [[Anuradhapura Kingdom]]. Subsequently, they moved the capital to [[Polonnaruwa]].<ref name="Siriweera 2004, p. 44">{{cite book |last=Siriweera |first=W. I. |title=A Study of the Economic History of Pre Modern Sri Lanka |publisher=Vikas Publishing House |year=1994 |isbn=978-0-7069-7621-2 |pages=44–45 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OubsAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>

=== Post-classical period ===
{{Main|Polonnaruwa period|Transitional period of Sri Lanka}}
Following a 17-year-long campaign, [[Vijayabahu I of Polonnaruwa|Vijayabahu I]] successfully drove the Chola out of Sri Lanka in 1070, reuniting the country for the first time in over a century.<ref>Codrington, [http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap04.html Ch. 4]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localhistories.org/srilanka.html |title=A Brief History of Sri Lanka |author=Lambert, Tim |work=localhistories.org |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Upon his request, ordained monks were sent from [[Burma]] to Sri Lanka to re-establish Buddhism, which had almost disappeared from the country during the Chola reign.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Relations between Ceylon and Burma in the 11th Century AD |volume=23 |pages=93–95 |author=Bokay, Mon |journal=Artibus Asiae. Supplementum |year=1966 |publisher=Artibus Asiae Publishers |jstor=1522637 |doi=10.2307/1522637 }}</ref> During the medieval period, Sri Lanka was divided into three sub-territories, namely, [[Principality of Ruhuna|Ruhunu]], Pihiti and [[Maya Rata|Maya]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lakdiva.org/coins/medievallanka/1153_1186_parakramabahu~i_Em.html |title=Ancient Irrigation Works |work=lakdiva.org |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102152939/http://lakdiva.org/coins/medievallanka/1153_1186_parakramabahu~i_Em.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Gal Viharaya 02.jpg|thumb|The seated image of [[Gal Vihara]] in [[Polonnaruwa]], 12th century, which depicts the [[List of mudras (yoga)|dhyana mudra]], shows signs of [[Mahayana]] influence.]]
Sri Lanka's [[Sri Lankan irrigation network|irrigation system]] was extensively expanded during the reign of [[Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa|Parākramabāhu the Great]] (1153–1186).<ref name="ethniccr">{{cite book |title=Sri Lankan Ethnic Crisis: Towards a Resolution |author=Herath, R. B. |year=2002 |publisher=Trafford Publishing |isbn=978-1-55369-793-0 |quote=Parakramabahu 1 further extended the system to the highest resplendent peak of hydraulic civilization of the country's history. |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jzMCzJxJBpsC}}</ref> This period is considered as a time when Sri Lanka was at the height of its power.<ref>{{cite book |title=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland: Volume 7 |year=1875 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] for the Royal Asiatic Society |place=[[Cambridge]] | quote=... and when at the height of its prosperity, during the long and glorious reign of Parakramabahu the Great ... |page=152 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rPo78i8KrlEC}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Beveridge |first=H. |year=1894 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRngAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA324 |title=The Site of Karna Suvarna |journal=Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal |volume=62 |quote=His [Parakramabahu's] reign is described by Tumour as having been the most martial, enterprising, and glorious in Singhalese history. |page=324 |via=Google Books}}</ref> He built 1,470 reservoirs – the highest number by any ruler in Sri Lanka's history – repaired 165 dams, 3,910 canals, 163 major reservoirs, and 2,376 mini-reservoirs.<ref name="ethniccr1" /> His most famous construction is the [[Parakrama Samudra]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-45.html |title=Parakrama Samudra |publisher=International Lake Environment Committee |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605083015/http://www.ilec.or.jp/database/asi/asi-45.html |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> the largest irrigation project of medieval Sri Lanka. Parākramabāhu's reign is memorable for two major campaigns – in the south of India as part of a Pandyan war of succession, and a punitive strike against the kings of Ramanna ([[Myanmar|Burma]]) for various perceived insults to Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://srilankanheritage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=32&lang=en |title=ParakramaBahu I: 1153–1186 |work=lakdiva.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204034638/http://srilankanheritage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=32&lang=en |archive-date=4 February 2014}}</ref>

After his demise, Sri Lanka gradually decayed in power. In 1215, [[Kalinga Magha]], an invader with uncertain origins, identified as the founder of the Jaffna kingdom, invaded and captured the [[Kingdom of Polonnaruwa]]. He sailed from [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]<ref name="ethniccr1">{{cite book |title=Sri Lankan Ethnic Crisis: Towards a Resolution |author=Herath, R.B. |year=2002 |publisher=Trafford Publishing |isbn=978-1-55369-793-0 |pages=18–21 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jzMCzJxJBpsC}}</ref> 690 nautical miles on 100 large ships with a 24,000 strong army. Unlike previous invaders, he [[Looting|looted]], ransacked and destroyed everything in the ancient Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Kingdoms beyond recovery.<ref>{{cite book |title=Security dilemma of a small state, Part 1 |author=Jayasekera, P.V.J. |year=1992 |publisher=Institute for International Studies [[University of Peradeniya]], Sri Lanka |place=[[Peradeniya]] | isbn=978-81-7003-148-2 |quote=..His invasion in 1215 was more or less a looting expedition.. |page=25 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRngAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> His priorities in ruling were to extract as much as possible from the land and overturn as many of the traditions of [[Rajarata]] as possible. His reign saw the massive migration of native [[Sinhalese people]] to the south and west of Sri Lanka, and into the mountainous interior, in a bid to escape his power.<ref name="Nadarajan, V p. 72">Nadarajan, V ''History of Ceylon Tamils'', p. 72</ref><ref name="Indrapala, K p. 16">Indrapala, K ''Early Tamil Settlements in Ceylon'', p. 16</ref>

Sri Lanka never really recovered from the effects of Kalinga Magha's invasion. King Vijayabâhu III, who led the resistance, brought the kingdom to [[Kingdom of Dambadeniya|Dambadeniya]]. The north, in the meanwhile, eventually evolved into the [[Jaffna kingdom]].<ref name="Nadarajan, V p. 72" /><ref name="Indrapala, K p. 16" /> The Jaffna kingdom never came under the rule of any kingdom of the south except on one occasion; in 1450, following the conquest led by king [[Parakramabahu VI of Kotte|Parâkramabâhu VI]]'s adopted son, [[Bhuvanaikabahu VI of Kotte|Prince Sapumal]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Gnanaprakasar, Swamy |title=A Critical History of Jaffna |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=2003 |place=[[New Delhi]] | page=122 |isbn=978-81-206-1686-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o9H53Sldfv8C}}</ref> He ruled the North from 1450 to 1467 CE.<ref>{{cite book |author=Holt, John Clifford |title=Buddha in the Crown: Avalokitesvara in the Buddhist Traditions of Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] | year=1991 |page=304 |isbn=978-0-19-506418-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eDbnCwAAQBAJ}}</ref>

The next three centuries starting from 1215 were marked by kaleidoscopically shifting collections of capitals in south and central Sri Lanka, including Dambadeniya, [[Yapahuwa]], [[Gampola]], [[Raigama]], [[Kingdom of Kotte|Kotte]],<ref name="HC">Codrington, [http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap06.html Ch. 6]</ref> [[Kingdom of Sitawaka|Sitawaka]], and finally, [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandy]]. In 1247, the Malay kingdom of [[Tambralinga]] which was a vassal of the [[Srivijaya Empire]] led by their king [[Chandrabhanu]]<ref>India's interaction with Southeast Asia, by Govind Chandra Pande p.286</ref> briefly invaded Sri Lanka from [[Insular Southeast Asia]]. They were then expelled by the South Indian Pandyan dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Craig J. Reynolds |title=Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand: The Cosmos of a Southern Policeman |publisher=ANU Press |year=2019 |pages=74–75}}</ref> However, this temporary invasion reinforced the steady flow of the presence of various [[Austronesian people|Austronesian]] merchant ethnic groups, from [[Sri Lankan Malays|Sumatrans]] (Indonesia) to [[Philippines–Sri Lanka relations|Lucoes]] (Philippines) into Sri Lanka which occurred since 200 BCE.<ref>[https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p69411/pdf/book.pdf "Astronesians Historical and Comparative Perspectives" Page 146] "Annual trade between China and India through the Malacca Straits had opened by about 200 BCE. Perhaps by that time Austronesian sailors were regularly carrying cloves and cinnamon to India and Sri Lanka, and perhaps even as far as the coast of Africa in boats with outriggers. Certainly they have left numerous traces in canoe design, rigs, outriggers and fishing techniques, and a mention in Greek literature (Christie 1957)."</ref> Chinese admiral [[Zheng He]] and his naval expeditionary force landed at Galle, Sri Lanka in 1409 and got into [[Ming-Kotte War|battle]] with the local king [[Vira Alakesvara of Gampola]]. Zheng He captured King Vira Alakesvara and later released him.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Geoff Wade, 2005 |url=http://www.epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/entry/1778?hl=%22Zheng+He%22 |title=South East Aisa in Ming Shi-lu |access-date=13 April 2015 |archive-date=23 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623012455/http://epress.nus.edu.sg/msl/entry/1778?hl=%22Zheng+He%22 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=National Geographic |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0507/feature2/map.html |title=Voyages of Zheng He 1405–1433 |access-date=13 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Columbia University |url=http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/china_1000ce_mingvoyages.htm |title=Ming Voyages |access-date=13 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=aramco world |url=https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/the.admiral.zheng.he.htm |title=Admiral Zheng He |access-date=13 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031051234/https://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/200504/the.admiral.zheng.he.htm |archive-date=31 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Zheng He erected the [[Galle Trilingual Inscription]], a stone tablet at [[Galle]] written in three [[languages]] ([[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and [[Persian language|Persian]]), to commemorate his visit.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=lankalibrary forum |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1022 |title=The trilingual inscription of Admiral Zheng He |access-date=13 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620165307/http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1022 |archive-date=20 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=world heritage site |url=http://www.worldheritagesite.org/tags/tag622.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412063521/http://www.worldheritagesite.org/tags/tag622.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2010 |title=Zheng He |access-date=13 April 2015 }}</ref> The [[stele]] was discovered by S. H. Thomlin at Galle in 1911 and is now preserved in the [[National Museum of Colombo|Colombo National Museum]].

=== Early modern period ===
{{Main|Kandyan period}}
{{See also|Portuguese Ceylon|Dutch Ceylon|British Ceylon period}}
[[File:SpilbergenVimala.jpg|thumb|left|A 17th-century engraving of [[Dutch colonial empire|Dutch]] explorer [[Joris van Spilbergen]] meeting with King Vimaladharmasuriya in 1602]]
[[File:Laor Sri Lanka Map (Cropped).jpg|thumb|left|alt=A 1595 map of Sri Lanka created by Dutch cartographer [[Petrus Plancius]]|A 1595 map of Sri Lanka created by [[Dutch colonial empire|Dutch]] cartographer [[Petrus Plancius]]]]
The early modern period of Sri Lanka begins with the arrival of [[Portugal|Portuguese]] soldier and explorer [[Lourenço de Almeida]], the son of [[Francisco de Almeida]], in 1505.<ref name="francal">{{cite web |url=http://www.thondaman.org/srilankanhistory.html |title=Sri Lanka History |publisher=Thondaman Foundation}}</ref> In 1517, the Portuguese built a fort at the port city of [[Colombo]] and gradually extended their control over the coastal areas. In 1592, after decades of intermittent warfare with the Portuguese, [[Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy|Vimaladharmasuriya I]] moved his kingdom to the inland city of [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandy]], a location he thought more secure from attack.<ref name="isl23">{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/2005/08/27/satmag1.html |title=King Wimaladharmasuriya |work=S.B. Karalliyadde – The Island |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=26 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126054442/http://www.island.lk/2005/08/27/satmag1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1619, succumbing to attacks by the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]], the independent existence of the [[Jaffna kingdom]] came to an end.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Knox, Robert |author-link=Robert Knox (sailor) |year=1681 |title=An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon |pages=19–47 |publisher=Reprint. Asian Educational Services |place=London |title-link=An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon}}</ref>

During the reign of the [[Rajasinha II of Kandy|Rajasinha II]], [[Dutch people|Dutch]] explorers arrived on the island. In 1638, the king signed a [[Kandyan Treaty of 1638|treaty]] with the [[Dutch East India Company]] to get rid of the Portuguese who ruled most of the coastal areas.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Dutch in Ceylon: an account of their early visits to the island, their conquests, and their rule over the maritime regions during a century and a half |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h2mkUharg6AC |author=Anthonisz, Richard Gerald |publisher=Asian Educational Services |year=2003 |isbn=978-81-206-1845-9 |pages=37–43}}</ref> The following [[Dutch–Portuguese War]] resulted in a Dutch victory, with Colombo falling into Dutch hands by 1656. The Dutch remained in the areas they had captured, thereby violating the treaty they had signed in 1638. The [[Burgher people]], a distinct ethnic group, emerged as a result of intermingling between the Dutch and native Sri Lankans in this period.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47wCTCJX9X4C |title=Being "Dutch" in the Indies: a history of creolisation and empire, 1500–1920 |author=Bosma, U. |publisher=[[University of Michigan]] | year=2008 |isbn=978-0-89680-261-2 |chapter=1}}</ref>

The Kingdom of Kandy was the last independent monarchy of Sri Lanka.<ref name="kandyk">{{cite web |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/070304/KandyTimes/514_kt1.html |title=A kingdom is born, a kingdom is lost |work=The Sunday Times |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In 1595, Vimaladharmasurya brought the sacred [[Relic of the tooth of the Buddha|Tooth Relic]]—the traditional symbol of royal and religious authority amongst the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]]—to Kandy and built the [[Temple of the Tooth]].<ref name="kandyk" /> In spite of on-going intermittent warfare with Europeans, the kingdom survived. Later, a crisis of succession emerged in Kandy upon king [[Vira Narendra Sinha of Sri Lanka|Vira Narendrasinha]]'s death in 1739. He was married to a [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-speaking [[Nayaks of Madurai|Nayakkar]] princess from South India ([[Madurai]]) and was childless by her.<ref name="kandyk" />

Eventually, with the support of [[bhikku]] Weliwita Sarankara and ignoring the right of ''"Unambuwe Bandara"'', the crown passed to the brother of one of Narendrasinha's princesses, overlooking Narendrasinha's own son by a Sinhalese [[Concubinage|concubine]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Language, Religion, and Ethnic Assertiveness: The Growth of Sinhalese Nationalism in Sri Lanka0 |author=Dharmadasa, K.N.O. |publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]] | year=1992 |isbn=978-0-472-10288-4 |pages=8–12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x8NQrTmjpRcC}}</ref> The new king was crowned [[Vijaya Rajasinha of Kandy|Sri Vijaya Rajasinha]] later that year. Kings of the Nayakkar dynasty launched several attacks on Dutch controlled areas, which proved to be unsuccessful.<ref>Codrington, [http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap09.html Ch. 9]</ref>
[[File:Sri Vikrama Rajasinha.jpg|thumb|[[Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy]], the last ruling native Sri Lankan monarch]]

During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], fearing that French control of the Netherlands might deliver Sri Lanka to the French, the [[British Empire]] occupied the coastal areas of the island (which they [[geographical renaming|called]] the colony of [[British Ceylon]]) with little difficulty in 1796.<ref name="colvoyg">{{cite web |url=http://www.colonialvoyage.com/trincomalee-first-british-occupation-definitive-dutch-surrender/ |title=The first British occupation and the definitive Dutch surrender |work=colonialvoyage.com |date=18 February 2014}}</ref> Two years later, in 1798, [[Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha of Kandy|Sri Rajadhi Rajasinha]], third of the four Nayakkar kings of Sri Lanka, died of a fever. Following his death, a nephew of Rajadhi Rajasinha, eighteen-year-old Kannasamy, was crowned.<ref name="scnsl">{{cite web |url=http://www.scenicsrilanka.com/history-of-sri-lanka-1948.html |title=History of Sri Lanka and significant World events from 1796 AD to 1948 |work=scenicsrilanka.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102055412/http://www.scenicsrilanka.com/history-of-sri-lanka-1948.html |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> The young king, now named [[Sri Vikrama Rajasinha of Kandy|Sri Vikrama Rajasinha]], faced a [[British Empire|British]] invasion in 1803 but successfully retaliated. The First Kandyan War ended in a stalemate.<ref name="scnsl" />

By then the entire coastal area was under the [[British East India Company]] as a result of the [[Treaty of Amiens]]. On 14 February 1815, [[Kingdom of Kandy|Kandy]] was occupied by the British in the [[Kandyan Wars|second Kandyan War]], ending Sri Lanka's independence.<ref name="scnsl" /> Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last native monarch of Sri Lanka, was exiled to India.<ref>Codrington, [http://lakdiva.org/codrington/chap11.html Ch. 11]</ref> The [[Kandyan Convention]] formally ceded the entire country to the British Empire. Attempts by Sri Lankan noblemen to undermine British power in 1818 during the [[Great Rebellion of 1817–1818|Uva Rebellion]] were thwarted by [[British governors of Ceylon|Governor]] [[Robert Brownrigg]].<ref name="keppetipola">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/keppetipola2.htm |title=Keppetipola and the Uva Rebellion |work=lankalibrary.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

The beginning of the modern period of Sri Lanka is marked by the [[Colebrooke-Cameron Commission|Colebrooke-Cameron reforms]] of 1833.<ref name="corankel" /> They introduced a [[Utilitarianism|utilitarian]] and [[Liberalism|liberal]] political culture to the country based on the [[rule of law]] and amalgamated the Kandyan and maritime provinces as a single unit of government.<ref name="corankel" /> An [[Executive Council of Ceylon|executive council]] and a [[Legislative Council of Ceylon|legislative council]] were established, later becoming the foundation of a representative legislature. By this time, experiments with [[coffee]] plantations were largely successful.<ref name="Nubin 2002 115">{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|p=115}}</ref>

Soon, coffee became the primary commodity export of Sri Lanka. Falling coffee prices as a result of the [[Panic of 1847|depression of 1847]] stalled economic development and prompted the governor to introduce a series of taxes on firearms, dogs, shops, boats, etc., and to reintroduce a form of ''rajakariya'', requiring six days free labour on roads or payment of a cash equivalent.<ref name="Nubin 2002 115" /> These harsh measures antagonised the locals, and [[Matale Rebellion|another rebellion]] broke out in 1848.<ref name="matale1">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/gongalegoda.htm |title=Gongale Goda Banda (1809–1849) : The leader of the 1848 rebellion |work=Wimalaratne, K.D.G. |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> A devastating leaf disease, ''[[Hemileia vastatrix]]'', struck the coffee plantations in 1869, destroying the entire industry within fifteen years.<ref>{{cite book |author=Lennox A. Mills |title=Ceylon Under British Rule, 1795–1932 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YyHG9ZKl3bwC&pg=PA246 |year=1964 |publisher=Psychology Press |page=246 |isbn=978-0-7146-2019-0}}</ref> The British quickly found a replacement: abandoning coffee, they began cultivating tea instead. [[Tea production in Sri Lanka]] thrived in the following decades. Large-scale rubber plantations began in the early 20th century.

[[File:Kandyan Chiefs in 1905.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|left|British appointed [[Native headmen of Ceylon|Kandyan chief headmen]] in 1905.]]
By the end of the 19th century, a new educated [[social class]] transcending race and [[caste]] arose through British attempts to staff the [[Ceylon Civil Service]] and the legal, educational, engineering, and medical professions with natives.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|pp=116–117}}</ref> New leaders represented the various ethnic groups of the population in the [[Legislative Council of Ceylon|Ceylon Legislative Council]] on a communal basis. Buddhist and Hindu revivalism reacted against [[Mission (Christianity)|Christian missionary]] activities.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q11ID2xfqD8C |author=Bond, George D. |title=The Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka: Religious tradition, reinterpretation and response |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publications |year=1992 |pages=11–22 |isbn=978-81-208-1047-1}}</ref><ref name="tamlwk">{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilweek.com/Cutting_edge_hindu_revivalism_0625.html |title=Cutting edge of Hindu revivalism in Jaffna |date=25 June 2006 |work=Balachandran, P.K. |access-date=18 September 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134643/http://www.tamilweek.com/Cutting_edge_hindu_revivalism_0625.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first two decades in the 20th century are noted by the unique harmony among Sinhalese and [[Tamils|Tamil]] political leadership, which has since been lost.<ref>{{Harvnb|De Silva|1981|p=387}}</ref>

The [[1906 malaria outbreak in Ceylon]] actually started in the early 1900s, but the first case was documented in 1906.

In 1919, major Sinhalese and Tamil political organisations united to form the Ceylon National Congress, under the leadership of [[Ponnambalam Arunachalam]],<ref>{{Harvnb|De Silva|1981|p=386}}</ref> pressing colonial masters for more constitutional reforms. But without massive popular support, and with the governor's encouragement for "communal representation" by creating a "Colombo seat" that dangled between Sinhalese and Tamils, the Congress lost momentum towards the mid-1920s.<ref>{{Harvnb|De Silva|1981|pp=389–395}}</ref>

The [[Donoughmore Constitution|Donoughmore reforms]] of 1931 repudiated the communal representation and introduced [[Universal suffrage|universal adult franchise]] (the franchise stood at 4% before the reforms). This step was strongly criticised by the Tamil political leadership, who realised that they would be reduced to a minority in the newly created [[State Council of Ceylon]], which succeeded the legislative council.<ref name="tamllib">{{cite web |url=http://tamilelibrary.org/teli/slhist.html |title=Chronology of events related to Tamils in Sri Lanka (1500–1948) | work=Hellmann-Rajanayagam, Dagmar |publisher=[[National University of Malaysia]] |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|De Silva|1981|p=423}}</ref> In 1937, Tamil leader [[G. G. Ponnambalam]] demanded a 50–50 representation (50% for the Sinhalese and 50% for other ethnic groups) in the State Council. However, this demand was not met by the [[Soulbury Commission|Soulbury reforms]] of 1944–45.

=== Contemporary history ===
{{Main|History of Sri Lanka (1948–present)}}
{{See also|Sri Lankan independence movement|Sri Lankan Civil War}}
[[File:SL Independence.jpg|thumb|The formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament at [[Independence Square, Colombo|Independence Square]]]]
[[File:J. R. Jayewardene.jpg|right|thumb|150px|J. R. Jayewardene was the most influential political figure of Sri Lanka in the 1970s]]

The Soulbury constitution ushered in [[Dominion of Ceylon|dominion status]], with independence proclaimed on 4 February 1948.<ref name="countrst68">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/21.htm |title=Sinhalese Parties |work=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> [[Don Stephen Senanayake|D. S. Senanayake]] became the first [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|Prime Minister of Ceylon]].<ref name="DS">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/68.htm |title=Sinhalese Parties |work=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Prominent [[Tamils|Tamil]] leaders including Ponnambalam and [[Arunachalam Mahadeva]] joined his cabinet.<ref name="tamllib" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|pp=121–122}}</ref> The [[Royal Navy|British Royal Navy]] remained stationed at [[Trincomalee]] until 1956. A countrywide [[1953 Ceylonese Hartal|popular demonstration]] against withdrawal of the rice rations resulted in the resignation of prime minister [[Dudley Senanayake]].<ref name="islnksd">{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/2008/08/16/satmag1.html |title=Bandaranaike and Hartal of 1953 |author=Weerakoon, Batty |work=The Island |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=26 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126054816/http://www.island.lk/2008/08/16/satmag1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike]] was elected prime minister in 1956. His three-year rule had a profound influence through his self-proclaimed role of "defender of the besieged Sinhalese culture".<ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|p=123}}</ref> He introduced the controversial [[Sinhala Only Act]], recognising [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] as the only official language of the government. Although partially reversed in 1958, the bill posed a grave concern for the Tamil community, which perceived in it a threat to their language and culture.<ref name="FW">{{Cite book |author=Ganguly, Šumit |editor=Brown, Michael E. |title=Fighting Words: language policy and ethnic relations in Asia |publisher=The MIT Press |year=2003 |pages=136–138 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fcoDezu1ABoC |isbn=978-0-262-52333-2 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="AV">{{Cite book |editor1=Schmid, Bettina |editor2=Schroeder, Ingo |title=Anthropology of Violence and Conflict |publisher=Routledge |year=2001 |page=185 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rx-1MdUlzaUC |isbn=978-0-415-22905-0 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="a1">{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka Profile |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12004081 |work=BBC News |date=5 November 2013}}</ref>

The [[Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi|Federal Party]] (FP) launched a movement of non-violent resistance ([[satyagraha]]) against the bill, which prompted Bandaranaike to reach an agreement ([[Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact]]) with [[S. J. V. Chelvanayakam]], leader of the FP, to resolve the looming ethnic conflict.<ref>{{cite book |author=Peebles, Patrick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SxO0eISluqEC |title=The History of Sri Lanka |publisher=Greenwood Press |date=2006 |pages=109–111 |isbn=978-0-313-33205-0}}</ref> The pact proved ineffective in the face of ongoing protests by opposition and the Buddhist clergy. The bill, together with various government [[Sri Lankan state-sponsored colonisation schemes|colonisation schemes]], contributed much towards the political rancour between Sinhalese and Tamil political leaders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Staff profile: Jonathan Spencer |publisher=University of Edinburgh |url=http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/social_anthropology/spencer_jonathan |access-date=15 July 2014 |author-link=University of Edinburgh |archive-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808052143/http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/social_anthropology/spencer_jonathan |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bandaranaike was [[S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike#Assassination|assassinated]] by an extremist Buddhist monk in 1959.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/Cl01Df05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011220212820/http://atimes.com/ind-pak/Cl01Df05.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=20 December 2001 |title=Sri Lanka: The untold story – Assassination of Bandaranaike |work=Rajasingham, K. T. |year=2002 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

{{multiple image |total_width=220
|title = Leaders in 1960
| align = left
| caption_align = center
| image1 = Her Majesty The Queen (1959).jpg
|caption1=[[Elizabeth II]] Queen of Ceylon
|image2= Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Ceylon 1960 (cropped).PNG
|caption2=[[Sirimavo Bandaranaike]] Prime Minister
|footer=1960 saw the election of Sirimavo Bandaranaike as Ceylon's Prime Minister and the first time in world history that the heads of both state and government in a country were female.
}}

[[Sirimavo Bandaranaike]], the widow of Bandaranaike, took office as prime minister in 1960, and withstood an [[1962 Ceylonese coup d'état attempt|attempted coup d'état]] in 1962. During her second term as prime minister, the government instituted socialist economic policies, strengthening ties with the [[Soviet Union]] and China, while promoting a policy of non-alignment. In 1971, Ceylon experienced a [[1971 JVP insurrection|Marxist insurrection]], which was quickly suppressed. In 1972, the country became a [[republic]] named Sri Lanka, repudiating its dominion status. Prolonged minority grievances and the use of communal emotionalism as an election campaign weapon by both Sinhalese and Tamil leaders abetted a fledgling Tamil militancy in the north during the 1970s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|pp=128–129}}</ref> The [[policy of standardisation]] by the Sirimavo government to rectify disparities created in university enrollment, which was in essence an [[affirmative action]] to assist geographically disadvantaged students to obtain tertiary education,<ref name="affrmact">{{cite web |url=http://www.ices.lk/publications/esr/articles_jul97/Esr-kmdesilva.PDF |pages=248–254 |title=Affirmative Action Policies: The Sri Lankan Experience |author1=De Silva |author2=K. M. |date=July 1997 |publisher=International Centre for Ethnic Studies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930154652/http://www.ices.lk/publications/esr/articles_jul97/Esr-kmdesilva.PDF |archive-date=30 September 2011}}</ref> resulted in reducing the proportion of Tamil students at university level and acted as the immediate catalyst for the rise of militancy.<ref>{{cite book |author=Jayasuriya, J.E. |title=Education in the Third World |publisher=Indian Institute of Education |year=1981 |place=[[Pune]] | oclc=7925123}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tamilnation.co/forum/sivaram/940508eelam_history.htm |title=The Exclusive Right to Write Eelam History |author=Taraki Sivaram |date=May 1994 |publisher=Tamil Nation |author-link=Taraki Sivaram}}</ref> The assassination of [[Jaffna]] [[Mayor]] [[Alfred Duraiyappah]] in 1975 by the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]] (LTTE) marked a crisis point.<ref name="Hoffman139">{{Cite book |author=Hoffman, Bruce |title=Inside Terrorism |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] | place=New York |year=2006 |page=139 |isbn=978-0-231-12699-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ayrAgAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref name="rohang">{{cite web |url=http://www.padippakam.com/document/srilankan_gov/gov002.pdf |title=International and Regional Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency |author=Rohan Gunaratna |date=December 1998 |author-link=Rohan Gunaratna}}</ref>

The government of [[J. R. Jayawardene]] swept to power in 1977, defeating the largely unpopular [[United Front (Sri Lanka)|United Front]] government.<ref name="attms">{{cite web |url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DA26Df04.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020213090010/http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DA26Df04.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=13 February 2002 |title=Tamil militancy – a manifestation |author=Rajasingham, K.T. |year=2002 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Jayawardene introduced a [[Constitution of Sri Lanka|new constitution]], together with a [[free-market economy]] and a powerful [[Executive president|executive presidency]] modelled after that of France. It made Sri Lanka the first [[South Asia]]n country to [[Liberalism|liberalise]] its economy.<ref name="filbrn" /> Beginning in [[Four Four Bravo|1983]], ethnic tensions were manifested in an [[Sri Lankan Civil War|on-and-off insurgency]] against the government by the LTTE. An [[Four Four Bravo|LTTE attack on 13 soldiers]] resulted in the start of a civil war, and in response anti-Tamil [[Black July|race riots]] took place, allegedly backed by [[Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism|Sinhalese hard-line]] ministers, which resulted in more than 150,000 Tamil civilians fleeing the island, seeking asylum in other countries.<ref name="Remembering">{{cite news |title=Remembering Sri Lanka's Black July – BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-23402727 |website=BBC News |access-date=20 October 2015 |date=23 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="lkwbblk">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2010/04/27/the-black-july-1983-that-created-a-collective-trauma/ |title=The Black July 1983 that Created a Collective Trauma |work=Jayatunge, Ruwan M. |publisher=LankaWeb |year=2010 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

Lapses in foreign policy resulted in India strengthening the Tigers by providing arms and training.<ref name="sndaytst">{{cite news |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/970119/plus4.html |title=LTTE: the Indian connection |newspaper=Sunday Times |year=1997 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19971212/34650923.html |title=Uppermost in our minds was to save the Gandhis' name |newspaper=Express India |year=1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811204127/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19971212/34650923.html |archive-date=11 August 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2009/07/for-firmer-and-finer-international.html |title=For firmer and finer International Relations |work=Wijesinghe, Sarath |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In 1987, the [[Indo-Sri Lanka Accord]] was signed and the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] (IPKF) was deployed in northern Sri Lanka to stabilise the region by neutralising the LTTE.<ref name="Stokke2000a">{{Cite journal |author=Stokke, K. |author2=Ryntveit, A.K. |year=2000 |title=The Struggle for Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka |journal=Growth and Change: A Journal of Urban and Regional Policy |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=285–304 |doi=10.1111/0017-4815.00129}}</ref> The same year, the [[Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna|JVP]] launched its [[1987–89 JVP Insurrection|second insurrection]] in Southern Sri Lanka,<ref name="secninsr">{{Cite book |author=Gunaratna, Rohan |title=Sri Lanka's Ethnic Crisis and National Security |publisher=South Asian Network on Conflict Research |place=[[Colombo]] | year=1998 |page=353 |isbn=978-955-8093-00-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpnhAAAACAAJ |author-link=Rohan Gunaratna}}</ref> necessitating redeployment of the IPKF in 1990.<ref name="atimes">{{cite web |url=http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DC09Df04.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020416181258/http://www.atimes.com/ind-pak/DC09Df04.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=16 April 2002 |title=Chapter 30: Whirlpool of violence, Sri Lanka: The Untold Story |work=Asia Times |year=2002 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> In October 1990, the LTTE [[Expulsion of Muslims from the Northern province by LTTE|expelled Sri Lankan Moors]] (Muslims by religion) from northern Sri Lanka.<ref name="slnp">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/11/35271_space.html |title=1990, The War Year if Ethnic Cleansing of the Muslims From North and the East of Sri Lanka |publisher=lankanewspapers.com |year=2008 |access-date=21 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012159/http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2008/11/35271_space.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 }}</ref> In 2002, the Sri Lankan government and LTTE signed a Norwegian-mediated ceasefire agreement.<ref name="a1" />

The [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Asian tsunami]] killed over 30,000 and displaced over 500,000 people in Sri Lanka.<ref name="BBC News 2005">{{cite web | title=US presidents in tsunami aid plea | website=BBC News | date=3 January 2005 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4143459.stm#map | access-date=20 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="wsws1">{{cite web|url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/dec2005/sri2-d29.shtml|title=One year after the tsunami, Sri Lankan survivors still live in squalour|publisher=World Socialist Web Site|date=29 December 2005|access-date=24 December 2012|archive-date=23 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123063125/http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/dec2005/sri2-d29.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1985 to 2006, the Sri Lankan government and Tamil insurgents held four rounds of peace talks without success. Both LTTE and the government resumed fighting in 2006, and the government officially backed out of the ceasefire in 2008.<ref name="a1" /> In 2009, under the [[President of Sri Lanka|Presidency]] of [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]], the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]] defeated the LTTE, bringing an end to the civil war on 19 May 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/18/tamil-tigers-killed-sri-lanka |title=Sri Lanka declares end to war with Tamil Tigers |work=The Guardian |date=19 May 2009 |access-date=18 August 2011|location=London |first1=Matthew |last1=Weaver |first2=Gethin |last2=Chamberlain}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Mark |title=Tamil Tigers Confirm Death of Their Leader |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/26/world/asia/26lanka.html |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=24 May 2009|title=Tamil Tigers confirm leader's death|work=[[Al Jazeera English]]|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/05/2009524124042406562.html|access-date=2009-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=2009-05-24|title=Tamil Tigers admit leader is dead|work=[[BBC News]]|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8066129.stm|access-date=2009-05-24}}</ref> and re-established control of the entire country by the Sri Lankan Government.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/may/18/tamil-tigers-killed-sri-lanka |title=Sri Lanka declares end to war with Tamil Tigers |work=The Guardian |date=19 May 2009 |place=London |first1=Matthew |last1=Weaver |first2=Gethin |last2=Chamberlain}}</ref> Overall, between 60,000 and 100,000 people were killed during the course of the 26 years of conflict.<ref name="ABC200509">{{cite news |title=Up to 100,000 killed in Sri Lanka's civil war: UN |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-20/up-to-100000-killed-in-sri-lankas-civil-war-un/1689524 |newspaper=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC Australia]] | date=20 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka |url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/srilanka/index.html?scp=1-spot&sq=sri%20lanka&st=cse |work=[[The New York Times]] |first=Erik |last=Olsen |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 031103-D-2987S-069.jpg|thumb|200px|Ranil Wickremesinghe serving as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka since 2022.]]
[[2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings]] carried out by the terrorist group [[National Thowheeth Jama'ath]] on 21 April 2019 resulted in the death of 261 innocent people.<ref name="timeline">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190428/columns/easter-sunday-massacres-where-do-we-go-from-here-347090.html|title=Easter Sunday massacres: Where do we go from here?}}</ref> On 26 April 2019 an anti [[Sainthamaruthu shootout|terrorist operation]] was carried out against the National Thowheeth Jama'ath by the [[Sri Lanka Army]] with the operation being successful and National Thowheeth Jama'ath's insurgency ending.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-blasts-hospital-idUSKCN1S5113|title=Wife, daughter of Sri Lanka bombings mastermind will survive blast:...|newspaper=Reuters |date=29 April 2019|access-date=24 May 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/54693/15-bodies-including-children-found-at-blast-site-in-sainthamaruthu|title=15 bodies including children found at blast site in Sainthamaruthu|website=www.adaderana.lk|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hirunews.lk/215282/15-bodies-found-from-site-of-shootout-and-explosions-in-saindamaradu6-suicide-bombers-among-them|title=15 bodies found from site of shootout and explosions in Saindamaradu;6 Suicide bombers among them|website=Hiru News|access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref>

Economic troubles in Sri Lanka began in 2019, when a [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|severe economic crisis]] occurred caused by rapidly increasing foreign debt, massive government budget deficits due to tax cuts, falling foreign remittances, a food crisis caused by mandatory organic farming along with a ban on chemical fertilizers, and a multitude of other factors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-23 |title=Everything to Know About Sri Lanka's Economic Crisis |url=https://www.borgenmagazine.com/sri-lankas-economic-crisis/ |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=BORGEN |language=en-US |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519130407/https://www.borgenmagazine.com/sri-lankas-economic-crisis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Sri Lankan Government officially declared the ongoing crisis to be the worst [[Economy of Sri Lanka|economic crisis in the country]] in 73 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-30 |title=Sri Lanka declares worst economic downturn in 73 years |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210430-sri-lanka-declares-worst-economic-downturn-in-73-years |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015180503/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210430-sri-lanka-declares-worst-economic-downturn-in-73-years |archive-date=2021-10-15 |access-date=2021-06-27 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> In August 2021, a food emergency was declared.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2021 |others=Agence France-Presse |title=Sri Lanka declares food emergency as forex crisis worsens |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sri-lanka-declares-food-emergency-forex-crisis-1847478-2021-08-31 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406094041/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/sri-lanka-declares-food-emergency-forex-crisis-1847478-2021-08-31 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2022, Prime Minister [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] declared the collapse of the Sri Lankan economy in parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka's PM says its debt-laden economy has 'collapsed' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/sri-lankas-pm-says-its-debt-laden-economy-has-collapsed-12638329 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622094829/https://news.sky.com/story/sri-lankas-pm-says-its-debt-laden-economy-has-collapsed-12638329 |archive-date=22 June 2022 |access-date=2022-06-22 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> The crisis resulted in Sri Lanka defaulting on its $51 billion sovereign debt for the first time in its history, along with double-digit inflation, a crippling energy crisis that led to approximately 15 hour power cuts, severe fuel shortages leading to the suspension of fuel to all non-essential vehicles, and more such economic disorder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka becomes first Asia-Pacific country in decades to default on foreign debt |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2022/05/19/sri-lanka-becomes-first-asia-pacific-country-in-decades-to-default-on-foreign-debt/ |access-date=19 May 2022 |work=NewsWire |date=19 May 2022 |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519121627/https://www.newswire.lk/2022/05/19/sri-lanka-becomes-first-asia-pacific-country-in-decades-to-default-on-foreign-debt/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-11 |title=Sri Lanka to reduce power cut duration from April 18 as rains start – PUCSL |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-reduce-power-cut-duration-from-april-18-as-rains-start-pucsl-92927 |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=EconomyNext |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706194528/https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-reduce-power-cut-duration-from-april-18-as-rains-start-pucsl-92927/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the crisis, massive [[2022 Sri Lankan protests|street protests]] erupted all over the country, with protesters demanding the resignation of the then-incumbent President [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]]. The protests culminated with the storming and siege of the [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]] on July 9, 2022, and resulted in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing to Singapore<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2022 |title=Sri Lanka protesters break into President's House as thousands rally|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/09/asia/sri-lanka-protest-president-saturday-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=9 July 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> and later emailing his resignation to parliament, formally announcing his resignation and making him the first Sri Lankan president to resign in the middle of his term.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Resigns – letter sent to Speaker of Parliament |url=https://www.hirunews.lk/english/309987/president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-resigns-letter-sent-to-speaker-of-parliament |access-date=14 July 2022 |work=Hiru News |date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714134628/https://www.hirunews.lk/english/309987/president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-resigns-letter-sent-to-speaker-of-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref> On the same day the President's House was stormed, protesters sieged and stormed the [[115 Fifth Lane|private residence of the prime minister]] and burnt it down.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2022 |title=Sri Lankan crisis: Protesters set PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's residence on fire |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/protesters-set-sri-lankan-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-s-residence-on-fire-101657381849320.html |access-date=9 July 2022 |website=Hindustan Times News |language=en}}</ref>

After winning the [[2022 Sri Lankan presidential election]], on 21 July 2022, [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] took oath as the ninth President of Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/ranil-wickremesinghe-takes-oath-as-sri-lankan-president-video-1978092-2022-07-21|title=Ranil Wickremesinghe takes oath as President of Sri Lanka|website=www.indiatoday.in|date=2022-07-21}}</ref> He implemented various economic reforms in efforts to stabilize Sri Lanka's economy.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-cuts-policy-rates-to-reduce-inflation-and-boost-economic-recovery/article66919025.ece | title=Sri Lanka cuts policy rates to reduce inflation and boost economic recovery | newspaper=The Hindu | date=June 2023 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Sri Lanka}}
[[File:Topography Sri Lanka.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A roughly oval island with a mountainous centre|Topographic map of Sri Lanka]]

Sri Lanka, an island in [[South Asia]] shaped as a teardrop or a pear/[[mango]],<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cmNuAAAAMAAJ |title=Sri Lanka, the Resplendent Isle |first=Richard |last=Simon |publisher=Times Editions |year=1989 |page=79 |isbn=9789812040602}}</ref> lies on the [[Indian Plate]], a major [[plate tectonics|tectonic plate]] that was formerly part of the [[Indo-Australian Plate]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Seth Stein |title=The January 26, 2001 Bhuj Earthquake and the Diffuse Western Boundary of the Indian Plate |url=https://www.earth.northwestern.edu/public/emile/PDF/EAO147.pdf |website=earth.northwestern.edu}}</ref> It is in the Indian Ocean southwest of the [[Bay of Bengal]], between latitudes [[5th parallel north|5°]] and [[10th parallel north|10° N]], and longitudes [[79th meridian east|79°]] and [[82nd meridian east|82° E]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jyotisha.00it.com/Lankaco.htm |title=Geographic Coordinates for Sri Lanka Towns and Villages |publisher=jyotisha.00it.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Sri Lanka is separated from the mainland portion of the [[Indian subcontinent]] by the [[Gulf of Mannar]] and [[Palk Strait]]. According to [[Hindu mythology]], a land bridge existed between the Indian mainland and Sri Lanka. It now amounts to only a [[Adam's Bridge|chain of limestone shoals]] remaining above [[sea level]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6996621.stm |title=Gods row minister offers to quit |publisher=BBC |date=15 September 2007}}</ref> Legends claim that it was passable on foot up to 1480 CE, until [[cyclone]]s deepened the channel.<ref name="Garg1992">{{cite book |author=Garg, Ganga Ram |title=Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World |volume=A–Aj |year=1992 |publisher=South Asia Books |place=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-261-3489-2 |page=142 |chapter=Adam's Bridge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jul/04spec.htm |title=Ramar Sethu, a world heritage centre? |work=Rediff.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Portions are still as shallow as {{convert|1|m|ft|sigfig=1}}, hindering navigation.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Adam's Bridge |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Adams-Bridge |access-date=21 December 2015}}</ref> The island consists mostly of flat to rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. The highest point is [[Pidurutalagala]], reaching {{convert|2524|m|ft|0}} above sea level.
[[File:Sri Paada1.JPG|thumb|A view of [[Adam's Peak|Sripada]] from [[Maskeliya]]]]
Sri Lanka has 103 rivers. The longest of these is the [[Mahaweli River]], extending {{convert|335|km|mi|0}}.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Aves, Edward |year=2003 |title=Sri Lanka |publisher=Footprint Travel Guides |page=372 |place=London |isbn=978-1-903471-78-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E_kbgCvVm4UC}}</ref> These waterways give rise to 51 natural waterfalls of {{convert|10|m}} or more. The highest is [[Bambarakanda Falls]], with a height of {{convert|263|m|ft|0}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka |title=Introducing Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Sri Lanka's coastline is {{cvt|1,585|km}} long.<ref name="unep">{{cite web |url=http://www.rrcap.unep.org/pub/soe/srilanka_coastal.pdf |page=86 |title=Depletion of coastal resources |publisher=[[United Nations Environment Programme]] | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331091614/http://www.rrcap.unep.org/pub/soe/srilanka_coastal.pdf |archive-date=31 March 2012 }}</ref> Sri Lanka claims an [[exclusive economic zone]] extending 200 [[nautical mile]]s, which is approximately 6.7 times Sri Lanka's land area. The coastline and adjacent waters support highly productive marine ecosystems such as [[Fringing reef|fringing]] [[coral reef]]s and shallow beds of coastal and [[Estuary|estuarine]] [[seagrass]]es.<ref name="faosl">{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5627E/x5627e09.htm |title=5 Coral Reefs of Sri Lanka: Current Status And Resource Management |publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

Sri Lanka has 45 [[Estuary|estuaries]] and 40 [[lagoon]]s.<ref name="unep" /> Sri Lanka's [[mangrove]] ecosystem spans over 7,000 [[hectare]]s and played a vital role in buffering the force of the waves in the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 Indian Ocean tsunami]].<ref name="iucnas">{{cite web |url=http://www.elanguages.org/files/144094 |title=Information Brief on Mangroves in Sri Lanka |publisher=[[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> The island is rich in minerals such as [[ilmenite]], [[feldspar]], [[graphite]], [[silica]], [[kaolin]], [[mica]] and [[thorium]].<ref name="minr">{{cite web |url=http://www.indexmundi.com/minerals/?country=lk&product=graphite&graph=production |title=Sri Lanka Graphite Production by Year |publisher=indexmundi.com |year=2009 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="thor">{{cite web |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/13747 |title=Availability of sizeable deposits of thorium in Sri Lanka |work=[[Tissa Vitharana]] | year=2008 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224104852/http://www.asiantribune.com/node/13747 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Existence of [[petroleum]] and gas in the Gulf of Mannar has also been confirmed, and the extraction of recoverable quantities is underway.<ref name="prdssl">{{cite web |url=http://www.prds-srilanka.com/pdfs/Sri_Lanka_Seismic_EIA_Final_Report.pdf |pages=iv–vii |title=Three Dimensional Seismic Survey for Oil Exploration in Block SL-2007-01-001 in Gulf of Mannar–Sri Lanka |publisher=Cairn Lanka |year=2009 |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=26 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126072118/http://www.prds-srilanka.com/pdfs/Sri_Lanka_Seismic_EIA_Final_Report.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Climate ===
{{Main|Forestry in Sri Lanka}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map LKA present.svg|thumb|left|Sri Lanka map of Köppen climate classification]]

The climate is [[Tropical climate|tropical]] and warm because of moderating effects of ocean winds. Mean temperatures range from {{convert|17|°C|°F|1}} in the [[Central Highlands of Sri Lanka|central highlands]], where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of {{convert|33|C|F|1|abbr=on}} in low-altitude areas. Average yearly temperatures range from {{convert|28|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} to nearly {{convert|31|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}}. Day and night temperatures may vary by {{convert|14|C|F|1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|18|C|F|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/theland/climate.htm |title=Climate & Seasons: Sri Lanka |publisher=mysrilanka.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

The rainfall pattern is influenced by [[monsoon]] winds from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The "wet zone" and some of the windward slopes of the central highlands receive up to {{convert|2500|mm|in|1}} of rain each year, but the leeward slopes in the east and northeast receive little rain. Most of the east, southeast, and northern parts of Sri Lanka constitute the "dry zone", which receives between {{convert|1200|and|1900|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/theland/rainfall.htm |title=Sri Lanka Rainfall |work=mysrilanka.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

The arid northwest and southeast coasts receive the least rain at {{convert|800|to|1200|mm|in|abbr=on}} per year. Periodic squalls occur and sometimes [[tropical cyclone]]s bring overcast skies and rains to the southwest, northeast, and eastern parts of the island. Humidity is typically higher in the southwest and mountainous areas and depends on the seasonal patterns of rainfall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.climatetemp.info/sri-lanka/ |title=Sri Lanka Climate Guide |publisher=climatetemp.info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625222627/http://www.climatetemp.info/sri-lanka/ |archive-date=25 June 2012}}</ref> An increase in average rainfall coupled with heavier rainfall events has resulted in recurrent flooding and related damages to infrastructure, utility supply and the urban economy.<ref>[http://cdkn.org/resource/integrating-urban-agriculture-and-forestry-into-climate-change-action-plans-lessons-from-sri-lanka/ Integrating urban agriculture and forestry into climate change action plans: Lessons from Sri Lanka], Marielle Dubbeling, the RUAF Foundation, 2014</ref>

=== Flora and fauna ===
{{Main|Environment of Sri Lanka|Wildlife of Sri Lanka}}
{{See also|List of mammals of Sri Lanka|List of birds of Sri Lanka}}
[[File:Elephas maximus maximus - 01.jpg|thumb|The [[Sri Lankan elephant]] is one of three recognised [[subspecies]] of the [[Asian elephant]]. The 2011 elephant census estimated a population of 5,879.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Sri-Lanka-Survey-Finds-More-Elephants-Than-Expected-129086673.html |title=Sri Lanka Survey Finds More Elephants Than Expected |date=2 September 2011 |publisher=[[Voice of America]] | access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129112134/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Sri-Lanka-Survey-Finds-More-Elephants-Than-Expected-129086673.html |archive-date=29 January 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>]]

[[Western Ghats]] of India and Sri Lanka were included among the first 18 global [[biodiversity hotspot]]s due to high levels of species endemism. The number of biodiversity hotspots has now increased to 34.<ref name="Current Science">{{cite journal |last1=Gunawardene |first1=N. R. |last2=Daniels |first2=A. E. D. |last3=Gunatilleke |first3=I. A. U. N. |last4=Gunatilleke |first4=C. V. S. |last5=Karunakaran |first5=P. V. |last6=Nayak |first6=K. |last7=Prasad |first7=S. |last8=Puyravaud |first8=P. |last9=Ramesh |first9=B. R. |last10=Subramanian |first10=K. A |last11=Vasanthy |first11=G. |title=A brief overview of the Western Ghats—Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot |journal=Current Science |date=10 December 2007 |volume=93 |issue=11 |pages=1567–1572 |url=http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity/sahyadri_enews/newsletter/issue53/bibliography/115-a-brief-overview-of-the-western-ghats.PDF |access-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> Sri Lanka has the highest biodiversity per unit area among Asian countries for flowering plants and all vertebrate groups except birds.<ref name="mahindapala">{{cite book |last1=Mahindapala |first1=R. |editor1-last=Carew-Reid |editor1-first=J. |title=Biodiversity Planning in Asia |date=2002 |publisher=IUCN |location=Gland, Switzerland |isbn=2-8317-0643-2 |page=451 |url=http://www.icem.com.au/documents/biodiversity/bioplan/sri_lanka.pdf |chapter=Sri Lanka}}</ref> A remarkably high proportion of the species among its flora and fauna, 27% of the 3,210 flowering plants and 22% of the mammals, are [[Endemism|endemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.mongabay.com/2006/1106-interview_ranil.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723163108/http://news.mongabay.com/2006/1106-interview_ranil.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 July 2014 |title=An interview with Dr. Ranil Senanayake, chairman of Rainforest Rescue International |work=news.mongabay.com |access-date=15 July 2014 }}</ref> Sri Lanka supports a rich avifauna of that stands at 453 species and this include 240 species of birds that are known to breed in the country. [[List of endemic birds of Sri Lanka|33 species]] are accepted by some ornithologists as endemic while some ornithologists consider only 27 are endemic and the remaining six are considered as proposed endemics.<ref name="redlist2012">{{cite book |last1=Weerakoon |first1=D. K. |last2=Gunawardena |first2=K. |editor1-last=Weerakoon |editor1-first=D. K. |editor2-last=Wijesundara |editor2-first=S. |title=The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora |date=2012 |publisher=Ministry of Environment |location=Colombo, Sri Lanka |isbn=978-955-0-03355-3 |page=114 |url=http://www.cea.lk/web/images/pdf/redlist2012.pdf |chapter=The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of Birds in Sri Lanka}}</ref> Sri Lanka's protected areas are administrated by two government bodies; The [[Department of Forest Conservation (Sri Lanka)|Department of Forest Conservation]] and the [[Department of Wildlife Conservation (Sri Lanka)|Department of Wildlife Conservation]]. Department of Wildlife Conservation administrates 61 wildlife sanctuaries, 22 national parks, four nature reserves, three strict nature reserves, and one jungle corridor while Department of Forest Conservation oversees 65 conservation forests and one national heritage wilderness area. 26.5% of the country's land area is legally protected. This is a higher percentage of protected areas when compared to the rest of Asia.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Senevirathna |first1=H.M.M.C. |last2=Perera |first2=P.K.P. |title=Wildlife Viewing Preferences of Visitors to Sri Lanka's National Parks: Implications for Visitor Management and Sustainable Tourism Planning |journal=Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment |year=2013 |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=1–10 |doi=10.31357/JTFE.V3I2.1838 |s2cid=58915438 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Sri Lanka contains four terrestrial ecoregions: [[Sri Lanka lowland rain forests]], [[Sri Lanka montane rain forests]], [[Sri Lanka dry-zone dry evergreen forests]], and [[Deccan thorn scrub forests]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad |display-authors=1 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |year=2017 |pages=534–545 |issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |pmid=28608869 |pmc=5451287 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Flowering [[acacia]]s flourish on the arid [[Jaffna Peninsula]]. Among the trees of the dry-land forests are valuable species such as [[Chloroxylon|satinwood]], [[ebony]], [[Mesua ferrea|ironwood]], [[mahogany]] and [[teak]]. The wet zone is a tropical evergreen forest with tall trees, broad foliage, and a dense undergrowth of vines and creepers. Subtropical evergreen forests resembling those of temperate climates flourish in the higher altitudes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/for_cou_144.PDF |title=Forests, Grasslands, and Drylands – Sri Lanka |page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027053304/http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/for_cou_144.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Rainbirder - Leopard (1).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Sri Lankan leopard]] (''Panthera pardus kotiya'') is an [[endangered species|endangered]] subspecies of [[leopard]] native to Sri Lanka.]]
[[Yala National Park]] in the southeast protects herds of elephant, deer, and peacocks. The [[Wilpattu National Park]] in the northwest, the largest national park, preserves the habitats of many water birds such as storks, pelicans, ibis, and spoonbills. The island has four [[Nature reserve|biosphere reserves]]: [[Bundala National Park|Bundala]], [[Hurulu Forest Reserve]], the [[Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya]], and [[Sinharaja Forest Reserve|Sinharaja]].<ref name="unesco biosphere reserves">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/contact.asp?code=SRL |title=Sri Lanka |date=1 September 2006 |publisher=[[UNESCO]]}}</ref> Sinharaja is home to 26 endemic birds and 20 rainforest species, including the elusive [[red-faced malkoha]], the [[green-billed coucal]] and the [[Sri Lanka blue magpie]]. The untapped genetic potential of Sinharaja flora is enormous. Of the 211 woody trees and lianas within the reserve, 139 (66%) are endemic. The total vegetation density, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and seedlings, has been estimated at 240,000 individuals per hectare. The Minneriya National Park borders the [[Minneriya Tank]], which is an important source of water for elephants inhabiting the surrounding forests. Dubbed "The Gathering", the congregation of elephants can be seen on the tank-bed in the late dry season (August to October) as the surrounding water sources steadily disappear. The park also encompasses a range of micro-habitats which include classic dry zone tropical monsoonal evergreen forest, thick stands of giant bamboo, hilly pastures (patanas), and grasslands (talawas).<ref name="Minneriya">{{cite web |url=http://trabanatours.com/locations/minneriya/ |title=Minneriya National Park |publisher=trabanatours.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-date=16 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516114439/http://trabanatours.com/locations/minneriya/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Rhododendron arboreum zeylanicum flower.jpg|thumb|Maha rath mala (''Rhododendron arboreum'' ssp. ''zeylanicum'') is a rare sub-species of ''[[Rhododendron arboreum]]'' found in [[Central Highlands of Sri Lanka]].]]

During the Mahaweli Program of the 1970s and 1980s in northern Sri Lanka, the government set aside four areas of land totalling {{convert|1900|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} as national parks. Statistics of Sri Lanka's forest cover show rapid deforestation from 1956 to 2010. In 1956, 44.2 percent of the country's land area had forest cover. Forest cover depleted rapidly in recent decades; 29.6 percent in 1999, 28.7 percent in 2010.<ref name="forests">{{cite journal |last1=Ranagalage |first1=M. |last2=Gunarathna |first2=M. H. J. P. |last3=Surasinghe |first3=T. D. |last4=Dissanayake |first4=D. M. S. L. G. |last5=Simwanda |first5=M. |last6=Murayama |first6=Y. |last7=Morimoto |first7=T. |last8=Phiri |first8=D. |last9=Nyirenda |first9=V. R. |last10=Premakantha |first10=K. T. |last11=Sathurusinghe |first11=A. |title=Multi-Decadal Forest-Cover Dynamics in the Tropical Realm: Past Trends and Policy Insights for Forest Conservation in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka |journal=Forests |date=1 August 2020 |volume=11 |issue=8 |pages=836 |doi=10.3390/f11080836 |url=https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/8/836/pdf |doi-access=free}}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
{{expand section|is missing explication of the constitutional socialist nature of the republic that is reflected in the formal name of the country: "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka"|date=July 2022}}
{{Main|Constitution of Sri Lanka}}
[[File:Old Parliament Building, Colombo.JPG|thumb|The [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|old Sri Lankan Parliament building]], near the [[Galle Face Green]] in Colombo. It now serves as the [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]]'s headquarters.]]

Sri Lanka is a [[Democracy|democratic]] [[republic]] and a [[unitary state]] which is governed by a [[semi-presidential system]].<ref name="constnt">{{cite web |title=Chapter 1 – The People, The State and Sovereignty |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_01_Amd.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531083515/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Chapter_01_Amd.html |archive-date=31 May 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |work=The Official Website of the Government of Sri Lanka}}</ref> Sri Lanka is the oldest democracy in Asia.<ref>{{cite book |author=Norton, James H.K. |title=India and South Asia |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] | place=United States |isbn=978-0-07-243298-5 |year=2001}}</ref> Most provisions of the constitution can be amended by a [[Supermajority|two-thirds majority]] in [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|parliament]]. The amendment of [[Entrenched clause|certain basic features]] such as the clauses on language, religion, and reference to Sri Lanka as a unitary state require both a two-thirds majority and approval in a nationwide [[referendum]].

In common with many democracies, the Sri Lankan government has three branches:
* '''Executive''': The [[President of Sri Lanka]] is the [[head of state]]; the [[Commander-in-chief|commander in chief]] of the armed forces; [[Chief executive (gubernatorial)|chief executive]], and is popularly elected for a five-year term.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Executive Presidency |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/execpres/Indexep.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921054039/http://www.priu.gov.lk/execpres/Indexep.html |archive-date=21 September 2014 |access-date=15 July 2014 |work=The Official Website of the Government of Sri Lanka}}</ref> The president heads the [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]] and appoints [[minister (government)|ministers]] from elected [[Member of parliament|members of parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |date=20 November 2003 |title=The Constitution of Sri Lanka – Contents |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/CONTENTS.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118180853/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/CONTENTS.html |archive-date=18 November 2014 |work=The Official Website of the Government of Sri Lanka}}</ref> The president is immune from legal proceedings while in the office with respect to any acts done or omitted to be done by him or her in either an official or private capacity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential Immunity |url=http://www.constitution.lk/static_pages/view/26 |publisher=constitution.lk}}{{dead link|date=July 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Following the passage of the [[Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka|19th amendment to the constitution]] in 2015, the president has two terms, which previously stood at no term limit.
* '''Legislative''': The [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]] is a [[Unicameralism|unicameral]] 225-member legislature with 196 members elected from 22 multi-seat constituencies and 29 elected by [[proportional representation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Evolution of the Parliamentary System |url=http://www.parliament.lk/about_us/evolution.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616221401/http://www.parliament.lk/about_us/evolution.jsp |archive-date=16 June 2010 |publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]}}</ref> Members are elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. The president may summon, suspend, or end a legislative session and dissolve Parliament at any time after four and a half years. The parliament reserves the power to make all laws.<ref name="parliam">{{cite web |title=The Legislative Power of Parliament |url=http://www.parliament.lk/functions/legislative_power.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616221100/http://www.parliament.lk/functions/legislative_power.jsp |archive-date=16 June 2010 |publisher=[[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]}}</ref> The president's deputy and [[head of government]], the [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|prime minister]], leads the [[ruling party]] in parliament and shares many executive responsibilities, mainly in domestic affairs.
[[File:Supreme Court Colombo.jpg|thumb|The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Colombo]]
* '''Judicial''': Sri Lanka's judiciary consists of a [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka|Supreme Court]] – the highest and final superior court of record,<ref name="parliam" /> a Court of Appeal, High Courts and a number of subordinate courts. The highly complex legal system reflects diverse cultural influences.<ref name="unpanh">{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka public administration |url=http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023242.pdf |access-date=15 July 2014 |publisher=[[United Nations Public Administration Network]] |page=2 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102055202/http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan023242.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Criminal law is based almost entirely on [[English law|British law]]. Basic civil law derives from [[Roman-Dutch law]]. Laws pertaining to marriage, divorce, and inheritance are [[Common law|communal]].<ref name="lawsd">{{cite web |title=Background Note: Sri Lanka |newspaper=U.S. Department of State |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5249.htm |access-date=15 July 2014 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]]}}</ref> Because of ancient customary practices and religion, the Sinhala customary law (Kandyan law), the [[Thesavalamai]], and [[Sharia]] law are followed in special cases.<ref name="custmryl">{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka Society & Culture: Customs, Rituals & Traditions |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/rit.html |access-date=15 July 2014 |publisher=lankalibrary.com}}</ref> The president appoints judges to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Courts. A judicial service commission, composed of the [[Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|chief justice]] and two Supreme Court judges, appoints, transfers, and dismisses lower court judges.

=== Politics ===
{{Main|Politics of Sri Lanka|Elections in Sri Lanka}}
{{Sri Lankan symbols}}

The current political culture in Sri Lanka is a contest between two rival coalitions led by the [[Centre-left politics|centre-left]] and [[Progressivism|progressive]] [[United People's Freedom Alliance]] (UPFA), an offspring of [[Sri Lanka Freedom Party]] (SLFP), and the comparatively [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] and pro-[[Capitalism|capitalist]] [[United National Party]] (UNP).<ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|p=95}}</ref> Sri Lanka is essentially a multi-party democracy with many smaller Buddhist, socialist, and Tamil nationalist political parties. As of July 2011, the number of registered political parties in the country is 67.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919123154/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 September 2011 |title=Political Parties in Sri Lanka |publisher=Department of Election, Sri Lanka |date=July 2011 |access-date=23 August 2011 }}</ref> Of these, the [[Lanka Sama Samaja Party]] (LSSP), established in 1935, is the oldest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/12/18/fea01.asp |title=Sri Lanka's oldest political party |work=Daily News |date=18 December 2010}}</ref>

The UNP, established by D. S. Senanayake in 1946, was until recently the largest single political party.<ref name="unpl">{{cite web |url=http://www.unplanka.com/ |title=UNP: The Story of the Major Tradition |publisher=unplanka.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518080126/http://unplanka.com/ |archive-date=18 May 2014}}</ref> It is the only political group which had representation in all parliaments since independence.<ref name="unpl" /> SLFP was founded by [[S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike]] in July 1951.<ref name="slfps">{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/11/16/fea03.asp |title=Charting a new course for Sri Lanka's success |work=Daily News |date=16 November 2009}}</ref> SLFP registered its first victory in 1956, defeating the ruling UNP in the [[1956 Ceylonese parliamentary election|1956 Parliamentary election]].<ref name="slfps" /> Following the parliamentary election in [[July 1960 Ceylonese parliamentary election|July 1960]], [[Sirimavo Bandaranaike]] became the prime minister and the world's first elected [[List of elected and appointed female heads of state and government|female head of government]].<ref name="bbcsirimavo">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/20/newsid_2784000/2784527.stm |title=Ceylon chooses world's first woman PM |publisher=BBC |date=20 July 1960}}</ref>

[[G. G. Ponnambalam]], the [[Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism|Tamil nationalist]] counterpart of S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike,<ref name="socs">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m4Y9AAAAYAAJ |author=Society of Jesus in India |title=New review, Volume 23 |publisher=Macmillan and co. ltd. |place=India | page=78 |year=1946}}</ref> founded the [[All Ceylon Tamil Congress]] (ACTC) in 1944. Objecting to Ponnambalam's cooperation with D. S. Senanayake, a dissident group led by [[S. J. V. Chelvanayakam|S.J.V. Chelvanayakam]] broke away in 1949 and formed the [[Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi]] (ITAK), also known as the Federal Party, becoming the main Tamil political party in Sri Lanka for next two decades.<ref name="poltitak">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MLqmdDp3l0oC |first1=Lakshman|last1=W. D.|author-link2=Clem Tisdell|last2=Tisdell|first2=Clem| title=Sri Lanka's development since independence: socio-economic perspectives and analyses |publisher=[[Nova Publishers]] | place=[[New York City|New York]] | page=80 |isbn=978-1-56072-784-2 |year=2000}}</ref> The Federal Party advocated a more aggressive stance toward the Sinhalese.<ref name="postcolhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/postcolonial_history.htm |title=Sri Lanka: Post Colonial History |publisher=Lanka Library |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> With the constitutional reforms of 1972, the ACTC and ITAK created the Tamil United Front (later [[Tamil United Liberation Front]]). Following a period of turbulence as Tamil militants rose to power in the late 1970s, these Tamil political parties were succeeded in October 2001 by the [[Tamil National Alliance]].<ref name="postcolhist" /><ref name="tnas">{{cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/02/24/sri-lanka-tamil-national-alliance-denies-having-talks-buddhist-prelates |title=Sri Lanka Tamil National Alliance denies having talks with Buddhist prelates |newspaper=[[Asian Tribune]] | date=24 February 2011}}</ref> [[Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna]], a [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] political party founded by [[Rohana Wijeweera]] in 1965, serves as a third force in the current political context.<ref name="jvpnew">{{cite web |url=http://socialsciences-ejournal.org/SP%2012.%20Shathasiri.pdf |page=139 |title=Revolutionary Idealism and Parliamentary Politics |publisher=Asia-Pacific Journal of Social Sciences |date=December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920090225/http://socialsciences-ejournal.org/SP%2012.%20Shathasiri.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> It endorses leftist policies which are more radical than the traditionalist leftist politics of the LSSP and the [[Communist Party of Sri Lanka|Communist Party]].<ref name="postcolhist" /> Founded in 1981, the [[Sri Lanka Muslim Congress]] is the largest Muslim political party in Sri Lanka.<ref name="muslcon">{{cite web |url=http://www.sangam.org/2011/02/SL_Muslims.php?uid=4258 |title=Sri Lankan Muslims: Between ethno-nationalism and the global ummah |work=Dennis B. McGilvray|publisher=[[Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism]] | date=January 2011 }}</ref>

President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] lost the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|2015 presidential elections]], ending his ten-year presidency. However, his successor as Sri Lankan President, [[Maithripala Sirisena]], decided not to seek re-election in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sri Lanka President Sirisena abandons re-election bid |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-abandons-re-election-bid |work=The Straits Times |date=6 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The Rajapaksa family regained power in November [[2019 Sri Lankan presidential election|2019 presidential elections]] when Mahinda's younger brother and former wartime defence chief [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] won the election, and he was later sworn in as the new president of Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2020/03/05/sri-lankas-ruling-party-calls-an-election-hoping-for-a-landslide |title=Sri Lanka's ruling party calls an election, hoping for a landslide |date=5 March 2020 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/17/world/asia/sri-lanka-Gotabaya-Rajapaksa-election.html |title=Gotabaya Rajapaksa Wins Sri Lanka Presidential Election |first1=Dharisha |last1=Bastians |first2=Kai |last2=Schultz |date=17 November 2019 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Their firm grip of power was consolidated in the [[2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|parliamentary elections]] in August 2020. The family's political party, [[Sri Lanka People's Front]] (known by its Sinhala initials SLPP), obtained a landslide victory and a clear majority in the parliament. Five members of the Rajapaksa family won seats in the new parliament. Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa became the new prime minister.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/8/9/mahinda-rajapaksa-sworn-in-as-sri-lankas-pm-after-record-victory |title=Mahinda Rajapaksa sworn in as Sri Lanka's PM |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

In 2022, a [[2022 Sri Lankan political crisis|political crisis]] started due to the power struggle between [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] and the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]]. The crisis was fuelled by [[2022 Sri Lankan protests|anti-government protests and demonstrations by the public]] and also due to the worsening [[economy of Sri Lanka]] since 2019. The anti-government sentiment across various parts of Sri Lanka has triggered unprecedented political instability, creating shockwaves in the political arena.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajapaksa Clan Losing Grip on Power in Sri Lanka |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/04/rajapaksa-clan-losing-grip-on-power-in-sri-lanka/ |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On July 20, 2022, [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] was elected as the ninth President via a [[2022 Sri Lankan presidential election|parliamentarian election]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jayasinghe |first1=Uditha |last2=Pal |first2=Alasdair |last3=Ghoshal |first3=Devjyot |title=Sri Lanka gets new president in six-time PM Wickremesinghe |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/sri-lanka-could-tip-back-chaos-if-six-time-pm-voted-president-2022-07-20/ |work=Reuters |date=21 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Administrative divisions ==
{{Main|Administrative divisions of Sri Lanka}}

For administrative purposes, Sri Lanka is divided into nine [[Provinces of Sri Lanka|provinces]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Schedle_8_Amd.html |title=The Constitution of Sri Lanka – Eighth Schedule |publisher=Priu.gov.lk |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016025856/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Schedle_8_Amd.html |archive-date=16 October 2014 }}</ref> and twenty-five [[Districts of Sri Lanka|districts]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Schedle_1_Amd.html |title=The Constitution of Sri Lanka – First Schedule |publisher=Priu.gov.lk |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016025819/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/1978Constitution/Schedle_1_Amd.html |archive-date=16 October 2014 }}</ref>

=== Provinces ===
Provinces in Sri Lanka have existed since the 19th century, but they had no legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment of the 1978 constitution established provincial councils after several decades of increasing demand for a [[Devolution|decentralisation]] of the government.<ref name="official">{{cite web |url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/ProvCouncils/ProvicialCouncils.html |title=Provincial Councils |work=The Official Website of the Government of Sri Lanka |date=3 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707214924/http://www.priu.gov.lk/ProvCouncils/ProvicialCouncils.html |archive-date=7 July 2009 }}</ref> Each provincial council is an autonomous body not under the authority of any ministry. Some of its functions had been undertaken by central government ministries, departments, corporations, and statutory authorities,<ref name="official" /> but authority over land and police is not as a rule given to provincial councils.<ref name="landpolc">{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/lanka-heads-for-collision-course-with-india/802524/ |title=Lanka heads for collision course with India: Report |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=12 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="landpolc2">{{cite web |url=http://www.peace-srilanka.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=296:accepting-reality-and-building-trust&catid=1:latest&Itemid=121 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006012934/http://www.peace-srilanka.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=296%3Aaccepting-reality-and-building-trust&catid=1%3Alatest&Itemid=121 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 October 2010 |title=Accepting reality and building trust |work=Jehan Perera |publisher=peace-srilanka.org |date=14 September 2010 }}</ref> Between 1989 and 2006, the Northern and Eastern provinces were temporarily merged to form the [[North Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|North-East Province]].<ref name="lnpx">{{cite web |url=http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/10/8947.html |title=North-East merger illegal: SC |publisher=LankaNewspapers.com |date=17 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524142033/http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/10/8947.html |archive-date=24 May 2009 }}</ref><ref name="norteastn">{{cite web |url=http://southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cnotes4%5Cnote344.html |title=North East De-merger-At What Cost? Update No. 107 |work=Hariharan, R. |publisher=southasiaanalysis.org |date=19 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613022544/http://southasiaanalysis.org/notes4/note344.html |archive-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> Prior to 1987, all administrative tasks for the provinces were handled by a district-based civil service which had been in place since colonial times. Now each province is administered by a directly elected provincial council:

{{Sri Lankan Provinces and districts|float=left}}
{| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2px"
|
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:85%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! style="width:160px;"| [[Provinces of Sri Lanka|Province]] !! style="width:85px;" | Capital !! style="width:75px;" | Area (km2) !! style="width:70px;" | Population (2012)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/pophousat/cph2011/pages/activities/Reports/SriLanka.pdf |title=Census of Population and Housing Sri Lanka 2012 |year=2012 |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics |access-date=26 March 2021 |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119041206/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/pophousat/cph2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/SriLanka.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> !! style="width:100px;" | Density (Persons per km2) !! style="width:100px;" | Provincial GDP share (%) (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Provincial Gross Domestic Product (PGDP) - 2021 |url=https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/press/pr/press_pgdp_2021_e.pdf |website=cbsl.gov.lk |publisher=Central Bank of Sri Lanka |access-date=2 April 2023 |date=2022}}</ref> !! style="width:100px;" | Sri Lanka Prosperity Index (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka Prosperity Index - 2021 |url=https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/press/pr/press_20221230_sri_lanka_prosperity_index_2021_e.pdf |website=cbsl.gov.lk |publisher=Central Bank of Sri Lanka |access-date=26 September 2023 |date=2022}}</ref>
|-
| [[Central Province, Sri Lanka|Central]] || [[Kandy]] || style="text-align:right"|5,674 || style="text-align:right"|2,571,557 || style="text-align:right"| 453 || style="text-align:right"|10.1 || style="text-align:right"|0.559
|-
| [[Eastern Province, Sri Lanka|Eastern]] || [[Trincomalee]] || style="text-align:right"|9,996 || style="text-align:right"|1,555,510 || style="text-align:right"| 155 || style="text-align:right"|5.5 || style="text-align:right"|0.519
|-
| [[North Central Province, Sri Lanka|North Central]] || [[Anuradhapura]] || style="text-align:right"|10,714 || style="text-align:right"|1,266,663 || style="text-align:right"| 118 || style="text-align:right"|4.9 || style="text-align:right"|0.521
|-
| [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern]] || [[Jaffna]] || style="text-align:right"|8,884 || style="text-align:right"|1,061,315 || style="text-align:right"| 119 || style="text-align:right"|4.2 || style="text-align:right"|0.564
|-
| [[North Western Province, Sri Lanka|North Western]] || [[Kurunegala]] || style="text-align:right"|7,812 || style="text-align:right"|2,380,861 || style="text-align:right"| 305 || style="text-align:right"|11.1 || style="text-align:right"|0.541
|-
| [[Sabaragamuwa Province|Sabaragamuwa]] || [[Ratnapura]] || style="text-align:right"|4,902 || style="text-align:right"|1,928,655 || style="text-align:right"| 393 || style="text-align:right"|7.3 || style="text-align:right"|0.499
|-
| [[Southern Province, Sri Lanka|Southern]] || [[Galle]] || style="text-align:right"|5,559 || style="text-align:right"|2,477,285 || style="text-align:right"| 446 || style="text-align:right"|9.1 || style="text-align:right"|0.582
|-
| [[Uva Province|Uva]] || [[Badulla]] || style="text-align:right"|8,488 || style="text-align:right"|1,266,463 || style="text-align:right"| 149 || style="text-align:right"|5.2 || style="text-align:right"|0.468
|-
| [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western]] || [[Colombo]] || style="text-align:right"|3,709 || style="text-align:right"|5,851,130 || style="text-align:right"| 1,578 || style="text-align:right"|42.6 || style="text-align:right"|0.802
|-
| Sri Lanka || [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]] and [[Colombo]] || style="text-align:right"|65,610 || style="text-align:right"|20,359,439 || style="text-align:right"| 310 || style="text-align:right"|100 || style="text-align:right"|0.796
|}
|}
{{clear}}

=== Districts and local authorities ===
Each district is administered under a [[Government Agent (Sri Lanka)|district secretariat]]. The districts are further subdivided into 256 [[Divisional Secretariats of Sri Lanka|divisional secretariats]], and these to approximately 14,008 [[Grama Niladhari]] divisions.<ref name="tstasgov">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/GNcode/introduction.pdf |page=3 |title=List of Codes for the Administrative Divisions of Sri Lanka 2001 |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519151751/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/GNcode/introduction.pdf |archive-date=19 May 2011}}</ref> The districts are known in Sinhala as ''disa'' and in Tamil as ''māwaddam''. Originally, a ''disa'' (usually rendered into English as Dissavony) was a [[duchy]], notably Matale and Uva.

There are three other types of local authorities: municipal councils (18), urban councils (13) and pradeshiya sabha, also called pradesha sabhai (256).<ref>{{Cite book |author=Commonwealth Secretariat |year=2004 |title=Commonwealth Local Government Handbook |place=London |isbn=978-0-9542917-9-2 |page=146 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WNM1oHe3eTIC |author-link=Commonwealth Secretariat}}</ref> Local authorities were originally based on feudal counties named ''korale'' and ''rata'', and were formerly known as "D.R.O. divisions" after the divisional revenue officer.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Dilesh Jayanntha |year=2006 |title=Electoral Allegiance in Sri Lanka |place=London |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | isbn=978-0-521-02975-9 |pages=82–85 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nkr3ra6gR2YC}}</ref> Later, the D.R.O.s became "assistant government agents," and the divisions were known as "A.G.A. divisions". These divisional secretariats are currently administered by a divisional secretary.

== Foreign relations ==
{{Main|Foreign relations of Sri Lanka}}{{See also|Sri Lanka and the Non-Aligned Movement}}
[[File:Jayewardene presents elephant to Reagan.jpg|thumb|President [[J. R. Jayewardene]] gifting [[Jayathu]], a baby elephant to US President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984]]

Sri Lanka is a founding member of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] (NAM). While ensuring that it maintains its independence, Sri Lanka has cultivated [[India–Sri Lanka relations|relations with India]].<ref name="relatns">{{Cite news |title=Foreign Relations |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/74.htm |work=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Sri Lanka became a member of the [[United Nations]] in 1955. Today, it is also a member of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|SAARC]], the [[World Bank]], the [[International Monetary Fund]], the [[Asian Development Bank]], and the [[Colombo Plan]].

The United National Party has traditionally favoured links with the West, while the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has favoured links with the East.<ref name="relatns" /> Sri Lankan Finance Minister J. R. Jayewardene, together with then Australian Foreign Minister Sir Percy Spencer, proposed the Colombo Plan at the Commonwealth Foreign Minister's Conference held in Colombo in 1950.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Colombo Plan at 57 |url=http://www.colombo-plan.org/viewPressContent.php?id=93&page=4 |work=[[Colombo Plan]] | author=Jayasekera, Upali S. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113150629/http://www.colombo-plan.org/viewPressContent.php?id=93&page=4 |archive-date=13 January 2012}}</ref> At the [[Treaty of San Francisco|San Francisco Peace Conference]] in 1951, while many countries were reluctant, Sri Lanka argued for a free [[Japan]] and refused to accept payment of reparations for [[World War II]] damage because it believed it would harm Japan's economy.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sri Lanka excels at the San Francisco Peace Conference |url=http://pdfs.island.lk/2009/09/07/p12.pdf |work=The Island |date=7 September 2009 |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111157/http://pdfs.island.lk/2009/09/07/p12.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sri Lanka-China relations started as soon as the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949. The two countries signed an important Rice-Rubber Pact in 1952.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lanka-China bilateral ties at its zenith |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/10/03/fea02.asp |work=The Sunday Observer |date=3 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082628/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/10/03/fea02.asp |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> Sri Lanka played a vital role at the [[Asian–African Conference]] in 1955, which was an important step in the crystallisation of the NAM.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bandung Conference of 1955 and the resurgence of Asia and Africa |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2005/04/21/fea01.htm |work=The Daily News |date=21 April 2005}}</ref>

The Bandaranaike government of 1956 significantly changed the pro-western policies set by the previous UNP government. It recognised Cuba under [[Fidel Castro]] in 1959. Shortly afterward, Cuba's revolutionary [[Che Guevara]] paid a visit to Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lanka-Cuba relations should be strengthened |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2004/01/14/new24.html |work=The Daily News |date=14 January 2004}}</ref> The [[Sirima–Shastri Pact|Sirima-Shastri Pact]] of 1964<ref>{{Cite news |title=29 October 1964 |url=http://pact.lk/29-october-1964/ |work=Pact.lk |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112857/http://pact.lk/29-october-1964/ |archive-date=28 January 2015 }}</ref> and [[Sirima–Gandhi Pact|Sirima-Gandhi Pact]] of 1974<ref>{{Cite news |title=Statelessness abolished? |url=http://www.cope.nu/show.asp?NewsID=170&DocType=News |work=cope.nu |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813065808/http://www.cope.nu/show.asp?NewsID=170&DocType=News |archive-date=13 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> were signed between Sri Lankan and Indian leaders in an attempt to solve the [[Ceylon Citizenship Act|long-standing dispute]] over the status of [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|plantation workers of Indian origin]]. In 1974, [[Katchatheevu|Kachchatheevu]], a small island in [[Palk Strait]], was formally ceded to Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news |title=India-Sri Lanka: 1921 Conference On Fisheries And Ceding Of Kachchatheevu – Analysis |url=http://www.albanytribune.com/22082011-india-sri-lanka-1921-conference-on-fisheries-and-ceding-of-kachchatheevu-%E2%80%93-analysis/ |work=Albany Tribune |date=22 August 2011 |author=Suryanarayan, V. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402073824/http://www.albanytribune.com/22082011-india-sri-lanka-1921-conference-on-fisheries-and-ceding-of-kachchatheevu-%E2%80%93-analysis/ |archive-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> By this time, Sri Lanka was strongly involved in the NAM, and the [[5th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement|fifth NAM summit]] was held in Colombo in 1976.<ref>{{Cite news |title=NAM Golden Jubilee this year |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/07/10/fea02.asp |work=The Sunday Observer |date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095243/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/07/10/fea02.asp |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> The relationship between Sri Lanka and India became tense under the government of [[Junius Richard Jayewardene|J. R. Jayawardene]].<ref name="atimes" /><ref name="indnrel">{{Cite journal |doi=10.1080/09700160008455216 |title=Indo‐Sri Lankan security perceptions: Divergences and convergences |journal=Strategic Analysis |volume=24 |issue=2 |page=343 |year=2000 |last1=Murthy |first1=P. |s2cid=154512767}}</ref> As a result, [[Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War|India intervened in the Sri Lankan Civil War]] and subsequently deployed an [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]] in 1987.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9B0DE0D8173FF936A35755C0A961948260&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIndia |title=India airlifts aid to Tamil rebels |newspaper=The New York Times |date=5 June 1987 |author=Weisman, Steven R.}}</ref> In the present, Sri Lanka enjoys extensive relations with China,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL31707.pdf |page=6 |title=Sri Lanka: Background and U.S. Relations |publisher=[[Federation of American Scientists]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Russia,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/02/09/russia-and-sri-lanka-strengthen-bilateral-relations |title=Russia and Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral relations |newspaper=[[Asian Tribune]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> and Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/02/04/world-leaders-send-warm-greeting-sri-lanka-independence-day |title=World leaders send warm greeting to Sri Lanka on Independence Day |newspaper=[[Asian Tribune]] | access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

== Military ==
The [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]], comprising the [[Sri Lanka Army]], the [[Sri Lanka Navy]], and the [[Sri Lanka Air Force]], come under the purview of the [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sri-lanka/ |title=CIA World Factbook: Sr Lanka |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] | date=16 August 2011}}</ref> The total strength of the three services is around 346,000 personnel, with nearly 36,000 reserves.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2010 |pages=370–371 |author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |editor=Hackett, James |date=3 February 2010 |publisher=[[Routledge]] | place=London |isbn=978-1-85743-557-3 |ref=IISS2010}}</ref> Sri Lanka has not enforced [[Conscription|military conscription]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/mil_con-military-conscription |title=Conscription (most recent) by country |publisher=NationMaster}}</ref> Paramilitary units include the [[Special Task Force (Sri Lanka)|Special Task Force]], the [[Sri Lanka Civil Security Force|Civil Security Force]], and the [[Sri Lanka Coast Guard]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/sri-lanka-coast-guard-sets-up-bases/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194800/http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/sri-lanka-coast-guard-sets-up-bases/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 March 2016 |title=Sri Lanka coast guard sets up bases |publisher=Lanka Business Online |date=10 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090710_04 |title=Coast Guard bill passed in Parliament |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence]] | date=7 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213156/http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090710_04 |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>

Since independence in 1948, the primary focus of the armed forces has been internal security, crushing three major insurgencies, two by [[Marxism|Marxist]] militants of the [[Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna|JVP]] and a 26-year-long conflict with the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|LTTE]]. The armed forces have been in a continuous mobilised state for the last 30 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8063409.stm |title=How Sri Lanka's military won |work=BBC News |date=22 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Doucet |first=Lyse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20308610 |title=UN 'failed Sri Lanka civilians', says internal probe |work=BBC News |date=13 November 2012 |access-date=10 September 2013}}</ref> The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have engaged in [[United Nations]] [[peacekeeping]] operations since the early 1960s, contributing forces to permanent contingents deployed in several UN peacekeeping missions in [[United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad|Chad]], [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|Lebanon]], and [[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti|Haiti]].<ref name="unmissions09">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/contributors/2012/March12_3.pdf |title=UN Mission's Summary detailed by Country – March 2012 |page=33 |publisher=[[United Nations]] | date=April 2012}}</ref>

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Sri Lanka}}
{{See also|Agriculture in Sri Lanka|Tea production in Sri Lanka|Tourism in Sri Lanka|Transport in Sri Lanka}}
[[File:GDP per capita development of Sri Lanka.svg|thumb|Development of real GDP per capita, 1820 to 2018]]
[[File:Sri Lanka Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Sri Lanka exports, 2019]]

According to the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] in terms of [[purchasing power parity]] is the second highest in the South Asian region in terms of [[per capita income]]. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Sri Lanka became a [[plantation economy]] famous for its production and export of [[cinnamon]], [[rubber]], and [[Tea production in Sri Lanka|Ceylon tea]], which remains a trademark national export.<ref name="plnyn">{{cite web |url=http://www.historyofceylontea.com/articles/tea_feat_echoes_plantation_economy.html |title=Echoes of a Plantation Economy |publisher=historyofceylontea.com |author=Fernando, Maxwell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117155721/http://www.historyofceylontea.com/articles/tea_feat_echoes_plantation_economy.html |archive-date=17 January 2012}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Ports and Aviation (Sri Lanka)|development of modern ports]] under British rule raised the strategic importance of the island as a centre of trade.<ref name="startim">{{cite web |url=http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/articles/53/The-Strategic-Importance-of-Sri-Lanka-to-Australia |title=The Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka to Australia |publisher=asiapacificdefencereporter.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807181932/http://www.asiapacificdefencereporter.com/articles/53/The-Strategic-Importance-of-Sri-Lanka-to-Australia |archive-date=7 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 1948 to 1977, socialism strongly influenced the government's economic policies. Colonial plantations were dismantled, industries were nationalised, and a [[welfare state]] established. In 1977, the [[free market]] economy was introduced to the country, incorporating privatisation, deregulation, and the promotion of private enterprise.<ref name="filbrn">{{cite web |url=http://www.fulbrightsrilanka.com/?page_id=561 |title=Sri Lanka – an Overview |publisher=[[Fulbright Program|Fulbright commission]]}}</ref>

[[File:LK-Colombo-altes-parlament.jpg|thumb|The [[World Trade Center Colombo|World Trade Center]] in Colombo. [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]], Bank of Ceylon and Galadari Hotel are also visible in the image.]]

While the production and export of tea, rubber, coffee, sugar, and other commodities remain important, industrialisation has increased the importance of food processing, textiles, telecommunications, and finance. The country's main economic sectors are tourism, tea export, clothing, rice production, and other agricultural products. In addition to these economic sectors, overseas employment, especially in the Middle East, contributes substantially in foreign exchange.<ref name="treasry">{{cite web |url=https://www.treasury.gov.lk/api/file/2a7fd7a7-2ce2-4b4a-afc3-6e61ff0c993c |title=Annual Report 2010 |publisher=Ministry of Finance – Sri Lanka |year=2011 |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

{{As of|2020}}, the service sector makes up 59.7% of GDP, the industrial sector 26.2%, and the agriculture sector 8.4%.<ref name="Annual Report 2020">{{cite web |title=Annual Report 2020 |url=https://www.treasury.gov.lk/api/file/0b7d1935-6235-4156-97b6-752d6a8039d0 |website=treasury.gov.lk |publisher=[[Ministry of Finance (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Finance]] |access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref> The private sector accounts for 85% of the economy.<ref name="adbrep">{{cite web |url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/SRI/2008/CPS-SRI-2009-2011.pdf |page=1 |title=Country Partnership Strategy |publisher=[[Asian Development Bank]] | year=2008 |access-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115144722/http://www2.adb.org/Documents/CPSs/SRI/2008/CPS-SRI-2009-2011.pdf |archive-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> China, India and the United States are Sri Lanka's largest trading partners.<ref name="Sri Lanka's Trading Partners">{{cite web |url=https://www.lki.lk/blog/who-are-sri-lankas-top-trading-partners/ |title=Sri Lanka's Top Trading Partners |publisher=Lakshman Kadiragamar Institute |year=2018 |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref> Economic disparities exist between the provinces with the Western Province contributing 45.1% of the GDP and the Southern Province and the Central Province contributing 10.7% and 10%, respectively.<ref name="ecdisp">{{cite news |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/110717/BusinessTimes/bt24.html |title=Western Province share of national GDP falling: CB |newspaper=Sunday Times |date=17 July 2011}}</ref> With the end of the war, the Northern Province reported a record 22.9% GDP growth in 2010.<ref name="northpr">{{cite news |url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2011/07/18/sri-lanka%E2%80%99s-northern-province-has-recorded-highest-gdp-growth-rate-229-cent-last-yea |title=Sri Lanka's Northern province has recorded the highest GDP growth rate of 22.9 per cent last year |newspaper=[[Asian Tribune]] | date=18 July 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Sri Lanka 030.jpg|thumb|Sri Lanka's most widely known export, [[Ceylon tea]], which [[ISO]] considers the cleanest tea in the world in terms of pesticide residues. Sri Lanka is also the world's 2nd largest exporter of tea.<ref name="clnst">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldteanews.com/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=98 |title=Sri Lanka Tea Board |publisher=worldteanews.com |access-date=7 September 2011 }}{{dead link|date=July 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>]]
The per capita income of Sri Lanka doubled from 2005 to 2011.<ref name="toplsl">{{cite web |url=http://www.tops.lk/article35231-parliament-per-capita-income-has-doubled.html |title=Per capita income has doubled |publisher=tops.lk |year=2011 |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320123833/http://www.tops.lk/article35231-parliament-per-capita-income-has-doubled.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> During the same period, poverty dropped from 15.2% to 7.6%, unemployment rate dropped from 7.2% to 4.9%, [[market capitalisation]] of the [[Colombo Stock Exchange]] quadrupled, and the [[Government budget deficit|budget deficit]] doubled.<ref name="treasry" /> 99% of the households in Sri Lanka are electrified; 93.2% of the population have access to safe drinking water; and 53.1% have access to pipe-borne water.<ref name="Annual Report 2020" /> Income inequality has also dropped in recent years, indicated by a [[Gini coefficient]] of 0.36 in 2010.<ref name="statgovineq">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/poverty/PovertyIndicators2009_10.pdf |page=3 |title=Inequality drops with poverty |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>

The 2011 [[Global Competitiveness Report]], published by the [[World Economic Forum]], described Sri Lanka's economy as transitioning from the factor-driven stage to the efficiency-driven stage and that it ranked 52nd in global competitiveness.<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GCR_Report_2011-12.pdf |pages=326–327 |author=Schwab, Klaus |year=2011 |title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2011–2012 |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> Also, out of the 142 countries surveyed, Sri Lanka ranked 45th in health and primary education, 32nd in business sophistication, 42nd in innovation, and 41st in goods market efficiency. In 2016, Sri Lanka ranked 5th in the [[World Giving Index]], registering high levels of contentment and charitable behaviour in its society.<ref>{{cite web |title=CAF world giving index 2016 |url=https://www.cafonline.org/docs/default-source/about-us-publications/1950a_wgi_2016_report_web_v2_241016.pdf?sfvrsn=4 |website=cafonline.org |publisher=Charities aid foundation |access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[The New York Times]]'' placed Sri Lanka at the top of its list of 31 places to visit.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html |title=The 31 Places to Go in 2010 |work=The New York Times |date=24 January 2010}}</ref> [[S&P Dow Jones Indices]] classifies Sri Lanka as a [[Frontier markets|frontier market]] as of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indexologyblog.com/2018/04/26/a-closer-look-at-indices-country-classifications/ |title=A Closer Look at Indices Country Classifications – Indexology® Blog | S&P Dow Jones Indices}}</ref> [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Sri Lanka ranks]] well above other South Asian countries in the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI) with an index of 0.750.

By 2016, the country's debt soared as it was developing its infrastructure to the point of near bankruptcy which required a bailout from the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/02/why-sri-lankas-economic-outlook-is-looking-less-rosy.html |title=Why Sri Lanka's economic outlook is looking less rosy |last=Shaffer |first=Leslie |date=2 May 2016 |publisher=CNBC |access-date=14 January 2017 |quote=While the government is aiming to raise its low revenue collection, partly through an increase in the value-added tax rate ... the country has a spotty record on tax collection.}}</ref> The IMF had agreed to provide a US$1.5 billion bailout loan in April 2016 after Sri Lanka provided a set of criteria intended to improve its economy. By the fourth quarter of 2016, the debt was estimated to be $64.9 billion. Additional debt had been incurred in the past by state-owned organisations and this was said to be at least $9.5 billion. Since early 2015, domestic debt increased by 12% and external debt by 25%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2016/09/30/sri-lankas-debt-crisis-is-so-bad-the-government-doesnt-even-know-how-much-money-it-owes/ |title=Sri Lanka's Debt Crisis Is So Bad The Government Doesn't Even Know How Much Money It Owes |last=Shepard |first=Wade |date=30 September 2016 |work=[[Forbes]] | access-date=14 January 2017 |quote="We still don't know the exact total debt number," Sri Lanka's prime minister admitted to parliament earlier this month.}}</ref> In November 2016, the IMF reported that the initial disbursement was larger than US$150 million originally planned, a full US$162.6 million (SDR 119.894 million). The agency's evaluation for the first tranche was cautiously optimistic about the future. Under the program, the Sri Lankan government implemented a new Inland Revenue Act and an automatic fuel pricing formula which was noted by the IMF in its fourth review. In 2018 China agreed to bail out Sri Lanka with a loan of $1.25 billion to deal with foreign debt repayment spikes in 2019 to 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2016/11/18/PR16515-Sri-Lanka-IMF-Completes-First-Review-of-the-Extended-Arrangement-Under-the-EFF |title=IMF Completes First Review of the Extended Arrangement Under the EFF with Sri Lanka and Approves US$162.6 Million Disbursement |author= |date=18 November 2016 |website=IMF |access-date=14 January 2017 |quote=[IMF] completed the first review of Sri Lanka's economic performance under the program supported by a three-year extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2018/06/19/Sri-Lanka-2018-Article-IV-Consultation-and-the-Fourth-Review-Under-the-Extended-Arrangement-45997 |title=Sri Lanka : 2018 Article IV Consultation and the Fourth Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Sri Lanka |website=IMF |language=en |access-date=5 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://economynext.com/China_on_track_to_bail_out_Sri_Lanka_with_US$1.25bn_in_2018-3-11431.html |title=China on track to bail out Sri Lanka with US$1.25bn in 2018 |website=economynext.com |language=en |access-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805112826/https://economynext.com/China_on_track_to_bail_out_Sri_Lanka_with_US$1.25bn_in_2018-3-11431.html |archive-date=5 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2021, Sri Lanka declared a major [[economic crisis]].<ref name="BBC News 2021 crisis">{{cite web|date=1 September 2021|title=Covid: Sri Lanka in economic emergency as food prices soar|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58390292|access-date=10 September 2021|website=BBC News}}</ref> The Chief of its Central Bank has stepped down amid the crisis.<ref name="Bloomberg 2021">{{cite web|last=Ondaatjie|first=Anusha|date=10 September 2021|title=Sri Lanka Central Bank Chief Steps Down Amid Reserves Crisis|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-10/sri-lanka-central-bank-governor-lakshman-to-step-down-sept-14|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Bloomberg}}</ref> The Parliament has declared emergency regulations due to the crisis, seeking to ban "food hoarding".<ref name="Al Jazeera 2021 crisis">{{cite web|date=7 September 2021|title=Sri Lanka parliament approves state of emergency – Food News|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/7/sri-lanka-parliament-emergency-food-prices-economic-crisis|access-date=10 September 2021|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka parliament passes emergency regulations to seize food stocks, warehouses|date=6 September 2021 |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-parliament-passes-emergency-regulations-to-seize-food-stocks-warehouses-85840/}}</ref>

Tourism, which provided the economy with an input of foreign currency, has significantly declined as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="The New York Times 2021sri"/>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Sri Lanka}}

Sri Lanka has an extensive road network for inland transportation. With more than {{cvt|100,000|km}} of paved roads,<ref>[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSARREGTOPTRANSPORT/1812598-1130163750121/20988151/Sri_Lanka_Benchmarking_Summary_21-12-04.pdf Sri Lanka: Transport at a Glance – Core Road Performance Indicators] World Bank</ref> it has one of the highest road densities in the world ({{cvt|1.5|km|disp=or}} of paved roads per every {{cvt|1|km2|disp=or}} of land). The road network consists of 35 [[List of A-Grade highways in Sri Lanka|A-Grade highways]] and [[Expressways of Sri Lanka|four]] [[controlled-access highway]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Expressway |url=http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/stdp.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415105137/http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/stdp.htm |archive-date=15 April 2009 |access-date=15 July 2014 |publisher=Road Development Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Colombo_Katunayaka Expressway |url=http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/cke.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417080550/http://www.rda.gov.lk/supported/expressways/cke.htm |archive-date=17 April 2009 |access-date=15 July 2014 |publisher=Road Development Authority}}</ref> A and B grade roads are national (arterial) highways administered by Road Development Authority.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rda.gov.lk/source/rda_roads.htm |title=Class A, B & E Roads |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428015938/http://www.rda.gov.lk/source/rda_roads.htm |archive-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> C and D grade roads are provincial roads coming under the purview of the Provincial Road Development Authority of the respective province. The other roads are local roads falling under local government authorities.

The [[Sri Lanka Railways|railway network]], operated by the state-run [[National Railway]] operator [[Sri Lanka Railways]], spans {{convert|1447|km|mi|-1}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics – Sri Lanka Railways |url=http://www.transport.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&Itemid=114&lang=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228064539/http://www.transport.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&Itemid=114&lang=en |archive-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=Ministry of Transport Sri Lanka}}</ref> Sri Lanka also has three [[deep-water port]]s at [[Port of Colombo|Colombo]], [[Galle]], and [[Trincomalee]], in addition to the newest port being built at [[Ruhunu Magampura International Port|Hambantota]].

=== Transition to biological agriculture ===

In June 2021, Sri Lanka imposed a nationwide ban on inorganic fertilisers and pesticides. The program was welcomed by its advisor [[Vandana Shiva]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 June 2021|title=Sri Lanka's shift towards organic farming|url=https://navdanyainternational.org/sri-lankas-shift-towards-organic-farming/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Navdanya international|language=en-US}}</ref> but ignored critical voices from scientific and farming community who warned about possible collapse of farming,<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Opinion {{!}} The ban on chemical fertilizer and the way forward of Sri Lankan Tea Industry|url=https://agrigateglobal.com/amp/reads/opinion/opinion-the-ban-on-chemical-fertilizer-and-the-way-forward-of-sri-lankan-tea-industry/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Agrigate Global|language=en-US|quote=By diverting the attention of policymakers towards pointless nonscientific arguments instead of promoting such integrated management systems and high technological fertilizer production, will be only a time-wasting effort and meanwhile, the global demand for Ceylon Tea will generate diminishing returns. At present, there are about 500,000 direct beneficiaries from the tea industry and about 600 factories are operating around the country. In general, the livelihood of around 3 million people is directly and indirectly woven around the domestic tea industry. The researchers and the experienced growers have predicted that a 50 percent reduction in the yield has to be anticipated with the ban of chemical fertilizer. The negative implication of this yield reduction is such that there is a risk of collapsing the banking sector which is centralized around the tea industry in the major tea growing areas including Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kaluthara, and Kegalle.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Opinion {{!}} Inorganic Fertilizer and Agrochemicals Ban in Sri Lanka and Fallacies of Organic Agriculture|url=https://agrigateglobal.com/amp/reads/opinion/inorganic-fertilizer-and-agrochemicals-ban-in-sri-lanka-and-fallacies-of-organic-agriculture/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Agrigate Global|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=8 June 2021|title=Sri Lanka Going Organic: Rethink the strategy; Agriculturists Write to President {{!}} The Sri Lankan Scientist|url=https://scientist.lk/2021/06/08/sri-lanka-going-organic-rethink-the-strategy-agriculturists-write-to-president/|access-date=5 September 2021|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=30 June 2021|title=Organic Farming In Sri Lanka – Ideology Of Hitler & Sri Lankan Agri "Cults"|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/organic-farming-in-sri-lanka-ideology-of-hitler-sri-lankan-agri-cults/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=Colombo Telegraph|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2021|title=Sri Lanka's organic push threatens to backpedal ag progress|url=https://www.agdaily.com/insights/perspective-sri-lankas-organic-push-threatens-to-backpedal-ag/|access-date=5 September 2021|website=AGDAILY|language=en-US}}</ref> including financial crisis due to devaluation of national currency pivoted around tea industry.<ref name=":7" /> The situation in the tea industry was described as critical, with farming under the organic program being described as ten times more expensive and producing half of the yield by the farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Organic food revolution in Sri Lanka threatens its tea industry|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/1/organic-food-revolution-sri-lanka-tea-industry|access-date=5 September 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> In September 2021 the government declared an economic emergency, as the situation was further aggravated by falling national currency exchange rate, inflation rising as a result of high food prices, and pandemic restrictions in tourism which further decreased country's income.<ref name="BBC News 2021 crisis"/>

In November 2021, Sri Lanka abandoned its plan to become the world's first organic farming nation following rising food prices and weeks of protests against the plan.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Watt|first=Louise|date=21 November 2021|title=Sri Lanka abandons drive to become world's first organic country amid spiralling food prices|language=en-GB|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/11/21/sri-lanka-abandons-drive-become-worlds-first-organic-country/|url-status=live|access-date=18 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118001307/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/11/21/sri-lanka-abandons-drive-become-worlds-first-organic-country/|archive-date=18 January 2022|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> As of December 2021, the damage to agricultural production was already done, with prices having risen substantially for vegetables in Sri Lanka, and time needed to recover from the crisis. The ban on fertiliser has been lifted for certain crops, but the price of urea has risen internationally due to the price for oil and gas.<ref name="The New York Times 2021sri">{{cite web|last1=Wipulasena|first1=Aanya|last2=Mashal|first2=Mujib|date=7 December 2021|title=Sri Lanka's Plunge Into Organic Farming Brings Disaster|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/world/asia/sri-lanka-organic-farming-fertilizer.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107014029/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/07/world/asia/sri-lanka-organic-farming-fertilizer.html|archive-date=7 January 2022|access-date=19 January 2022|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Jeevika Weerahewa, a senior lecturer at the [[University of Peradeniya]], predicted that the ban would reduce the paddy harvest in 2022 by an unprecedented 50%.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wallen|first1=Joe|last2=Hewage|first2=Nishantha|date=31 January 2022|title=Sri Lankan families go hungry as cost of food skyrockets|language=en-GB|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/sri-lankan-families-go-hungry-cost-food-skyrockets/|url-status=live|access-date=1 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201045654/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/sri-lankan-families-go-hungry-cost-food-skyrockets/|archive-date=1 February 2022|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Sri Lanka}}
[[File:SL population growth.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Sri Lanka's population, (1871–2001)]]

Sri Lanka has roughly 22,156,000 people and an annual population growth rate of 0.5%. The [[birth rate]] is 13.8 births per 1,000 people, and the [[Mortality rate|death rate]] is 6.0 deaths per 1,000 people.<ref name="Annual Report 2020" /> Population density is highest in western Sri Lanka, especially in and around the capital. [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] constitute the largest ethnic group in the country, with 74.8% of the total population.<ref name="CPH2011_1">{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/cph2011Pub/pop42.pdf |title=Sri Lanka Census of Population and Housing, 2011 – Population by Ethnicity |publisher=Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=10 October 2012 |archive-date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113161924/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/Pages/Activities/Reports/cph2011Pub/pop42.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] are the second major ethnic group in the island, with a percentage of 11.2%. [[Sri Lankan Moors|Moors]] comprise 9.2%. There are also small ethnic groups such as the [[Burgher people|Burghers]] (of mixed European descent) and [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malays]] from Southeast Asia. Moreover, there is a small population of [[Vedda people]] who are believed to be the original indigenous group to inhabit the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/dera2.html |title=Early Man and the Rise of Civilisation in Sri Lanka: the Archaeological Evidence |work=lankalibrary.com |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref>{{Clear}}

===Largest cities===
{{Largest cities
| country = Sri Lanka
| stat_ref = (2012 Department of Census and Statistics enumeration)<ref>{{cite web|title=Population of Municipal Councils and Urban Councils by sex Census 2012|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/abstract2021/CHAP2/2.4|website=statistics.gov.lk|publisher=Department of Census and Statistics|access-date=6 July 2017|date=2012}}</ref>
| div_name = Province
| city_1 = Colombo | div_1 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_1 = 561,314 | img_1 = Sunset from Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo.jpg
| city_2 = Kaduwela, Western Province{{!}}Kaduwela | div_2 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_2 = 252,041 | img_2 = Battaramulla City.jpg
| city_3 = Maharagama | div_3 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_3 = 196,423
| city_4 = Kesbewa | div_4 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_4 = 185,122
| city_5 = Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia | div_5 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_5 = 184,468
| city_6 = Moratuwa | div_6 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_6 = 168,280
| city_7 = Negombo | div_7 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_7 = 142,449
| city_8 = Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | div_8 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_8 = 107,925
| city_9 = Kalmunai | div_9 = Eastern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Eastern | pop_9 = 99,893
| city_10 = Kandy | div_10 = Central Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Central | pop_10 = 98,828
| city_11 = Galle | div_11 = Southern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Southern | pop_11 = 86,333
| city_12 = Batticaloa | div_12 = Eastern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Eastern | pop_12 = 86,227
| city_13 = Jaffna | div_13 = Northern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Northern | pop_13 = 80,829
| city_14 = Matara, Sri Lanka{{!}}Matara | div_14 = Southern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Southern | pop_14 = 74,193
| city_15 = Gampaha | div_15 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_15 = 62,335
| city_16 = Katunayake | div_16 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_16 = 60,915
| city_17 = Boralesgamuwa | div_17 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_17 = 60,110
| city_18 = Kolonnawa | div_18 = Western Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Western | pop_18 = 60,044
| city_19 = Anuradhapura | div_19 = North Central Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}North Central | pop_19 = 50,595
| city_20 = Trincomalee | div_20 = Eastern Province, Sri Lanka{{!}}Eastern | pop_20 = 48,351
}}

=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Sri Lanka}}

[[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] are the two [[official language]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.languagescom.gov.lk/about_us.htm |title=Official Languages Commission |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214143656/http://www.languagescom.gov.lk/about_us.htm |archive-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> The constitution defines [[Sri Lankan English|English]] as the link language. English is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the [[Burgher people|Burgher]] community speak variant forms of [[Portuguese Creole]] and Dutch with varying proficiency, while members of the Malay community speak a form of [[Creole language|Creole]] [[Sri Lanka Malay|Malay]] that is unique to the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eva.mpg.de/lingua/conference/10-slm2010/pdf/How_unique_is_Sri_Lanka_Malay.pdf |title=How unique is Sri Lanka Malay? |work=Peter Bakker |publisher=[[Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology]]}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Sri Lanka}}

{{Pie chart
| thumb = left
| caption = Religion in Sri Lanka (2012 census)<ref>{{cite web |title=A3 : Population by religion according to districts, 2012 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop43&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |work=Census of Population & Housing, 2011 |publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107065148/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop43&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="2011census">{{cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing 2011 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=SriLanka&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |publisher=Department of Census and Statistic |access-date=13 October 2019 |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106095548/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=SriLanka&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| label1 = [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Buddhism]]
| value1 = 70.2
| color1 = Gold
| label2 = [[Hinduism in Sri Lanka|Hinduism]]
| value2 = 12.6
| color2 = DarkOrange
| label3 = [[Islam in Sri Lanka|Islam]]
| value3 = 9.7
| color3 = Green
| label4 = [[Christianity in Sri Lanka|Christianity]]
| value4 = 7.4
| color4 = Blue
| label5 = Others
| value5 = 0.05
| color5 = Gray
}}

[[Buddhism]] is the largest and is considered as an "[[Official religion]]" of Sri Lanka under Chapter II, Article 9, "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana".<ref name="lawnet.gov.lk">{{cite web |url=https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/018-SLLR-SLLR-2007-V-1-ASHIK-v.-BANDULA-AND-OTHERSNoise-Pollution-Case.pdf |title=Ashik v Bandula And Others (Noise Pollution Case) |website=lawnet.gov.lk |access-date=6 January 2021 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301194734/https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/018-SLLR-SLLR-2007-V-1-ASHIK-v.-BANDULA-AND-OTHERSNoise-Pollution-Case.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90234.htm |title=Sri Lanka |work=International Religious Freedom Report 2007 |publisher=[[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]] | date=14 September 2007}}</ref>
Buddhism is practised by 70.2% of the Sri Lankan population with most being predominantly from [[Theravada]] school of thought.<ref name="bisl-sn" /> Most Buddhists are of the Sinhalese ethnic group with minority Tamils. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BCE by [[Mahinda (buddhist monk)|Mahinda Maurya]].<ref name="bisl-sn" /> A sapling of the [[Bodhi Tree]] under which [[the Buddha]] attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka during the same time. The [[Pāli Canon]] (''Thripitakaya''), having previously been preserved as an oral tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka around 30 BCE.<ref name="ph-tbas">{{cite web |url=http://www.peacehall.com/news/gb/english/2005/03/200503280400.shtml |title=Theravada Buddhism and Shan/Thai/Dai/Laos Regions Boxun News |publisher=Peacehall.com |date=28 March 2005}}</ref> Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddhism of any predominantly Buddhist nation.<ref name="bisl-sn">{{cite web |url=http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/lanka-txt.htm |title=Theravada: Buddhism in Sri Lankan |publisher=Buddhanet.net |access-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> During periods of decline, the Sri Lankan monastic lineage was revived through contact with Thailand and Burma.<ref name="ph-tbas" />

Although [[Hinduism in Sri Lanka|Hindus in Sri Lanka]] form a religious minority, Hinduism has been present in Sri Lanka at least since the 2nd century BCE.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Claveyrolas |first1=Mathieu |last2=Goreau-Ponceaud |first2=Anthony |last3=Madavan |first3=Delon |last4=Meyer |first4=Eric |last5=Trouillet |first5=Pierre-yves |title=Hindus and Others: A Sri Lankan Perspective (Introduction) |journal=The South Asianist Journal |date=2018 |volume=6 |issue=1 |page=4 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01900123/document |access-date=4 July 2022 |publisher=University of Edinburg}}</ref> Hinduism was the dominant religion in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka by Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King [[Devanampiya Tissa]];<ref>Asian Religions in British Columbia, UBC Press 2011, p. 125.</ref> the Sinhalese embraced Buddhism and Tamils remain Hindus in Sri Lanka. However, it was activity from across the [[Palk Strait]] that truly set the scene for [[Hinduism]]'s survival in Sri Lanka. [[Shaivism]] (devotional worship of Lord Shiva) was the dominant branch practised by the Tamil peoples, thus most of the traditional [[Hindu temple architecture]] and [[philosophy]] of Sri Lanka drew heavily from this particular strand of [[Hinduism]]. Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned the names of several Sri Lankan Hindu temples in his works.<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka Lecture on Hindu sculpture and architecture of Sri Lanka] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012234629/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/events/611-lecture-on-hindu-sculpture-and-architecture-of-sri-lanka |date=12 October 2012 }} Sunday Times – 29 September 2010</ref>

[[Islam in Sri Lanka|Islam]] is the third most prevalent religion in the country, having first been brought to the island by Arab traders over the course of many centuries, starting around the mid or late 7th century CE. Most followers on the island today are [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] who follow the [[Shafiʽi school|Shafi'i school]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indianmuslims.info/history_of_muslims_in_india/lankan_muslims_historical_links_with_india.html |title=Lankan Muslims' historical links with India |publisher=Indianmuslims.info |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060024/http://www.indianmuslims.info/history_of_muslims_in_india/lankan_muslims_historical_links_with_india.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}</ref> and are believed to be descendants of Arab traders and the local women whom they married.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sailanmuslim.com/news/wp-content/uploads/the-origins-and-affinities-of-the-sri-lankan-moors.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729002356/http://sailanmuslim.com/news/wp-content/uploads/the-origins-and-affinities-of-the-sri-lankan-moors.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2014 |title=Origins and Affinities of the Sri Lankan Moors}}</ref>

[[Christianity in Sri Lanka|Christianity]] reached the country at least as early as the fifth century (and possibly in the first),<ref>{{cite web |author=Pinto, Leonard |date=20 September 2013 |title=A Brief History Of Christianity In Sri Lanka |url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-brief-history-of-christianity-in-sri-lanka/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612094839/https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-brief-history-of-christianity-in-sri-lanka/ |archive-date=2023-06-12 |access-date=26 February 2015 |publisher=Colombo Telegraph}}</ref> gaining a wider foothold through Western colonists who began to arrive early in the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The carpenter-heretic: a collection of Buddhist stories about Christianity from the 18th century Sri Lanka |year=1998 |isbn=978-955-9098-42-3 |author1=Young, R. F. |author2=Sēnānāyaka, J. E. B. |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Colombo: Karunaratne & Sons. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axkLAAAAYAAJ}}</ref> Around 7.4% of the Sri Lankan population are Christians, of whom 82% are [[Catholic Church in Sri Lanka|Roman Catholics]] who trace their religious heritage directly to the Portuguese. Tamil Catholics attribute their religious heritage to [[Francis Xavier|St. Francis Xavier]] as well as Portuguese missionaries. The remaining Christians are evenly split between the [[Church of Ceylon|Anglican Church of Ceylon]] and other [[Protestantism|Protestant denominations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mongabay.com/history/sri_lanka/sri_lanka-christianity.html |title=Sri Lanka – Christianity |publisher=[[Mongabay]]}}</ref>

There is also a small population of [[Zoroastrian]] immigrants from India ([[Parsis]]) who settled in Ceylon during the period of British rule.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/parsiintro.htm |title=The Parsi Community of Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Ancestry.com]]}}</ref> This community has steadily dwindled in recent years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sundaytimes.lk/000910/plus5.html |title=Sri Lankan Parsis facing extinction? |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref>

Religion plays a prominent role in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The [[Buddhist]] majority observe [[Poya]] Days each month according to the [[Lunar calendar]], and [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]] also observe their own holidays. In a 2008 [[Gallup poll]], Sri Lanka was ranked the third most religious country in the world, with 99% of Sri Lankans saying religion was an important part of their daily life.<ref name="gallu">{{cite web |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/114211/Alabamians-Iranians-Common.aspx |title=What Alabamians and Iranians Have in Common |publisher=[[The Gallup Organization]] | date=9 February 2009}}</ref>

=== Health ===
[[File:Life expectancy in Sri Lanka.svg|thumb|Development of life expectancy]]
{{Main|Health in Sri Lanka}}

Sri Lankans have a [[life expectancy]] of 75.5 years at birth, which is 10% higher than the world average.<ref name="Annual Report 2020" /><ref name="treasry" /> The infant mortality rate stands at 8.5 per 1,000 births and the maternal mortality rate at 0.39 per 1,000 births, which is on par with figures from developed countries. The universal "pro-poor"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/features1.html |title=Our Pro-poor health care policy rewarded |work=The Island |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074209/http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/features1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> health care system adopted by the country has contributed much towards these figures.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quickoverview.com/issues/universal-healthcare-system.html |title=Universal Health Care |publisher=quickoverview.com |access-date=15 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412190920/http://quickoverview.com/issues/universal-healthcare-system.html |archive-date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sri Lanka ranks first among southeast Asian countries with respect to deaths by suicide, with 33 deaths per 100,000 persons. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, poverty, destructive pastimes, and inability to cope with stressful situations are the main causes behind the high suicide rates.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/social/social%20conditions.pdf |title=Social Conditions of Sri Lanka |pages=15–17 |publisher=statistics.gov.lk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117025044/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/social/social%20conditions.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2017 |access-date=10 March 2018}}</ref>
On 8 July 2020, the [[World Health Organization]] declared that Sri Lanka had successfully eliminated [[rubella]] and [[measles]] ahead of their 2023 target.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.who.int/southeastasia/news/detail/08-07-2020-maldives-sri-lanka-eliminate-measles-and-rubella-ahead-of-2023-target |title= Maldives, Sri Lanka eliminate measles and rubella, ahead of 2023 target}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Sri Lanka}}
[[File:SLINTEC060917.jpg|thumb|The [[Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology]] is a research institute specialising in the field of [[nanotechnology]].]]

With a [[literacy rate]] of 92.9%,<ref name="Annual Report 2020" /> Sri Lanka has one of the most literate populations amongst developing nations.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Problems of Illiteracy in a Literate Developing Society: Sri Lanka |author=Gunawardena, Chandra |year=1997 |volume=43 |issue=5/6 |pages=595–609 |journal=International Review of Education |jstor=3445068 |doi=10.1023/A:1003010726149 |bibcode=1997IREdu..43..595G |s2cid=142788627}}</ref> Its youth literacy rate stands at 98.8%,<ref>{{cite web |title=Literacy rate, youth total (% of people ages 15-24) – Sri Lanka |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS?locations=LK |publisher=World Bank | access-date=24 February 2021 |date=September 2020}}</ref> computer literacy rate at 35%,<ref name="daynwsl">{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/07/29/cdnstory.asp?sid=20110705_01 |title=Govt targets 75% computer literacy rate by 2016 |work=The Daily News}}</ref> and primary school enrollment rate at over 99%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_statistics.html |title=Sri Lanka – Statistics |publisher=[[UNICEF]] |access-date=13 November 2010 |archive-date=30 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830142313/https://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_statistics.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> An education system which dictates 9 years of [[Compulsory education|compulsory schooling]] for every child is in place.

The [[free education]] system established in 1945<ref>{{Cite book |author=De Silva, K.M. |title=A Short History of Sri Lanka |publisher=[[University of California Press]] | year=1981 |place=Los Angeles |page=472 |isbn=978-0-520-04320-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dByI_qil26YC}}</ref> is a result of the initiative of [[C. W. W. Kannangara]] and A. Ratnayake.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/06/08/fea26.asp |title=Honouring the Father of Free Education |work=The Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/10/who_was_father_of_free_educati.html |title=Who was "Father" of free education in Sri Lanka?: C.W.W. Kannangara or A. Ratnayake? |publisher=Trans Currents |access-date=21 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065821/http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/10/who_was_father_of_free_educati.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> It is one of the few countries in the world that provide universal free education from primary to tertiary stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/46.htm |title=Education: Traditional and Colonial Systems |publisher=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]]}}</ref> Kannangara led the establishment of the [[Madhya Vidyalaya]]s (central schools) in different parts of the country in order to provide education to Sri Lanka's rural children.<ref name="daynwsl" /> In 1942, a special education committee proposed extensive reforms to establish an efficient and quality education system for the people. However, in the 1980s changes to this system separated the administration of schools between the central government and the provincial government. Thus the elite [[National school (Sri Lanka)|national schools]] are controlled directly by the [[Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka)|ministry of education]] and the provincial schools by the provincial government. Sri Lanka has approximately 10,155 government schools, 120 private schools and 802 [[pirivena]]s.<ref name="Annual Report 2020"/>

Sri Lanka has 17 public universities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2021 |title=Universities and Higher Educational Institutions established under the purview of the University Grants Commission |url=https://www.ugc.ac.lk/index.php?option=com_university&view=list&Itemid=25&lang=en |access-date=28 October 2021 |website=UGC}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugc.ac.lk/downloads/statistics/stat_2010/Chapter1.pdf |page=3 |title=Sri Lanka University Statistics 2010 |publisher=[[University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka)|University Grants Commission]]}}</ref> A lack of responsiveness of the education system to labour market requirements, disparities in access to quality education, lack of an effective linkage between secondary and tertiary education remain major challenges for the education sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal.unesco.org/geography/fr/files/10905/12353682765Sri_Lanka.pdf/Sri%2BLanka.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623172848/http://portal.unesco.org/geography/fr/files/10905/12353682765Sri_Lanka.pdf/Sri%2BLanka.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2013 |pages=3–4 |title=Facing Global and Local Challenges: The New Dynamics for Higher Education – Sri Lanka Country Report |publisher=[[UNESCO]]}}</ref> A number of private, degree awarding institutions have emerged in recent times to fill in these gaps, yet the participation at tertiary level education remains at 5.1%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/statistics/educational-indicators.html |title=Educational Indicators 1980–2009 |publisher=[[University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka)]] | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222203802/http://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/statistics/educational-indicators.html |archive-date=22 February 2011}}</ref> Sri Lanka was ranked 95th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2021, down from 89th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2021 |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2021/|work=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]]|publisher=[[United Nations]]|access-date=5 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|website=www.wipo.int|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=RTD – Item|url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/rtd/items/691898|access-date=2 September 2021|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 October 2013|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2 September 2021|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Science fiction author [[Arthur C. Clarke]] served as chancellor of [[Moratuwa University]] from 1979 to 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mrt.ac.lk/web/content/sir-arthur-charles-clarke |title=Sir Arthur Charles Clarke |publisher=University of Moratuwa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140621013936/http://www.mrt.ac.lk/web/content/sir-arthur-charles-clarke |archive-date=21 June 2014 }}</ref>

== Human rights and media ==
{{Main|Human rights in Sri Lanka|Media in Sri Lanka}}

The [[Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation]] (formerly [[Radio Ceylon]]) is the oldest-running radio station in Asia,<ref name="slbcv">{{cite web |title=Radio Ceylon/Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation: The history of broadcasting in Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation]] | url=http://www.slbceng.org/pdf/Radio%20Ceylon-Sri%20Lanka%20Broadcasting%20Corporation.pdf |page=1 |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320060209/http://www.slbceng.org/pdf/Radio%20Ceylon-Sri%20Lanka%20Broadcasting%20Corporation.pdf |archive-date=20 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> established in 1923 by [[Edward Harper (engineer)|Edward Harper]] just three years after broadcasting began in Europe.<ref name="slbcv" /> The station broadcasts services in Sinhala, Tamil, English and Hindi. Since the 1980s, many private radio stations have also been introduced. Broadcast television was introduced in 1979 when the [[Independent Television Network]] was launched. Initially, all television stations were state-controlled, but private television networks began broadcasting in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sri-lanka |title=Sri Lanka Press, Media, TV, Radio, Newspapers |publisher=Pressreference.com}}</ref>

{{As of|2020}}, 192 newspapers (122 Sinhala, 24 Tamil, 43 English, 3 multilingual) are published and 25 TV stations and 58 radio stations are in operation.<ref name="Annual Report 2020" /> In recent years, [[freedom of the press]] in Sri Lanka has been alleged by media freedom groups to be amongst the [[Press Freedom Index|poorest in democratic countries]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediasupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ims-press-lockdown-srilanka-2008.pdf |pages=5–6 |title=Media under fire: Press freedom lockdown in Sri Lanka |publisher=International Press Freedom and Freedom of Expression Mission to Sri Lanka}}</ref> Alleged abuse of a newspaper editor by a senior government minister<ref name="You are pigs who eat shit">{{cite news |last=Jansz |first=Frederica |title=Gota goes berserk |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/07/08/gota-goes-berserk/ |access-date=24 November 2012 |newspaper=Sunday Leader |date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020203648/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/07/08/gota-goes-berserk/ |archive-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> achieved international notoriety because of the unsolved murder of the editor's predecessor, [[Lasantha Wickrematunge]],<ref name="Death foretold">{{cite news |title=Chronicle of a death foretold |url=http://www.economist.com/node/12932312 |access-date=24 November 2012 |newspaper=The Economist |date=15 January 2009}}</ref> who had been a critic of the government and had presaged his own death in a posthumously published article.<ref name="pre-written posthumous editorial">{{cite news |last=Wickramasinghe |first=Lasantha |title=And then they came for me |url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm |access-date=25 November 2012 |newspaper=Sunday Leader |date=11 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016035116/http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm |archive-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Officially, the constitution of Sri Lanka guarantees human rights as ratified by the United Nations. However, several groups, such as [[Amnesty International]], [[Freedom from Torture]], [[Human Rights Watch]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/sri-lanka |title=Amnesty International{{snd}}Sri Lanka Human Rights Reports |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |access-date=4 December 2016 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217135852/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/sri-lanka |url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as the [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Keerthisinghe | first=Lakshman I. | url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/28002-the-british-duplicity-in-protecting-human-rights-in-sri-lanka.html | title=The British duplicity in protecting human rights in Sri Lanka | publisher=Daily Mirror | year=2013 | access-date=21 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021114438/http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/28002-the-british-duplicity-in-protecting-human-rights-in-sri-lanka.html | archive-date=21 October 2013 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[United States Department of State]] have criticised human rights violations in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/sa/index.cfm?docid=704 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010607063826/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/sa/index.cfm?docid=704 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 June 2001 |title=Sri Lanka: Country Report on Human Rights Practices |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] | date=23 February 2001}}</ref> The [[Government of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan Government]] and the LTTE have both been accused of violating human rights. A [[Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka|report by an advisory panel to the UN secretary-general]] accused both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government of [[Alleged war crimes during the Sri Lankan Civil War|war crimes]] during final stages of the civil war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/Sri_Lanka/POE_Report_Full.pdf |title=Report of the Secretary – General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka |page=71 |date=31 March 2011 |publisher=[[United Nations]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/asie-pacifique/article/2009/05/28/sri-lanka-l-onu-a-cache-l-ampleur-des-massacres_1199091_3216.html |title=L'ONU a caché l'ampleur des massacres au Sri Lanka |newspaper=Le Monde |access-date=26 February 2013 |date=28 May 2009}}</ref> Corruption remains a problem in Sri Lanka, and there is little protection for those who stand up against corruption.<ref>{{cite web |title=Business Corruption in Sri Lanka |url=http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/south-asia/sri-lanka/business-corruption-in-sri-lanka.aspx |publisher=Business Anti-Corruption Portal |access-date=8 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408215752/http://www.business-anti-corruption.com/country-profiles/south-asia/sri-lanka/business-corruption-in-sri-lanka.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> The 135-year-old [[Article 365 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code]] criminalises [[LGBT rights in Sri Lanka|gay sex]], with a penalty of up to ten years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/03/06/LKA103948.E.pdf |title=Department for Justice}}</ref>

The [[United Nations Human Rights Council|UN Human Rights Council]] has documented [[Enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka|over 12,000 named individuals]] who have disappeared after detention by security forces in Sri Lanka, the second-highest figure in the world since the Working Group came into being in 1980.<ref name="UNHRC involuntary disappearances report">{{cite web |last=United Nations |first=Human Rights Council Nineteenth session |title=Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances |url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/RegularSession/Session19/A-HRC-19-58-Rev1_en.pdf |publisher=UN |access-date=24 November 2012 |pages=3,113 |quote='The original mandate derives from Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI) of 29 February 1980','Since its establishment, the Working Group has transmitted 12,460 cases to the Government; of those, 40 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the source, 6,535 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government, 214 cases were found to be duplications and were therefore deleted, and 5,671 remain outstanding.'}}</ref> The Sri Lankan government confirmed that 6,445 of these died. Allegations of human rights abuses have not ended with the close of the ethnic conflict.<ref name="People are disappearing">{{cite news |last=Disappearances in Sri Lanka |title=Murky business: People are disappearing{{snd}}and the government has been accused|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21542827|access-date=24 November 2012|newspaper=The Economist|date=14 January 2012}}</ref>

[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN Human Rights Commissioner]] [[Navanethem Pillay]] visited Sri Lanka in May 2013. After her visit, she said: "The war may have ended [in Sri Lanka], but in the meantime, democracy has been undermined and the rule of law eroded." Pillay spoke about the military's increasing involvement in civilian life and reports of military [[land grabbing]]. She also said that, while in Sri Lanka, she had been allowed to go wherever she wanted, but that Sri Lankans who came to meet her were harassed and intimidated by security forces.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/130831/un-human-rights-commissioner-democracy-has-been-undermined |title=UN Human Rights Commissioner: 'democracy has been undermined' in Sri Lanka |work=GlobalPost |date=31 August 2013 |access-date=10 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23899082 |title=UN's Navi Pillay attacks Sri Lanka human rights record |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2013 |access-date=10 September 2013}}</ref>

In 2012, the UK charity [[Freedom from Torture]] reported that it had received 233 referrals of torture survivors from Sri Lanka for clinical treatment or other services provided by the charity. In the same year, the group published ''Out of the Silence'', which documents evidence of torture in Sri Lanka and demonstrates that the practice has continued long after the end of the civil war in 2009.<ref>[http://www.freedomfromtorture.org/feature/out_of_the_silence/5980 Sri Lanka: Out of the Silence]. freedomfromtorture.org</ref> On 29 July 2020, [[Human Rights Watch]] said that the Sri Lanka government has targeted lawyers, human rights defenders, and journalists to suppress criticism against the government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/29/sri-lanka-human-rights-under-attack |title=Sri Lanka: Human Rights Under Attack |date=29 July 2020 |access-date=29 July 2020 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:Vavuniya Kavadi.JPG|thumb|Hindu devotees engaging in ''[[Kavadi]]'' at a temple in [[Vavuniya]]]]
The [[culture of Sri Lanka]] is influenced primarily by Buddhism and Hinduism.<ref name="precol">{{cite web |url=http://www.panix.com/~kendra/tea/precolonial_history.html |title=Pre-Colonial Sri Lankan History |publisher=panix.com}}</ref> Sri Lanka is the home to two main traditional cultures: the Sinhalese (centred in Kandy and Anuradhapura) and the Tamil (centred in Jaffna). Tamils co-existed with the Sinhalese people since then, and the early mixing rendered the two ethnic groups almost physically indistinguishable.<ref>{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|p=97}}</ref> Ancient Sri Lanka is marked for its genius in [[Ancient constructions of Sri Lanka#Irrigation Works|hydraulic engineering]] and [[Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka|architecture]]. The British colonial culture has also influenced the locals. The rich cultural traditions shared by all Sri Lankan cultures is the basis of the country's long life expectancy, advanced health standards and high literacy rate.<ref name="nub94">{{Harvnb|Nubin|2002|p=94}}</ref>

=== Food and festivals ===
{{Main|Sri Lankan cuisine|Festivals in Sri Lanka}}
[[File:Sri Lankan Rice and Curry.jpg|thumb|Sri Lankan rice and curry]]

Dishes include rice and curry, [[puttu|pittu]], [[kiribath]], wholemeal [[roti]], [[Idiyappam|string hoppers]], wattalapam (a rich pudding of Malay origin made with [[coconut milk]], jaggery, cashews, eggs, and spices including cinnamon and nutmeg), [[kottu]], and [[appam]].<ref name="simplysl">{{Cite book |author=Jayakody, Padmini |title=Simply Sri Lankan |publisher=Lulu.com |page=3 |place=Australia | isbn=978-1-4092-1942-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxq1FlxUi9YC |year=2008}}</ref> [[Jackfruit]] may sometimes replace rice. Traditionally food is served on a [[Plantain (cooking)|plantain leaf or lotus leaf]]. Middle Eastern influences and practices are found in traditional Moor dishes, while Dutch and Portuguese influences are found with the island's Burgher community preserving their culture through traditional dishes such as [[lamprais]] (rice cooked in stock and baked in a banana leaf), [[breudher]] (Dutch holiday biscuit), and [[Bolo fiado]] (Portuguese-style layer cake).

In April, Sri Lankans celebrate the [[Sinhalese New Year|Buddhist]] and [[Tamil New Year|Hindu]] new year festivals.<ref name="dersl">{{Cite book |author=Wickremeratne, Swarna |year=2006 |title=Buddha in Sri Lanka: remembered yesterdays |publisher=SUNY Press |page=31 |isbn=978-0-7914-6881-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QskAmQEACAAJ}}</ref> [[Esala Perahera]] is a symbolic Buddhist festival consisting of dances and decorated elephants held in Kandy in July and August.<ref name="esalasl">{{Cite book |author=Dassanayake, M. B. |year=1970 |title=The Kandy Esala perahera: Asia's most spectacular pageant |publisher=Lake House Bookshop |page=7 |place=Colombo}}</ref> Fire dances, whip dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances are integral parts of the festival. Christians celebrate [[Christmas]] on 25 December to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and [[Easter]] to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Tamils celebrate [[Thai Pongal]] and [[Maha Shivaratri]], and Muslims celebrate [[Hajj]] and [[Ramadan]].

=== Visual, literary and performing arts ===
{{Main|Cinema of Sri Lanka|Music of Sri Lanka|Dances of Sri Lanka|Theatre of Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan literature}}
[[File:Two Women in Traditional Kandyan Dress Laugh While Waiting as Secretary Kerry Meets With Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Samaraweera (16720359423).jpg|thumb|Female dancers in traditional [[Kandyan dance|Kandyan dress]]]]
[[File:The landmark Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG|thumb|The [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]] was constructed as a major venue for the performing arts]]

The movie ''[[Kadawunu Poronduwa]]'' (''The Broken Promise''), produced by [[S. M. Nayagam]] of Chitra Kala Movietone, heralded the coming of Sri Lankan cinema in 1947. ''[[Ranmuthu Duwa]]'' (''Island of Treasures'') marked the transition of cinema from [[black-and-white]] to colour. In recent years, movies have featured subjects such as family melodrama, social transformation and the years of conflict between the military and the LTTE.<ref name="easiancinem">{{Cite book |author=Dissanayake, Wimal |year=2006 |title=Contemporary Asian cinema: popular culture in a global frame, Chapter 8 |publisher=Berg |pages=108–119 |isbn=978-1-84520-237-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_PmysZli1cC}}</ref> The Sri Lankan cinematic style is similar to [[Bollywood]] movies. In 1979, movie attendance rose to an all-time high but has been in a steady decline since then.<ref name="denandind">{{Cite book |author=Lakshman, W. D. |year=2000 |title=Sri Lanka's development since independence |publisher=[[Nova Publishers]] | page=253 |place=[[New York City|New York]] | isbn=978-1-56072-784-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MLqmdDp3l0oC}}</ref>

An influential filmmaker is [[Lester James Peiris]], who has directed a number of movies which led to global acclaim, including ''[[Rekava]]'' (''Line of Destiny'', 1956), ''[[Gamperaliya (film)|Gamperaliya]]'' (''The Changing Village'', 1964), ''[[Nidhanaya]]'' (''The Treasure'', 1970) and ''[[Golu Hadawatha]]'' (''Cold Heart'', 1968).<ref name="lstjms">{{cite news |title=Dr. Lester James Peiris, Father of Sri Lankan Cinema, celebrates 90th Birthday |newspaper=[[Asian Tribune]] | url=http://asiantribune.com/?q=node/16540 |access-date=21 January 2021 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309042437/http://asiantribune.com/?q=node%2F16540 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sri Lankan-Canadian poet [[Rienzi Crusz]], is the subject of a documentary on his life in Sri Lanka. His work is published in Sinhala and English. Naturalised Canadian [[Michael Ondaatje]] is well known for his English-language novels and three films.

The earliest music in Sri Lanka came from theatrical performances such as ''Kolam'', ''Sokari'' and ''Nadagam''.<ref name="cambrmu">{{Cite book |author=Brandon, James R. |year=1997 |title=The Cambridge guide to Asian theatre |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | pages=226–229 |place=[[Cambridge]] | isbn=978-0-521-58822-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttnH5W9qoBAC}}</ref> Traditional music instruments such as ''Béra'', ''Thammátama'', ''Daŭla'' and ''Răbān'' were performed at these dramas. The first music album, ''Nurthi'', recorded in 1903, was released through Radio Ceylon. Songwriters like [[Mahagama Sekara]] and [[Ananda Samarakoon]] and musicians such as [[W. D. Amaradeva]], [[Victor Ratnayake]], [[Nanda Malini]] and [[Clarence Wijewardene]] have contributed much towards the progression of Sri Lankan music.<ref name="wmrhg">{{Cite book |author=McConnachie, James |year=2000 |title=World music: the rough guide, Volume 2 |publisher=Rough Guides |page=230 |isbn=978-1-85828-636-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QzX8THIgRjUC}}</ref> [[Baila]] originated among [[Sri Lanka Kaffirs|Kaffirs]] or the Afro-Sinhalese community.<ref name="lnlypnlu">{{Cite book |author=Atkinson, Brett |year=2009 |title=Lonely Planet Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] | page=50 |isbn=978-1-74104-835-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QAgHA69_rwC}}</ref>

[[File:Sri Lanka traditional drum.jpg|thumb|A Low Country drummer playing the traditional ''Yak Béra'']]
There are three main styles of Sri Lankan classical dance. They are, the [[Kandyan dance]]s, low country dances and [[Sabaragamuwa]] dances. Of these, the Kandyan style is most prominent. It is a sophisticated form of dance<ref name="dncen2">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Kandyan dance |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Kandyan-dance}}</ref> that consists of five sub-categories: ''Ves dance'', ''Naiyandi dance'', ''Udekki dance'', ''Pantheru dance'' and ''18 Vannam''.<ref name="sldance">{{Cite book |author=Cummings, Joe |year=2006 |title=Sri Lanka |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] | pages=50–52 |isbn=978-1-74059-975-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pq9XaJuzwkQC}}</ref> An elaborate headdress is worn by the male dancers, and a drum called ''Geta Béraya'' is used to assist the dancers to keep on rhythm.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite web |title=Dance of Sri Lanka |publisher=lakpura.com |url=https://us.lakpura.com/pages/dance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714003824/http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/dance-and-drama-of-sri-lanka-104.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |date=28 July 2014}}</ref>

The history of Sri Lankan painting and sculpture can be traced as far back as to the 2nd or 3rd century BCE.<ref name="lklibrform">{{cite web |title=History of painting and sculpture in Sri Lanka |publisher=lankalibrary.com |url=http://lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3128 |access-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084513/http://lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3128 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The earliest mention about the art of painting on Mahāvaṃsa, is to the drawing of a palace on cloth using [[cinnabar]] in the 2nd century BCE. The chronicles have a description of various paintings in relic chambers of Buddhist stupas and in monastic residences.

Theatre came to the country when a [[Parsi theatre]] company from [[Mumbai]] introduced ''Nurti'', a blend of European and Indian theatrical conventions to the Colombo audience in the 19th century.<ref name="sldance" /> The golden age of Sri Lankan drama and theatre began with the staging of ''Maname'', a play written by [[Ediriweera Sarachchandra]] in 1956.<ref name="theatresl">{{cite web |title=The Sinhala Theatre of Sri Lanka: A Form of Political Discourse |publisher=artsrilanka.org |url=http://www.artsrilanka.org/essays/theatre/index.html |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=14 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114210156/http://www.artsrilanka.org/essays/theatre/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was followed by a series of popular dramas like ''Sinhabāhu'', ''Pabāvatī'', ''Mahāsāra'', ''Muudu Puththu'' and ''Subha saha Yasa''.

Sri Lankan literature spans at least two millennia and is heir to the [[Aryan race|Aryan]] literary tradition as embodied in the hymns of the [[Rigveda]].<ref name="lklinbr" /> The [[Pāli Canon]], the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, was written down in Sri Lanka during the [[Fourth Buddhist council]], at the Alulena cave temple, [[Kegalle]], as early as 29 BCE.<ref name="alulena">{{cite web |title=Challenge to Buddha Jayanthi Stamp Selection Board |work=The Island |url=http://www.island.lk/2006/05/31/opinion6.html |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115010/http://www.island.lk/2006/05/31/opinion6.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chronicles such as the ''Mahāvaṃsa'', written in the 6th century, provide vivid descriptions of Sri Lankan dynasties. According to the German philosopher [[Wilhelm Geiger]], the chronicles are based on Sinhala [[Atthakatha]] (commentary).<ref name="lklinbr" /> The oldest surviving prose work is the ''Dhampiya-Atuva-Getapadaya'', compiled in the 9th century CE.<ref name="lklinbr" /> The greatest literary feats of medieval Sri Lanka include ''Sandesha Kāvya'' (poetic messages) such as ''Girā Sandeshaya'' (parrot message), ''Hansa Sandeshaya'' (swan message) and ''Salalihini Sandeshaya'' (myna message). Poetry including ''Kavsilumina'', ''Kavya-Sekharaya'' (''Diadem of Poetry'') and proses such as ''Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya'', ''Amāvatura'' (''Flood of Nectar'') and ''Pujāvaliya'' are also notable works of this period, which is considered to be the golden age of Sri Lankan literature.<ref name="lklinbr">{{cite web |title=A survey of Sinhalese poetry from ancient times to the modern period |publisher=lankalibrary.com |url=http://www.lankalibrary.com/books/sinhala8.htm}}</ref> The first modern-day novel, ''Meena'' by Simon de Silva appeared in 1905<ref name="sldance" /> and was followed by several revolutionary literary works. [[Martin Wickramasinghe]], the author of ''[[Madol Doova]]'' is considered the iconic figure of Sri Lankan literature.<ref name="martinw">{{cite web |title=Martin Wickramasinghe: An icon of world intellectual heritage |work=The Daily News |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2010/07/23/fea01.asp}}</ref>

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Sri Lanka}}
[[File:The_clouds_roll_in.jpg|thumb|[[R. Premadasa Stadium]] in [[Colombo]].]]
While the [[national sport]] is [[volleyball]], by far the most popular sport in the country is [[Cricket]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/10/02/spo12.asp |title=Can Sri Lanka form an invincible cricket team? |author=Gurusinghe, Nimal |work=The Daily News |date=2 October 2008}}</ref> [[Rugby union]] also enjoys extensive popularity,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/25/rugby-sri-lanka-asias-little-known-rugby-haven.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408233643/http://dawn.com/2011/05/25/rugby-sri-lanka-asias-little-known-rugby-haven/ |archive-date=8 April 2012 |title=Rugby: Sri Lanka, Asia's little-known rugby haven |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] | date=25 May 2011}}</ref> as do [[association football]], [[netball]] and [[tennis]]. Aquatic sports such as boating, surfing, swimming, kitesurfing<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitesurfingsrilanka.com/ |title=Kitesurf Sri Lanka |publisher=kitesurfingsrilanka.com}}</ref> and [[scuba diving]] attract many Sri Lankans and foreign tourists. There are two styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka: [[Cheena di]] and [[Angampora]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sinhalaya.com/srilankatravelguide/ac_martial_arts_lanka.php |title=Sri Lankan martial arts |publisher=sinhalaya.com |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125023655/http://www.sinhalaya.com/srilankatravelguide/ac_martial_arts_lanka.php |archive-date=25 January 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:MuralitharanBust2004IMG.JPG|right|thumb|170px|[[Muttiah Muralitharan]] has taken the highest number of [[Wicket#Dismissing a batsman|wickets]] in [[Test cricket]].<ref name="Muralitharan">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html|title=Player Profile: Muttiah Muralitharan|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=30 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213191453/http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49636.html|archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref>|alt=Muttiah Muralitharan]]

The [[Sri Lanka national cricket team]] achieved considerable success beginning in the 1990s, rising from [[underdog (competition)|underdog]] status to winning the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]], defeating [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] in the final on 17 March 1996.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/cricketworldcup2007/story/0,,2016636,00.html |title=Sri Lanka light up the world |author=Selvey, Mike |work=[[The Guardian]] | date=18 March 1996 |place=London}}</ref> They also won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]] played in Bangladesh, beating India in the final. In addition, Sri Lanka became the runners-up of the [[Cricket World Cup]] in [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/247507.html |title=Final: Australia v Sri Lanka at Bridgetown, Apr 28, 2007 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |author-link=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> and [[2011 Cricket World Cup Final|2011]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9444277.stm |title=India power past Sri Lanka to Cricket World Cup triumph |author=Sheringham, Sam |publisher=BBC |date=2 April 2011}}</ref> and of the [[ICC World Twenty20]] in [[2009 ICC World Twenty20|2009]] and [[2012 ICC World Twenty20|2012]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wt202009/content/story/410042.html |title=Afridi fifty seals title for Pakistan |author=McGlashan, Andrew |date=21 June 2009 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> Former Sri Lankan [[Off spin|off-spinner]] [[Muttiah Muralitharan]] has been rated as the greatest [[Test cricket|test match]] [[bowler (cricket)|bowler]] ever by ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/2572069.stm |title=Murali 'best bowler ever' |work=[[BBC]] Sport |date=13 December 2002 |place=London}}</ref> and four Sri Lankan cricketers ranked 2nd ([[Kumar Sangakkara|Sangakkara]]), 4th ([[Sanath Jayasuriya|Jayasuriya]]), 5th ([[Mahela Jayawardene|Jayawardene]]) and 11th ([[Tillakaratne Dilshan|Dilshan]]) highest ODI run scorers of all time, which is the second best by a team. As of June 2022, Muttiah Muralitharan has the highest aggregate wickets in Test Cricket with a record 800 wickets, a feat he achieved in a Test Match against India in July 2010 that Sri Lanka had won by 10 Wickets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2010-455238/sri-lanka-vs-india-1st-test-456669/match-report|title=Murali gets 800, Sri Lanka win by ten wickets|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|first=Sriram|last=Veera|date=22 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofsports.com/cricket/highest-test-wicket-takers/|title=Top 50 Highest Test Wicket Takers in Cricket History|website=[[Times of Sports]]|date=13 March 2023 }}</ref> Sri Lanka has won the [[Asia Cup]] in 1986,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/47/47039.html |title=John Player Gold Leaf Trophy (Asia Cup) 1985/86 (Final) |date=6 April 1986 |publisher=cricketarchive.co.uk}}</ref> 1997,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/151650.html |title=Pepsi Asia Cup, 1997–98 |author=Thawfeeq, Sa'adi |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> 2004,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/134815.html |title=Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup |author=Vasu, Anand |date=1 August 2004 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> 2008,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/asiacup/content/current/series/298014.html |title=Asia Cup 2008 |date=6 July 2008 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307220216/http://www.espncricinfo.com/asiacup/content/current/series/298014.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/asia-cup-2014/content/current/series/671665.html |title=Asia Cup 2014 |date=8 March 2014 |publisher=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-date=21 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921144658/http://www.espncricinfo.com/asia-cup-2014/content/current/series/671665.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2788151 |title=Brilliant Sri Lanka clinch Asia Cup 2022 title|access-date=12 September 2022 |work=International Cricket Council}}</ref> Sri Lanka once held the highest team score in all three formats of cricket.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.exzoon.com/sri_lanka_national_cricket_team.html |title=Sri Lanka National Cricket Team |publisher=exzoon.com |access-date=15 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101040927/http://www.exzoon.com/sri_lanka_national_cricket_team.html |archive-date=1 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The country co-hosted the Cricket World Cup in [[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]] and [[2011 Cricket World Cup|2011]] and hosted the [[2012 ICC World Twenty20]].

Sri Lankans have won two medals at [[Olympic Games]]: one silver, by [[Duncan White]] at the [[1948 Summer Olympics|1948 London Olympics]] for men's [[400 metres hurdles]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/06/12/spo09.asp |title=Duncan White – the greatest Sri Lankan athlete |date=12 June 2008 |work=The Daily News}}</ref> and one silver by [[Susanthika Jayasinghe]] at the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney Olympics]] for women's [[200 metres]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/susanthika-jayasinghe |title=Athlete Susanthika Jayasinghe |publisher=International Olympic Committee |date=20 June 2016}}</ref> In 1973, [[Muhammad Lafir]] won the [[IBSF World Billiards Championship|World Billiards Championship]], the highest feat by a Sri Lankan in a [[Cue sports|Cue sport]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://print.dailymirror.lk/editorial/106-editorial/12395.html |title=LKY's prejudice |date=7 June 2010 |work=Daily Mirror |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218191441/http://print.dailymirror.lk/editorial/106-editorial/12395.html |archive-date=18 December 2013 }}</ref> Sri Lanka has also won the Carrom World Championship titles twice in 2012, [[2016 Carrom World Championship|2016]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thepapare.com/sri-lanka-mens-champions-carrom-world-championship-2016/ |title=Sri Lanka emerged as world champions |date=10 November 2016 |work=Prepare}}</ref> and 2018, the men's team becoming champions and the women's team winning second place. The [[Sri Lankan National Badminton Championships]] was annually held between 1953 and 2011.

[[Sri Lanka national football team]] also won the prestigious [[1995 South Asian Gold Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://saffederation.org/saff-gold-cup-1995/ |title=SAFF Website |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918095651/https://saffederation.org/saff-gold-cup-1995/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/competition/soccer/saff-gold-cup-1995-sri-lanka/semi-finals/17371/|title=1995 SAFF Championship;globalsport archive.com|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/competitions/south-asian-football-federation-(saff)-championship/1995/|title=1995 SAFF Championship|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/saffgold95.html|title=1995 SAFF Championship;RSSSF.com|access-date=24 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/04/04/spo03.asp|title=Lanka hopes to regain supremacy|access-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Outline of Sri Lanka]]
* [[List of cities in Sri Lanka]]
{{Clear}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist
| refs =
<ref name="corankel">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vTOJiGQ2mLIC |author1=Corea, Gamani |author2=Kelegama, Saman |name-list-style=amp |title=Economic policy in Sri Lanka: Issues and debates |publisher=SAGE |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7619-3278-9 |pages=405–406}}</ref>
}}

=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Sources and further reading===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Codrington|first=H.W.|title=A Short History of Ceylon|publisher=Macmillan & Co.|year=1926|location=London|isbn=978-0-8369-5596-5|oclc=2154168|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4hyiaAXhNd8C}}
* {{cite book|last1=Buswell|first1=R.E.|last2=Lopez|first2=D.S.|title=The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-691-15786-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-fWKngEACAAJ|access-date=29 May 2021}}
* Ganguly, Sumit. "Ending the Sri Lankan civil war." ''Dædalus'' 147.1 (2018): 78–89. [https://direct.mit.edu/daed/article-pdf/147/1/78/1831032/daed_a_00475.pdf online]
* {{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iudi2JJLaUAC|last=Nubin|first=Walter|title=Sri Lanka: Current issues and historical background|publisher=[[Nova Publishers]]|year=2002|isbn=978-1-59033-573-4}}
* Peebles, Patrick. ''The History of Sri Lanka'' (Greenwood, 2005).
* {{cite web|url=http://www.usamyanmar.net/Buddha/Article/The%20Theri%20Arahant%20Sanghamitta.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Theri Sanghamitta and the Bodhi Tree|last=Paw|first=Maung|website=usamyanmar.net|access-date=15 September 2011|archive-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724120135/http://www.usamyanmar.net/Buddha/Article/The%20Theri%20Arahant%20Sanghamitta.pdf}}
* {{cite book|last=De Silva|first=K. M.|title=A history of Sri Lanka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dByI_qil26YC|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|year=1981|isbn=978-0-520-04320-6}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Ceylon}}

===Government===
* [https://www.gov.lk/ Official Sri Lankan Government Web Portal], a gateway to government sites.
* [http://www.parliament.lk/ Official website] of the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka]].
* [http://www.news.lk/ Official Government News Portal]
* [http://www.president.gov.lk/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725214707/http://www.president.gov.lk/ |date=25 July 2011 }} of the [[President of Sri Lanka]].
* [http://www.pmoffice.gov.lk/ Official website] of the [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka]] / [[Prime Minister's Office (Sri Lanka)|Prime Minister's Office]].
* [http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk/ Official website] of the Office of the [[Cabinet of Sri Lanka|Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka]].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190810153706/http://www.supremecourt.lk/ Official website] of the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]].

===Overviews and data===
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sri-lanka/ Sri Lanka]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [http://www.statistics.gov.lk/ Official site] of the Department of Census and Statistics.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111201012336/http://www.treasury.gov.lk/reports/annualreport/AnnualReport2010-eng.pdf Annual Report 2010] from the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120829212335/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/srilanka.htm Sri Lanka] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''.
* {{Curlie|Regional/Asia/Sri_Lanka}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11999611 Sri Lanka profile] from the [[BBC News]].
* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/561906/Sri-Lanka Sri Lanka] in the [[Encyclopædia Britannica]].
* [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/sri-lanka Introducing Sri Lanka] Overview of the country from [[Lonely Planet]].
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=LK Key Development Forecasts for Sri Lanka] from [[International Futures]].

===History===
* [http://lakdiva.org/mahavamsa/chapters.html Mahavamsa] an ancient Sri Lankan chronicle written in the 6th century.
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/files/13325/13325-h/13325-h.htm Sketches of the Natural History of Ceylon] by Sir [[James Emerson Tennent]], 1861.

===Maps===

* {{Wikiatlas|Sri Lanka}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|536807}}
* [https://maps.google.com/maps?q=sri+lanka Sri Lanka Map] in [[Google Maps]].
* [https://merhav.nli.org.il/primo-explore/search?query=any,contains,sri%20lanka&tab=default_tab&search_scope=Local&sortby=lso01&vid=NLI&mfacet=rtype,include,Maps,1&mfacet=tlevel,include,online_resources,2&lang=iw_IL&offset=0&came_from=sort Old maps of Sri Lanka], Eran Laor Cartographic Collection, [[National Library of Israel|The National Library of Israel]]

===Trade===
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/LKA/Year/2012/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics Sri Lanka]

{{Clear}}
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Colombo

2023-10-10T13:27:20Z

Sunkyjay: Edit

{{short description|Capital and largest city of Sri Lanka}}
{{distinguish|Columbo|Colombia}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Sri Lankan English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Colombo
| native_name = {{lang|si|කොළඹ}} {{lang|ta|கொழும்பு}}
| official_name =
| settlement_type = [[Capital city]] ([[Executive (government)|executive]] and [[Judiciary|judicial]])
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
| total_width = 250
| border = infobox
| perrow = 1/2/3/2
| caption_align = center
| image1 = LK-Colombo-altes-parlament.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 = The [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|Old Parliament Building]], [[Bank of Ceylon]] building and [[World Trade Center Colombo|WTC twin towers]] in the Colombo financial district of [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]
| image2 = Seema Malaka - Buddha statues.jpg
| alt2 =
| caption2 = [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] statues at [[Seema Malaka]]
| image3 = Independence Commemoration Hall.jpg
| alt3 =
| caption3 = [[Independence Memorial Hall]]
| image4 = Slave Island Murugan Temple.jpg
| alt4 =
| caption4 = The [[Murugan]] Hindu temple in [[Company Roads]]
| image5 = LK-colombo-yorkstreet-1.jpg
| alt5 =
| caption5 = the [[Grand Oriental Hotel]] in [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]
| image6 = The auditorium entrance 2.JPG
| alt6 =
| caption6 = [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre|Nelum Pokuna]]
| image7 = Sunset from Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo.jpg
| alt7 =
| caption7 = Skyline over [[Galle Face Green]] (middle), with [[Shangri-La Colombo|Shangri-La Hotel]] and [[One Galle Face]] (left), and [[Indian Ocean]] (right)
}}
| image_seal = Colombo MC logo.png
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Sri Lanka Colombo District#Sri Lanka#Asia
| pushpin_map_caption =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Sri Lanka]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Sri Lanka|Province]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Sri Lanka|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Colombo District]]
| leader_title = Municipal Council
| leader_name = [[Colombo Municipal Council]]
| leader_title1 = Headquarters
| leader_name1 = [[Town Hall (Colombo)|Town Hall]]
| leader_title2 = [[Mayor of Colombo|Mayor]]
| leader_name2 = [[Rosy Senanayake]] ([[United National Party|UNP]])
| area_total_km2 = 37.31
| area_total_sq_mi = 14.41
| area_land_km2 = 699
| area_water_km2 =
| population_total = 752,993
| population_as_of = 2011<ref name=census2011>{{cite web|title=A6 : Population by ethnicity and district according to Divisional Secretary's Division, 2012|url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3|work=Census of Population & Housing, 2011|publisher=Department of Census & Statistics, Sri Lanka|access-date=2014-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3|archive-date=1 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_urban = 2,323,826
| population_metro = 5,648,000
| population_density_km2 = 20182
| gdp_percapita = 18,900 USD
| timezone = [[Sri Lanka Standard Time|SLST]]
| coordinates = {{coord|6|56|04|N|79|50|34|E|region:LK|display=it}}
| utc_offset = +05:30
| elevation_m = 1
| postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in Sri Lanka|Postal code]]
| postal_code = 0xxxx
| area_code = [[Telephone numbers in Sri Lanka|011]]
| website = {{URL|colombo.mc.gov.lk}}
| area_metro_km2 = 3,684
| image_flag = Flag of Colombo Municipal Council.png
}}

'''Colombo''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|l|ʌ|m|b|oʊ}} {{respell|kə|LUM|boh}};<ref>{{Cite book|title=Collins English Dictionary|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2018|isbn=978-0-008-28437-4|edition=13th|chapter=Colombo}}</ref> {{lang-si|කොළඹ|translit=Koḷam̆ba}}, {{IPA-si|ˈkoləᵐbə|IPA}}; {{lang-ta|கொழும்பு|translit=Koḻumpu}}, {{IPA-ta|koɻumbɯ|IPA}}) is the executive and judicial [[Capital city|capital]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.priu.gov.lk/Parliament/ParliamentHistory.html|title=History of Parliament of Sri Lanka, "Colombo is the Commercial Capital now".|access-date=2015-01-07|work=Official Sri Lanka government website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220234944/http://www.priu.gov.lk/Parliament/ParliamentHistory.html|archive-date=2014-12-20}}</ref> and largest city of [[Sri Lanka]] by population. According to the [[Brookings Institution]], the Colombo metropolitan area has a population of 5.6 million,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kumarage A|first1=Amal|title=Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure and Services on Urban Poverty and Land Development in Colombo, Sri Lanka|url=http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag07Vol3Iss1/Kumerage%20PDF.pdf|date=1 November 2007|publisher=Global Urban Development Volume 3 Issue 1|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051304/http://www.globalurban.org/GUDMag07Vol3Iss1/Kumerage%20PDF.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The 10 Traits of Globally Fluent Metro Areas|url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Multimedia/Interactives/2013/tentraits/Colombo.pdf|website=2013|publisher=[[Brookings Institution]]|access-date=17 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111046/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Multimedia/Interactives/2013/tentraits/Colombo.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Colombo: The Heartbeat of Sri Lanka/ Metro Colombo Urban Development Project|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/03/21/colombo-heartbeat-sri-lanka|date=21 March 2013|publisher=The World Bank|access-date=17 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412070149/http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2013/03/21/colombo-heartbeat-sri-lanka|archive-date=12 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Turning Sri Lanka's Urban Vision into Policy and Action|url=http://www.unhabitat.lk/downloads/wburbanpolicy.pdf|publisher=UN Habitat|page= 7|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044031/http://www.unhabitat.lk/downloads/wburbanpolicy.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> and 752,993<ref name=census2011/> in the [[Municipality]]. It is the financial centre of the island and a tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.propertypost.lk/blog/colombo-the-famous-business-hub-of-sri-lanka/|title=Colombo, The Famous Business Hub of Sri Lanka – Stories & Advice|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220232155/https://www.propertypost.lk/blog/colombo-the-famous-business-hub-of-sri-lanka/|archive-date=20 December 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to the [[Western Region Megapolis|Greater Colombo area]] which includes [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]], the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, and [[Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia]]. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is itself within the urban/suburban area of Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of the [[Western Province, Sri Lanka|Western Province]] and the district capital of [[Colombo District]]. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and monuments.<ref name="rweb1">{{cite web |last=Jayewarden |title=How Colombo Derived its Name |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/colombo.html |access-date=2007-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205052615/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/colombo.html |archive-date=2008-12-05 |url-status=live}}</ref>

It was made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the [[British Empire]] in 1815,<ref name="HoC">{{cite web |title=History of Colombo |url=http://www.cmc.lk/History.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202185302/http://www.cmc.lk/History.asp |archive-date=2011-12-02 |access-date=2007-03-21}}</ref> and its status as capital was retained when the nation became [[Sri Lanka Independence Struggle|independent]] in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]], Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.

==Etymology==
[[File:කොළඹ ලාංඡනය ලන්දේසි.JPG|150px|thumbnail|left|Coat of arms of Colombo from the [[Dutch Ceylon]] era, depicting a [[mango tree]]]]

The name 'Colombo', first introduced by the Portuguese in 1505, is believed to be derived from the classical [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] name {{lang|si|කොලොන් තොට}}, {{lang|ta|பெருங்குடல் துறைமுகம்}} ''Kolon thota'', meaning "port on the river [[Kelani River|Kelani]]".<ref name="so1">{{cite news |url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/15/fea15.html |title=Colombo – then and now |work=Padma Edirisinghe |publisher=The Sunday Observer |date=14 February 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930171524/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2004/02/15/fea15.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref>

Another belief is that the name is derived from the Sinhala name {{lang|si|කොල-අඹ-තොට}}, {{lang|ta|பெருங்குடல் துறைமுகம்}} ''Kola-amba-thota'' which means 'Harbour with leafy/green mango trees'.<ref name="we1">''World Executive'' [http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/sri_lanka/colombo/ Colombo Hotels and City Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302145548/http://www.worldexecutive.com/locations/asia_pacific/sri_lanka/colombo/ |date=2016-03-02 }}</ref> This coincides with [[Robert Knox (sailor)|Robert Knox]]'s history of the island while he was a prisoner in Kandy. He writes that "On the West, the City of Columbo, so-called from a Tree the Natives call Ambo, (which bears the Mango-fruit) growing in that place; but this never bear fruit, but only leaves, which in their Language is kola and thence they called the Tree Colambo: which the Christians in honour of [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]] turned to Columbo."

The author of the oldest Sinhala grammar, ''Sidatsangarava,'' written in the 13th century wrote about a category of words that exclusively belonged to early Sinhala. It lists ''naramba'' (to see) and ''kolamba'' (ford or harbour) as deriving from the indigenous [[Vedda language]]. ''Kolamba'' may also be the source of the name of the commercial capital Colombo.<ref>{{cite book |last=Indrapala |first=Karthigesu |title=The evolution of an ethnic identity: The Tamils in Sri Lanka C. 300 BCE to C. 1200 CE |publisher=Vijitha Yapa |year=2007 |location=Colombo |isbn=978-955-1266-72-1 |page=70}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Gair |first=James |title=Studies in South Asian Linguistics |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |location=[[New York City|New York]] |isbn=978-0-19-509521-0 |page=5}}</ref>

== History ==
Traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] who visited the island in the 14th century, referred to it as ''Kalanpu''.<ref>{{cite book| last = John
| first = Still| author-link = John Still
| title = Index to the Mahawansa:Together with Chronological Table of Wars and Genealogical Trees
| publisher = [[Asian Educational Services|AES]]| year = 1996
| page = 85
| isbn = 978-81-206-1203-7}}</ref> Arabs, whose prime interests were trade, began to settle in Colombo around the eighth century AD mostly because the port helped their business by the way of controlling much of the trade between the [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] kingdoms and the outside world. It was popularly believed that their descendants comprised the local [[Sri Lankan Moors|Sri Lankan Moor]] community, but their genetics is predominantly South Indian.<ref name="HoC"/><ref>{{cite web
|last = Prof. Manawadu
|first = Samitha
|title = Cultural Routes of Sri Lanka As Extensions of International Itineraries : Identification of Their Impacts on Tangible & Intangible Heritage
|page = 3
|url = http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/papers/4-30.pdf
|access-date = 2007-01-17
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160321051032/http://www.icomos.org/xian2005/papers/4-30.pdf
|archive-date = 21 March 2016
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>

===Portuguese era===
[[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorers led by Dom [[Lourenço de Almeida]] first arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505. During their initial visit they made a treaty with the King of [[Kingdom of Kotte|Kotte]], [[Parakramabahu VIII]] (1484–1518), which enabled them to trade in the island's crop of [[cinnamon]], which lay along with the coastal areas of the island, including in Colombo.<ref name="cs1"/> As part of the treaty, the Portuguese were given full authority over the coastline in exchange for the promise of guarding the coast against invaders. They were allowed to establish a [[trading post]] in Colombo.<ref name="cs1"/> Within a short time, however, they expelled the [[Sri Lankan Moors|Muslim]] inhabitants of Colombo and began to build a [[fort]] in 1517.

The Portuguese soon realised that control of Sri Lanka was necessary for the protection of their coastal establishments in India, and they began to manipulate the rulers of the Kotte kingdom to gain control of the area. After skilfully exploiting rivalries within the royal family, they took control of a large area of the kingdom and the Sinhalese King Mayadunne established a new kingdom at Sitawaka, a domain in the Kotte kingdom.<ref name="cs1"/> Before long he annexed much of the Kotte kingdom and forced the Portuguese to retreat to Colombo, which was repeatedly besieged by Mayadunne and the later kings of Sitawaka, forcing them to seek reinforcement from their major base in [[Goa]], India. Following the fall of the kingdom in 1593, the Portuguese were able to establish complete control over the coastal area, with Colombo as their capital.<ref name="cs1">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/8.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance:The Portuguese |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country Study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225344/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/8.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cs2">
{{cite book
| last =Ross
| first = Russell R.
|author2=Savada, Andrea Matles
| title = Sri Lanka: A Country Study
| publisher = Defence Dept., Army
| date = 1990
| pages = 360
| isbn = 978-0-16-024055-3}}</ref>
This part of Colombo is still known as [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]] and houses the presidential palace and the majority of Colombo's [[hotel rating|five star]] hotels. The area immediately outside Fort is known as [[Pettah, Sri Lanka|Pettah]] ({{lang-si|පිට කොටුව}},{{lang-ta|புறக் கோட்டை}} ''piṭa koṭuva'', "outer fort") and is a commercial hub.

===Dutch era===
[[File: Colombo, after Kip.jpg|thumb|left|Dutch engraving of Colombo in about 1680]]

In 1638 the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] signed a treaty with King Rajasinha II of Kandy which assured the king assistance in his war against the Portuguese in exchange for a monopoly of the island's major trade goods. The Portuguese resisted the Dutch and the Kandyans but were gradually defeated in their strongholds beginning in 1639.<ref name="cs4"/> The Dutch captured Colombo in 1656 after an epic siege, at the end of which a mere 93 Portuguese survivors were given [[Safe-conduct|safe conduct]] out of the fort. Although the Dutch (e.g., [[Rijcklof van Goens]]) initially restored the captured area back to the Sinhalese kings, they later refused to turn them over and gained control over the island's richest cinnamon lands including Colombo which then served as the capital of the Dutch maritime provinces under the control of the [[Dutch East India Company]] until 1796.<ref name="cs4">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/9.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance: The Dutch |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225414/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/9.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cs3">
{{cite book
| last =Ross
| first = Russell R.
|author2=Savada, Andrea Matles
| title = Sri Lanka: A Country Study
| publisher = Defense Dept., Army
| date = 1990
| pages = 360
| isbn = 978-0-16-024055-3 }}</ref>

===British era===

[[File:Map of Colombo (Baedeker, 1914).jpg|thumb|left|Map of Colombo, c. 1914]]

Although the British captured Colombo in 1796, it remained a [[British Armed Forces|British military]] outpost until the Kandyan Kingdom was ceded to them in 1815 and they made Colombo the capital of their newly created [[British overseas territories|crown colony]] of [[British Ceylon]]. Unlike the Portuguese and Dutch before them, whose primary use of Colombo was as a military fort, the British began constructing houses and other civilian structures around the fort, giving rise to the current City of Colombo.<ref name="HoC"/>

Initially, they placed the administration of the city under a "[[District collector|Collector]]", and John Macdowell of the [[Madras Presidency|Madras]] Service was the first to hold the office. Then, in 1833, the [[Government Agent (Sri Lanka)|Government Agent]] of the Western Province was charged with the administration of the city. Centuries of [[Colonialism|colonial rule]] had meant a decline of indigenous administration of Colombo and in 1865 the British conceived a Municipal Council as a means of training the local population in [[self-governance]]. The [[Legislative Council of Ceylon]] constituted the Colombo Municipal Council in 1865 and the Council met for the first time on 16 January 1866. At the time, the population of the region was around 80,000.<ref name="HoC"/>

During the time they were in control of Colombo, the British were responsible for much of the planning of the present city. In some parts of the city, [[tram]] car tracks and granite flooring laid during the era are still visible today.<ref name="cs3"/><ref name="cs5">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/11.htm |title=European Encroachment and Dominance: The British Replace the Dutch |access-date=2006-12-02 |work=Sri Lanka: A Country study |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005225028/http://countrystudies.us/sri-lanka/11.htm |archive-date=2006-10-05 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== After independence ===
[[File:SL Independence.jpg|thumb|The formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule at [[Independence Square, Colombo|Independence Square]].]]
This era of colonialism ended peacefully in 1948 when Ceylon gained independence from Britain.<ref name="PostI">
{{cite book | last =Adrian | first = Wijemanne | title = War and Peace in Post-Colonial Ceylon 1948–1991 | publisher = Orient Longman | date = 1996 | pages = 111 | isbn = 978-81-250-0364-9 }}</ref> Due to the tremendous impact this caused on the city's inhabitants and on the country as a whole, the changes that resulted at the end of the colonial period were drastic. An entire new culture took root. Changes in laws and customs, clothing styles, religions and [[proper names]] were a significant result of the colonial era.<ref name="PostI"/> These cultural changes were followed by the strengthening of the island's economy. Even today, the influence of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British is visible in Colombo's architecture, names, clothing, food, language and attitudes. Buildings from all three eras stand as reminders of the turbulent past of Colombo. The city and its people show an interesting mix of European clothing and lifestyles together with local customs.<ref name="PostI"/>

Historically, Colombo referred to the area around the ''[[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]'' and ''[[Pettah Market]]'' which is known for the variety of products available as well as the [[Khan Clock Tower]], a local landmark. At present, it refers to the city limits of the [[Colombo Municipal Council]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Administrative Districts of the Colombo Municipal Council |url=http://www.cmc.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=85 |publisher=Colombo Municipal Council |access-date=11 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106233608/http://www.cmc.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=85 |archive-date=6 January 2013 }}{{Circular reference|date=February 2016}}</ref> More often, the name is used for the [[Conurbation]] known as [[Greater Colombo]], which encompasses several [[Municipal council]]s including [[Kotte]], Dehiwela and Colombo.

Although Colombo lost its status as the capital of Sri Lanka in the 1980s to Sri Jayawardanapura, it continues to be the island's commercial centre. Despite the official capital of Sri Lanka moving to the adjacent Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, most countries still maintain their [[diplomatic mission]]s in Colombo.<ref name="emb1">''GoAbroad.com'', [http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/sri-lanka Embassies located in Sri Lanka] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302031441/http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/sri-lanka |date=2016-03-02 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Beira lake at Nite.jpg|thumb|400px|The [[Beira Lake]] at night]]

Colombo's geography is a mix of land and water. The city has many canals and, in the heart of the city, the {{convert|65|ha|acre|adj=on}} [[Beira Lake]].<ref name="limc">[http://www.lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1799 The lake in the middle of Colombo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019211142/http://lankalibrary.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1799 |date=2007-10-19 }}, ''Lanka Library''</ref> The lake is one of the most distinctive landmarks of Colombo and was used for centuries by colonists to defend the city.<ref name="limc"/> It remains a tourist attraction, hosting [[regattas]],<ref>''[http://archives.dailynews.lk/2003/10/25/spo03.html 35th boat race and 31st Regatta: Oarsmen of Royal and S. Thomas' clash on Beira waters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219193243/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2003/10/25/spo03.html |date=2014-02-19 }}, ''Daily News'', October 10, 2003</ref> and [[theater|theatrical events]] on its shores. The Northern and North-Eastern border of the city of Colombo is formed by the [[Kelani River]], which meets the sea in a part of the city known as the Modera (''mōdara'' in Sinhala) which means [[river delta]].

=== Climate ===
Colombo features a [[tropical monsoon climate]] (''Am'') under the [[Köppen climate classification]], falling just short of a [[tropical rainforest climate]] (''Af''). Colombo's climate is hot throughout the year. From March to April the average high temperature is around {{convert|31|C|1}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CEXX0001?from=_bottomnav_business |title=Colombo weather |access-date=2006-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005234250/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/CEXX0001?from=_bottomnav_business |archive-date=2009-10-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the [[monsoon]] seasons from April to June and September to November, when heavy rains occur. Colombo sees little relative diurnal range of temperature, although this is more marked in the drier winter months, where minimum temperatures average {{convert|22|C|1}}. Rainfall in the city averages around {{convert|2500|mm|in}} a year.<ref name=WMO/>


{{Weather box
|location = Colombo, Sri Lanka (1961–1990, extremes 1961–2012)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 35.2
|Feb record high C = 35.6
|Mar record high C = 36.1
|Apr record high C = 35.2
|May record high C = 33.2
|Jun record high C = 33.5
|Jul record high C = 32.2
|Aug record high C = 32.2
|Sep record high C = 32.5
|Oct record high C = 33.6
|Nov record high C = 34.0
|Dec record high C = 35.0
|year record high C = 36.1
|Jan high C = 31.0
|Feb high C = 31.2
|Mar high C = 31.7
|Apr high C = 31.8
|May high C = 31.1
|Jun high C = 30.4
|Jul high C = 30.0
|Aug high C = 30.0
|Sep high C = 30.2
|Oct high C = 30.0
|Nov high C = 30.2
|Dec high C = 30.4
|year high C = 30.7
|Jan mean C = 26.6
|Feb mean C = 26.9
|Mar mean C = 27.7
|Apr mean C = 28.2
|May mean C = 28.3
|Jun mean C = 27.9
|Jul mean C = 27.6
|Aug mean C = 27.6
|Sep mean C = 27.5
|Oct mean C = 27.0
|Nov mean C = 26.7
|Dec mean C = 26.6
|year mean C = 27.4
|Jan low C = 22.3
|Feb low C = 22.7
|Mar low C = 23.7
|Apr low C = 24.6
|May low C = 25.5
|Jun low C = 25.5
|Jul low C = 25.1
|Aug low C = 25.1
|Sep low C = 24.8
|Oct low C = 24.0
|Nov low C = 23.2
|Dec low C = 22.8
|year low C = 24.1
|Jan record low C = 16.4
|Feb record low C = 18.8
|Mar record low C = 17.7
|Apr record low C = 21.2
|May record low C = 20.5
|Jun record low C = 21.4
|Jul record low C = 21.4
|Aug record low C = 21.6
|Sep record low C = 21.2
|Oct record low C = 21.0
|Nov record low C = 18.6
|Dec record low C = 18.1
|year record low C = 16.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 58.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 72.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 128.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 245.6
|May precipitation mm = 392.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 184.9
|Jul precipitation mm = 121.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 119.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 245.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 365.4
|Nov precipitation mm = 414.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 175.3
|year precipitation mm =
|time day = Daytime
|Jan humidity = 69
|Feb humidity = 69
|Mar humidity = 71
|Apr humidity = 75
|May humidity = 78
|Jun humidity = 79
|Jul humidity = 78
|Aug humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 78
|Oct humidity = 78
|Nov humidity = 76
|Dec humidity = 73
|year humidity = 75
|unit precipitation days=
|Jan precipitation days = 5
|Feb precipitation days = 5
|Mar precipitation days = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 14
|May precipitation days = 16
|Jun precipitation days = 16
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 11
|Sep precipitation days = 15
|Oct precipitation days = 17
|Nov precipitation days = 15
|Dec precipitation days = 10
|year precipitation days =
|Jan sun = 248.0
|Feb sun = 246.4
|Mar sun = 275.9
|Apr sun = 234.0
|May sun = 201.5
|Jun sun = 195.0
|Jul sun = 201.5
|Aug sun = 201.5
|Sep sun = 189.0
|Oct sun = 201.5
|Nov sun = 210.0
|Dec sun = 217.0
|year sun = 2621.3
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_II/S3/43466.TXT
| title = Colombo Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = November 19, 2016}}</ref> [[World Meteorological Organization]] (precipitation only)<ref name= WMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=227
| title = World Weather Information Service – Colombo
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = November 19, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170218124526/http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=227
| archive-date = February 18, 2017
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
|source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (extremes)<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_434660_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Colombo (Kolamba) / Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = November 19, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190416113756/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_434660_kt.pdf
| archive-date = 16 April 2019
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|date=May 2012
}}

== Attractions ==
[[File:InsideSeema.jpg|thumb|The ''Seema Malakaya'' of the Gangarama Temple in the [[Beira Lake|''Beira'' Lake]] in the ''[[Company Roads]]'' area is one of many religious structures in Colombo]]
[[File:Lotus tower and Beira lake at night 2023.jpg|thumb|left|[[Lotus Tower]], The tallest building structure of the country and also the 19th tallest tower in the world]]
[[Galle Face Green]] is located in the heart of the city along the Indian Ocean coast and is a destination for tourists and residents alike. The [[Galle Face Hotel]] is a historic landmark on the southern edge of this promenade.

[[Gangaramaya Temple]] is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture.<ref name="John Keells">{{cite web|title=Gangaramaya Temple |url=http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/Colombo_GangaramayaTemple.htm |publisher=John Keells Hotels Group |access-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510172524/http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/Colombo_GangaramayaTemple.htm |archive-date=10 May 2012 }}</ref>

The [[Viharamahadevi Park]] (formerly Victoria Park) is an urban park located next to the [[National Museum of Colombo]] and the [[Town Hall, Colombo|Town Hall]]. It is the oldest and largest park in Colombo and features a large Buddha statue.

As part of the Urban Regeneration Program of the [[Government of Sri Lanka]], many old sites and buildings were revamped into modern public recreational spaces and shopping precincts. These include [[Independence Memorial Hall|Independence Memorial Hall Square]], [[Pettah Floating Market]] and [[Old Colombo Dutch Hospital|Old Dutch Hospital]], among others.

== Demographics ==
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Ethnicity in Colombo Municipality area (2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka – Population by ethnicity and district according to Divisional Secretary's Division, 2012 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |access-date=2014-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|label1 = [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]]
|value1 = 36.9
|color1 = Coral
|label2 = [[Sri Lankan Tamil]]
|value2 = 29.6
|color2 = Deeppink
|label3 = [[Sri Lankan Moor]] (Tamil speaking Muslims)
|value3 = 29.0
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka|Indian Tamil]]
|value4 = 2.2
|color4 = Pink
|label5 = Others
|value5 = 5
|color5 = Gray
}}Colombo is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural city. The population of Colombo is a mix of numerous ethnic groups, mainly [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]], [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] and [[Sri Lankan Moor]]. There are also small communities of people with [[Chinese people in Sri Lanka|Chinese]], [[Portuguese Burghers|Portuguese Burgher]], [[Dutch Burghers|Dutch Burgher]], [[Sri Lankan Malays|Malay]] and [[Indians in Sri Lanka|Indian]] origins living in the city, as well as numerous European expatriates. Colombo is the most populous city in Sri Lanka, with 642,163 people living within the city limits.<ref name="cen01">{{cite web|title=Department of Census and Statistics |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/ds_div/colombo_c.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610133839/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/census2001/population/ds_div/colombo_c.htm |archive-date=June 10, 2007}}, Additional source {{cite web|title=The case of Colombo, Sri Lanka |url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu-projects/Global_Report/pdfs/Columbo.pdf |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226203215/http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dpu-projects/Global_Report/pdfs/Columbo.pdf |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |quote=The totals are calculated through enumerations made from Colombo Divisional Secretariat and the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat, which is also part of Colombo Municipal Council.}}</ref> In 1866 the city had a population of around 80,000.<ref>[http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/LKA_Port_of_Colombo_44.php Port of Colombo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718115215/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/LKA_Port_of_Colombo_44.php |date=2011-07-18}}. World Port Source.</ref>{{Pie chart|thumb=right|label4=[[Christianity]](Roman Catholic)|value6=0.1|label6=Others|color5=DodgerBlue|value5=3.7|label5=Other Christians|color4=Blue|value4=10.8|color3=DarkOrange|caption=Religion in Colombo Municipality area (2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka – Population by divisional secretariat division, religion and sex 2012 |url=http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |access-date=2014-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101151718/http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/CPH2011/index.php?fileName=pop32&gp=Activities&tpl=3 |archive-date=1 November 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>|value3=22.6|label3=[[Hinduism]]|color2=Green|value2=31.2|label2=[[Islam]]|color1=Gold|value1=31.4|label1=[[Buddhism]]|color6=Gray}}

== Government and politics ==
[[File:Colombo Municipal Council.JPG|thumb|250px|Colombo Municipal Council]]

===Local government===

Colombo is a [[charter city]], with a [[mayor-council government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colombo Municipal Council |url=http://colombo.mc.gov.lk/colombo.php |access-date=2018-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185636/http://colombo.mc.gov.lk/colombo.php |archive-date=2018-04-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The mayor and council members are elected through local government elections held once in five years. For the past 50 years the city had been ruled by the [[United National Party]] (UNP), a [[Right-wing politics|right]] leaning party, whose business-friendly policies resonate with the population of Colombo. However, the UNP nomination list for the 2006 Municipal elections was rejected,<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/02/060216_colombo.shtml Colombo UNP list rejected] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016093710/http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/02/060216_colombo.shtml |date=2015-10-16 }}, ''BBC News'', February 16, 2006</ref> and an Independent Group supported by the UNP won the elections.<ref>[http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/05/060521_cmc_election.shtml Independent group wins CMC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016093710/http://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/05/060521_cmc_election.shtml |date=2015-10-16 }}, ''BBC News'', May 21, 2006</ref> [[Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas]] was subsequently appointed Mayor of Colombo.<ref>[http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060528/index.html Rotational mayors as Colombo gets trishaw driver as her first citizen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716163027/http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060528/index.html |date=2007-07-16 }}, ''Sunday Times'', May 28, 2006</ref>

The city government provides sewer, road and waste management services, in the case of water, electricity and telephone utility services the council liaises with the water supply and drainage board, the Ceylon electricity board and telephone service providers.

===National capital status===
Colombo was the capital of the coastal areas controlled by the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British from the 1700s to 1815 when the British gained control of the entire island following the [[Kandyan convention]]. From then until the 1980s the national capital of the island was Colombo.

During the 1980s plans were made to move the administrative capital to [[Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte]] and thus move all governmental institutions out of Colombo to make way for commercial activities. As a primary step, the [[Parliament of Sri Lanka|Parliament]] was moved to a new complex in Kotte, with several ministries and departments also relocated. However, the move was never completed.

Today, many governmental institutions still remain in Colombo. These include the [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]], [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]], [[Prime Minister's House (Colombo)|Prime Minister's House]] (Temple Trees), [[Prime Minister's Office (Colombo)|Prime Minister's Office]], the [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]], [[Central Bank of Sri Lanka]], important government ministries and departments; such as [[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)|Finance]] (Treasury), [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Defence]], Public Administration & Home affairs, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Foreign affairs]], Justice and the [[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Military headquarters]], Naval headquarters ([[SLNS Parakrama]]), Air Force headquarters ([[SLAF Colombo]]) and [[Sri Lanka Police|Police]] national and field force headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.justiceministry.gov.lk/courts%20of%20Law/THE%20SUPREME%20COURT%20OF%20SRI%20LANKA.htm |publisher=Justice Ministry |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118060405/http://www.justiceministry.gov.lk/courts%20of%20Law/THE%20SUPREME%20COURT%20OF%20SRI%20LANKA.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ministries of Sri Lanka Government |publisher=Government of Sri Lanka |url=http://www.gov.lk/public/groups.asp?xi=91&groupname=Ministries+of+Sri+Lanka+Government |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309224646/http://www.gov.lk/public/groups.asp?xi=91&groupname=Ministries+of+Sri+Lanka+Government |archive-date=March 9, 2007 }}</ref>

==Suburbs and postal codes==
{{Wide image| Colombo sunset aerial Pano (29446036634).jpg|800px|Aerial sunset view}}

=== City limits ===
[[File:Bambalapitiya.jpg|thumb|Bambalapitiya area]]
Colombo is divided into 15 numbered areas for the purposes of postal services. Within these areas are the suburbs with their corresponding post office.
[[File:ColomboMapCoolGin.png|thumb|Map of Colombo showing its administrative districts.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="width:100px;"| Postal number || City suburb
|-
| Colombo 1 || [[Fort (Colombo)|Fort]]
|-
| Colombo 2 || [[Company Roads]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prime Minister's Office, Sri Lanka |url=https://www.pmoffice.gov.lk/news.php?para=RU5vekFVR2dpQTd2VGRiMkZUNE4wSitZT3JrUnhtNEJGZHpYV1BNeDV0ZXNJaCtNSlkwS0ZONThDMytseFVZUw== |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=www.pmoffice.gov.lk}}</ref> [[Union Place]]
|-
| Colombo 3 || [[Kollupitiya]]
|-
| Colombo 4 || [[Bambalapitiya]]
|-
| Colombo 5 || [[Havelock Town]], [[Kirulapana|Kirulapone]], [[Kirilapone North|Kirulapone North]], [[Narahenpita]]
|-Narahenpita
| Colombo 6 || [[Wellawatte]], [[Pamankada]]
|-
| Colombo 7 || [[Cinnamon Gardens]]
|-
| Colombo 8 || [[Borella]]
|-
| Colombo 9 || [[Dematagoda]]
|-
| Colombo 10 || [[Maradana]], [[Panchikawatte]]
|-
| Colombo 11 || [[Pettah, Sri Lanka|Pettah]]
|-
| Colombo 12 || [[Hulftsdorp]]
|-
| Colombo 13 || [[Kotahena]], [[Bloemendhal]]
|-
| Colombo 14 || [[Grandpass]]
|-
| Colombo 15 || [[Modara|Modara/Mutwal]], [[Mattakkuliya]], [[Madampitiya]]
|}

== Economy ==
[[File:Lotus Tower Floating Market-Colombo Srilanka-Andres Larin.jpg|left|thumb|Colombo City is the hub of Sri Lanka's economic activity]]
The great majority of Sri Lankan corporations have their head offices in Colombo including [[Aitken Spence]], [[Ceylinco Consolidated|Ceylinco Corporation]], Stassen group of companies, [[John Keells Holdings]], [[Cargills (Ceylon)|Cargills]], Hemas Holdings and Akbar Brothers. Some of the industries include chemicals, textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, furniture and jewellery. In the city centre is the [[World Trade Center Colombo|World Trade Centre]]. The 40-story [[Twin Tower]] complex is the centre of important commercial establishments, in the Fort district, the city's nerve centre. Right outside the Fort area is Pettah which is derived from the Sinhala word ''pita'' which means 'out' or 'outside'.<ref name=onlineColombo>{{cite web|title=Colombo Economy|url=http://dhksy.blogspot.com/2009/01/colombo-economy.html|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024124900/http://dhksy.blogspot.com/2009/01/colombo-economy.html|archive-date=24 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Arcade Independence Square, Colombo, Sri Lanka.jpg|thumb|right|[[Arcade Independence Square]] shopping mall]]
The Colombo Metropolitan area has a GDP (PPP) of $122 billion or 40% of the GDP, making it the most important aspect of the Sri Lankan economy. {{Citation needed|date=September 2018|reason=GDP figure is unsourced. The source provided at end of the sentence (Sri Lankan Central Banks' communiqué) is outdated and does not mention the figure presented on Wikipedia, it is therefore inadequate. The latest figure I could find was 4697 Bn LKR ( approx 27Bn USD) for 2016, far from the 48Bn figure referenced by Bharatpedia. https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/press_20171130_Provincial_GDP_2016_e.pdf}}The per capita income of the Colombo Metro area stood at US$8623 and purchasing power per capita of $25,117, making it one of the most prosperous regions in South Asia.<ref name="cbsl.gov.lk">{{cite web|work=[[Central Bank of Sri Lanka|CBSL]]|date=10 July 2011|url=http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/press_20110712e.pdf|title=Press release 20010712|access-date=2 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722150529/http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/latest_news/press_20110712e.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Colombo Metropolitan (CM) area is the most important industrial, commercial and administrative centre in Sri Lanka. A major share of the country's export-oriented manufacturing takes place in the CM area, which is the engine of growth for Sri Lanka.

[[File:Colombo - Galle Face.jpg|thumb|left|[[Galle Face Green]], where many major events take place, is a favourite location for many. It is in close proximity to many of the major hotels. Formerly, it was the site of the city's racecourse, golf course and the cricket field]] The Western province contributes less than 40% to the GDP and about 80% of industrial value additions although it accounts for only 5.7% of the country's geographic area and 25% of the national population. Given its importance as the primary international gateway for Sri Lanka and as the main economic driver of the country, the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has launched an ambitious program to transform Colombo and its area into a metropolis of international standards. Bottlenecks are preventing the Colombo metropolitan area from realizing its full economic potential. To facilitate the transformation of Colombo, the government has to address these bottlenecks which have for long been obstructing economic and physical urban regeneration.<ref name=ES>{{cite web|title=Executive Summary The Colombo Metropolitan (CM) area |url=http://www.defence.lk/news/pdf/EA_ES_english.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Defence & Urban Development |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810034557/http://www.defence.lk/news/pdf/EA_ES_english.pdf |archive-date=10 August 2012 }}</ref>

Pettah is more crowded than the Fort area. Pettah's roads are always packed and [[Sidewalk|pavements]] are full of small stalls selling items from delicious [[Sharbat (beverage)|sharbat]] to [[shirt]]s. Main Street consists mostly of clothes shops and the crossroads, which are known as Cross-Streets where each of the five streets specialises in a specific business. For example, First Cross Street is mostly [[electronics|electronic]] goods shops, the Second [[cellular phones]] and fancy goods. Most of these businesses are dominated by Muslim traders. At the end of Main Street further away from Fort is Sea Street – Sri Lanka's gold market – dominated by Tamil interests. This mile-long street is full of jewellery shops,<ref name=onlineColombo /> including the former head office of [[SriLankan Airlines]].<ref>"World Airline Directory." Also ranked of the best land in the world of WWNEconomy ''[[Flight International]]''. 14–20 March 1990 [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200709.html?search= "Airlift International" 57] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809070956/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1990/1990%20-%200709.html?search= |date=2011-08-09 }}</ref>

== Law enforcement and crime ==
[[File:Supreme Court Colombo.jpg|thumb|The [[Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]] is located in Colombo]]

The [[Sri Lanka Police]], the main law enforcement agency of the island, liaise with the municipal council but is under the control of the [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Defence]] of the central government.<ref>[http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=orgstr Organizational Structure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110640/http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=orgstr |date=2007-08-27 }}, ''Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka''</ref> Policing in Colombo and its suburbs falls within the ''Metropolitan Range'' headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Metropolitan), this also includes the Colombo Crime Division.<ref>[http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/satmag1.html The drama behind the arrest of Sepala Eknayake, by Edward Gunawardena Retd. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120003933/http://www.island.lk/2008/05/31/satmag1.html |date=2011-01-20 }}. Island.lk.</ref> As with most Sri Lankan cities, the magistrate court handles felony crimes, the district court handles civil cases. 

As in other large cities around the world, Colombo experiences certain levels of [[street crime]] and [[bribery]]. Indeed, the corruption extends to the very top, US reports show. In addition, in the period from the 1980s to 2009, there have been a number of major terrorist attacks.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/convter.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2001-10-03 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011003225523/http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/convter.htm |archive-date=2001-10-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Travel Warning, United States Department of State |url=https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3011.html |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922205811/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3011.html |archive-date=September 22, 2006 }}</ref> The [[LTTE]] has been linked to most of the bombings and assassinations in the city.<ref>[http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/sentinel/sent000904_6_n.shtml Jane's Sentinel examines the success of the LTTE in resisting the Sri Lankan forces] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415225914/http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/sentinel/sent000904_6_n.shtml |date=April 15, 2009 }}{{Circular reference|date=February 2016}}</ref> [[Welikada Prison]] is situated in Colombo and it is one of the largest maximum-security prisons in the country.<ref>[http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/2/5627.html President orders SB's release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022073304/http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2006/2/5627.html |date=October 22, 2007 }}, ''LankaNewspapers.com'', February 16, 2006</ref>

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Colombo Port City seem from galle road..jpg|thumb|Colombo Galle face road at the evening ]]
Colombo has most of the amenities that a modern city has. Compared to other parts of the country, Colombo has the highest degree of infrastructure. Electricity, water and transport to street lights and phone booths are to a considerably good standard. The majority of the major shopping malls in Sri Lanka are in the city, of which all are [[Wi-Fi]] enabled. Apart from that, many luxurious hotels, clubs and restaurants are in the city. In recent times there has been an outpour of [[high-rise]] condominiums, mainly due to the very high land prices.<ref name="Lanka-houses">{{cite web|title=Colombo|url=http://lanka-houses.com/city/colombo/|publisher=lanka-houses.com|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104193949/http://lanka-houses.com/city/colombo/|archive-date=4 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Harbour===
[[File:ColomboHarbour-SriLanka02.jpg|thumb|Container handling at Colombo Port.]]
[[Port of Colombo|Colombo Harbour]] is the largest and one of the busiest [[port]]s in Sri Lanka. Colombo was established primarily as a port city during the colonial era, with an artificial harbour that has been expanded over the years. The [[Sri Lanka Navy]] maintains a [[naval base]], ''SLNS Rangalla'', within the harbour.

The Port of Colombo handled 3.75 million [[twenty-foot equivalent unit]]s in 2008, 10.6% up on 2007 (which itself was 9.7% up on 2006), bucking the global economic trend. Of those, 817,000 were local shipments with the rest transshipments. With a capacity of 5.7 million TEUs and a dredged depth of over 15 m (49 ft), the Colombo Harbour is one of the busiest ports in the world and ranks among the top 25 ports (23rd).

Colombo is part of the [[21st Century Maritime Silk Road]] that runs from the Chinese coast to the Upper Adriatic region with its rail connections to [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Eastern Europe]].<ref>[https://www.france24.com/en/20190324-sri-lanka-new-chinese-silk-road-disappointment-economy-debt-italy-france-investment In Sri Lanka, the new Chinese Silk Road is a disappointment]</ref><ref>[https://jakartaglobe.id/news/china-silk-road-project-sri-lanka-delayed-beijing-toughens-stance/ China 'Silk Road' Project in Sri Lanka Delayed as Beijing Toughens Stance]</ref><ref>Wolf D. Hartmann, Wolfgang Maennig, Run Wang: Chinas neue Seidenstraße. (2017).</ref><ref>Jean-Marc F. Blanchard "China's Maritime Silk Road Initiative and South Asia" (2018) pp 55.</ref><ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/sri-lanka-key-component-in-21st-century-maritime-silk-road-china-118072800693_1.html Sri Lanka 'key component' in 21st Century Maritime Silk Road: China]</ref>

===Transport===
==== Bus ====
Colombo has an extensive public transport system based on buses operated both by private operators and the government-owned [[Sri Lanka Transport Board|Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB)]]. The three primary bus terminals – Bastian Mawatha, Central and the Gunasinghapura Bus Terminals – are in Pettah.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hasintha Weragala, Things to do in Sri Lanka |url=https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/colombo-sri-lanka-travel-guide/#bbs2 |title=Guide map of bus terminals in Colombo |publisher=thingstodoinsrilanla.lk |date=2018-11-27 |access-date=2018-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204195236/https://www.thingstodosrilanka.com/colombo-sri-lanka-travel-guide/#bbs2 |archive-date=4 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bastian Mawatha handles long-distance services whereas Gunasinghapura and Central handle local services.

==== Rail ====
[[File:Train track on the beach in Colombo (16779050855).jpg|thumb|Commuter rail within the city]]
{{main|Sri Lanka Railways}}
Train transport [[Sri Lanka Railways#Commuter Rail|in the city]] is limited since most trains are meant for transport to and from the city rather than within it and are often overcrowded. However, the Central Bus Stand and [[Fort Railway Station (Colombo)|Fort Railway Station]] function as the island's primary hub for bus and rail transport respectively. Up until the 1970s, the city had [[tram]] services, which were discontinued. Other means of transport include [[auto rickshaws]] (commonly called "three-wheelers") and [[taxicab]]s. Three-wheelers are entirely operated by individuals and hardly regulated whilst cab services are run by private companies and are metered.

* '''[[Main Line (Sri Lanka)|Main Line]]''' – Colombo Fort to Veyangoda; onwards to [[Kandy]], [[Badulla]], [[Matale]], [[Kurunegala]], [[Anuradhapura]], [[Jaffna]], [[Kankesanturai]]. [[Trincomalee railway station|Trincomalee]], [[Batticaloa railway station|Batticaloa]], [[Talaimannar]] (presently just [[Mannar Line|Madhu Road]]).
* '''[[Coastal Line (Sri Lanka)|Coastal Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Panadura]]; onwards to [[Galle]], [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]] and Beliaththa.
* '''[[Puttalam Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Ja-Ela]]; onwards to [[Negombo]] and [[Puttalam]].
* '''[[Kelani Valley Line]]''' – Colombo to [[Avissawella]].

==== Roads ====
Post-war development in the Colombo area also involves the construction of numerous expressway grade arterial road routes. The first of these constructed is the [[Southern Expressway (Sri Lanka)|Southern Expressway]], which goes from [[Kottawa]], a southern suburb of Colombo, to [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]] City in the south of the country. Expressways constructed in the Colombo metropolitan area include the [[Colombo–Katunayake Expressway]], which was opened in October 2013 and the Colombo orbital bypass Outer Circular Highway ([[Outer Circular Highway|Arthur C. Clarke Expressway]]). The [[Colombo-Katunayake Expressway]] (E03) runs from [[Peliyagoda]], a northern suburb of Colombo, to [[Colombo International Airport]] and it is linked with one of the major commercial hubs and a major tourist destination of the country, the city of [[Negombo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/08/16/fea14.asp |title=A Speedy and safe journey to Galle |publisher=Dailynews.lk |date=2011-08-16 |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030164322/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/08/16/fea14.asp |archive-date=2013-10-30 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gamini Gunaratna, Sri Lanka News Paper by LankaPage.com (LLC) |url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Nov07_1320645974JR.php |title=Nearly half of the work completed on outer circular highway around Sri Lankan capital |publisher=Colombopage.com |date=2011-11-07 |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903220847/http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11B/Nov07_1320645974JR.php |archive-date=2013-09-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[A1 highway (Sri Lanka)|A1 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Kandy]].
* [[A2 highway (Sri Lanka)|A2 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Galle]] and [[Matara, Sri Lanka|Matara]]
* [[A3 highway (Sri Lanka)|A3 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Negombo]] and [[Puttalam]]
* [[A4 highway (Sri Lanka)|A4 highway]] connects Colombo with [[Ratnapura]] and [[Batticaloa]]

==== Ferry ====
An international ferry liner, the [[Scotia Prince]], is conducting a ferry service to [[Tuticorin]], India. Ferry services between the two countries have been revived after more than 20 years.<ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tuticorin-Colombo-ferry-sets-sail-/articleshow/8842845.cms?referral=PM Tuticorin-Colombo ferry sets sail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003062309/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tuticorin-Colombo-ferry-sets-sail-/articleshow/8842845.cms?referral=PM |date=2016-10-03 }}. Times of India. (2011-06-14).</ref>

==== Air ====
[[File:Colombo Airport Ratmalana Landside View.jpg|thumb|Ratmalana Airport]]

[[Ratmalana Airport]] is the city's airport, located {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of the city centre. It commenced operating in 1935 and was the country's first international airport until it was replaced by [[Bandaranaike Airport]] in 1967. Ratmalana Airport now primarily services domestic flights, aviation training and international corporate flights.

===Landmarks===
[[File:Colombo Skyline Jan 2022.jpg|thumb|Colombo Skyline – 2022]]
The two [[World Trade Center Colombo|World Trade Centre]] towers used to be the most recognised landmarks of the city. Before they were completed in 1997, the adjacent [[Bank of Ceylon]] tower was the tallest structure and the most prominent city landmark. Before the skyscrapers were built, the Old Parliament Building that stood in the Fort district with the [[Old Colombo Lighthouse]] close to it used to be the tallest building. Another important landmark is the [[Independence Commemoration Hall (Sri Lanka)|Independence Hall]] at Independence Square in Cinnamon Gardens.

Another landmark is St.Paul's Church [[Milagiriya]], one of the oldest [[church (building)|churches]] in Sri Lanka, first built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the British in 1848. The Cargills & Millers building in Fort is also a protected building of historical significance.

[[Cannon]]s that were once mounted on the rampart of the old fort of Colombo were laid out for observance and prestige at the Green. The colonial styled [[Galle Face Hotel]], known as Asia's Emerald on the Green since 1864, is adjacent to Galle Face Green. The hotel has played host to guests such as the [[British Royal Family]] and other [[royal family|royal]] guests and celebrities. After a stay at the hotel, [[Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg|Princess Alexandra]] of Denmark commented that "the peacefulness and generosity encountered at the [[Galle Face Hotel]] cannot be matched."<ref name="Galleface">{{cite web |title=Princess Alexandra's Visit |url=http://www.gallefacehotel.com/html_classic/the_hotel.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070413052940/http://www.gallefacehotel.com/html_classic/the_hotel.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2007}}</ref> Also facing Galle Face Green is the [[Ceylon Inter-Continental]] Hotel.

== Education ==
[[File:Royal College Colombo main building.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal College Colombo]], the oldest public school in the city.]]
Education institutions in Colombo have a long history. Colombo has many of the prominent [[Public school (UK)|public schools]] in the country, some of them government-owned and others private. Most of the prominent schools in the city date back to the 1800s when they were established during the British colonial rule,<ref>{{cite web |title=Historical Overview of Education in Sri Lanka, The British Period: (1796–1948) |url=http://www.moe.gov.lk/Education_his_1.3.html |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411221808/http://www.moe.gov.lk/Education_his_1.3.html |archive-date=April 11, 2011}}</ref> such as the [[Royal College Colombo]] established in 1835. Certain urban schools of Sri Lanka have some religious alignment; this is partly due to the influence of the British, who established Christian missionary schools.<ref name="edu">{{cite web
|last = Harsha
|first = Aturupane
|author2 = [[Paul Glewwe]]
|author3 = Wisniewski Suzanne
|title = The Impact of School Quality, Socio-Economic Factors and Child Health on Students' Academic Performance: Evidence from Sri Lankan Primary Schools
|publisher = World Bank
|location = Colombo
|date = July 2007
|url = http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/ImpactOfSchoolQuality_July2007.pdf
|access-date = 2007-07-27
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080910052950/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/ImpactOfSchoolQuality_July2007.pdf
|archive-date = 2008-09-10
|url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name="edu2">{{cite book
|last = Harsha
|first = Aturupane
|author2 = [[Paul Glewwe]]
|author3 = Wisniewski Suzanne
|title = Treasures of the Education System in Sri Lanka: Restoring Performance, Expanding Opportunities and Enhancing Prospects
|journal = World Bank Report
|publisher = World Bank
|location = Colombo
|date = February 2005
|url = http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/TreasuresInTheEducationSystem_February2005.pdf
|isbn = 978-955-8908-14-3
|access-date = 2007-07-27
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080910052953/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOUTHASIA/Resources/TreasuresInTheEducationSystem_February2005.pdf
|archive-date = 2008-09-10
|url-status = live
}}</ref> These include the [[Anglican]], [[Bishop's College (Sri Lanka)|Bishop's College]](1875); the [[Methodist]], [[Wesley College Colombo]] (1874); the [[Buddhist]], [[Ananda College]] (1886); the [[Muslim]], [[Zahira College, Colombo|Zahira College]] (1892); the [[St. Benedict's College, Colombo]] (1985), the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[St. Joseph's College, Colombo|St. Joseph's College]] (1896). The religious alignments do not affect the curriculum of the school except for the demographics of the student population.<ref name="edu" /> Colombo has many International Schools that have come up in recent years.

Higher education in the city has a long history, beginning with the establishment of the [[Colombo Medical School]] (1870), the [[Sri Lanka Law College|Colombo Law College]] (1875), the School of Agriculture (1884) and the Government Technical College (1893). The first step in the creation of a university in Colombo was taken in 1913 with the establishment of the [[University College Colombo]] which prepared students for the [[University of London External System|external examinations]] of the [[University of London]]. This was followed by the establishment of the [[University of Ceylon]] in Colombo.<ref name="cmb.ac.lk">{{cite web |title=History of the University of Colombo |url=http://www.cmb.ac.lk/about/history.htm |access-date=November 22, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014080558/http://www.cmb.ac.lk/about/history.htm |archive-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref> Today the [[University of Colombo]] and the [[University of the Visual & Performing Arts]] are state universities in the city. The [[Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology]] has a metropolitan campus in the city centre. There are several private higher education institutions in the city.

{{See also|Education in Sri Lanka}}

==Architecture==
[[File:Red Mosque.jpg|thumb|The Red Mosque]]
Colombo has widely varying architecture that spans centuries and depicts many styles. [[colonial architecture|Colonial]] buildings influenced by the [[Architecture of Portugal|Portuguese]], [[Architecture of the Netherlands|Dutch]] and [[Architecture of the United Kingdom|British]] exist alongside structures built in [[Buddhist architecture|Buddhist]], [[Hindu architecture|Hindu]], [[Islamic architecture|Islamic]], [[Architecture of India|Indian]] and [[Contemporary architecture|Contemporary]] architectural styles. No other place is this more evident than in the Fort area. Here, one may find new, towering skyscrapers as well as historic buildings dating far back as the 1700s.<ref name="oldCMB1">[http://kermeey.blogspot.com/2006/02/colombo-fort.html Colombo Fort] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222170304/http://kermeey.blogspot.com/2006/02/colombo-fort.html |date=2015-12-22 }}. Kermeey.blogspot.com (2006-02-19). Retrieved on 2011-10-17.</ref><ref name="oldCMB2">{{cite web |url=http://www.reddottours.com/46/tintagel-accommodation-profile.htm |title=Tintagel, Colombo |publisher=Reddottours.com |date=2010-01-07 |access-date=2013-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212081336/http://www.reddottours.com/46/tintagel-accommodation-profile.htm |archive-date=12 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Colombo Fort===
The Portuguese were the first colonists to settle in Colombo. Establishing a small trading post, they had laid the foundations for a small fort which in time became the largest colonial fort on the island. The Dutch expanded the fort, thus creating a well fortified harbour. This came into the possession of the British in the late 1700s, and by the late 19th century, seeing no threat to the [[Colombo Harbour]], began demolishing the ramparts to make way for the development of the city. Although now there is nothing left of the fortifications, the area which was once the fort is still referred to as Fort. The area outside is [[Pettah, Sri Lanka]] or {{lang|si|පිටකොටුව}} ''Pitakotuwa'' in Sinhala which means outer fort.<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/>
[[File:Voclogo.jpg|thumb | right | The VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) logo of [[Dutch East India Company]] on the gates of [[Wolvendaal Church]]]]

===Dutch-era buildings===

There are none of the buildings of the Portuguese era and only a few from the Dutch period. These include the oldest building in the fort area, the [[Old Colombo Dutch Hospital|former Dutch Hospital]], the Dutch House which is now the [[Colombo Dutch Museum]] and several churches. The [[President's House, Colombo|President's House]] (formerly the Queen's House) was originally the Dutch governor's house and successive British governors made it their office and residence. However, it has undergone much change since the Dutch period. Adjoining the President's House are the Gordon Gardens, now off-limits to the public.<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/><ref>[http://www.colonialvoyage.com/asia-dutch-colonial-remains-16th-18th-centuries/ Dutch Colonial Remains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221011219/http://www.colonialvoyage.com/asia-dutch-colonial-remains-16th-18th-centuries/ |date=2016-02-21 }}. Colonialvoyage.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-17.</ref>

===British-era buildings===
Much of the old buildings of the fort area and in other parts of the city date back to British times; these include governmental, commercial buildings, and private houses. Some of the notable government building of British colonial architecture includes the old Parliament building, which is now the [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]]; the [[Republic Building, Colombo|Republic Building]], which houses the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Foreign affairs]] but once housed the Ceylon Legislative council; the [[General Treasury Building]]; the old [[General Post Office, Colombo|General Post Office]], an Edwardian-style building opposite the President's House; the [[Prime Minister's Office (Colombo)|Prime Minister's Office]]; the [[Central Telegraph Office, Colombo|Central Telegraph Office]]; and the [[Old Royal College Building, Colombo|Mathematics department]] of the [[University of Colombo]] (formally the [[Royal College, Colombo]]).<ref name="cmb.ac.lk"/> Notable commercial buildings of the British era include the [[Galle Face Hotel]], Cargills and Millers' complex, and the [[Grand Oriental Hotel]].<ref name="oldCMB1"/><ref name="oldCMB2"/>
<gallery widths="250px" heights="200px" caption="">
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img25 Cargills Building.jpg|The historical Cargills & Millers building continues as the headquarters of Cargills
File:Old Parliament Building, Colombo.JPG|The [[Old Parliament Building, Colombo|Old Parliament Building]] near the Galle Face Green, now the [[Presidential Secretariat (Sri Lanka)|Presidential Secretariat]]
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img10 National Museum.jpg|The [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical style]] [[Colombo National Museum]]
</gallery>

== Culture ==
=== Annual cultural events and fairs ===
[[File:Vesak in SriLanka.jpg|thumbnail|Vesak Thorana in Colombo]]
[[File:Christmas1.JPG|thumbnail|Christmas Celebrations in Colombo]]
Colombo's most popular festival is the celebration of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]'s birth, enlightenment and death all falling on the same day.<ref name = "vesak"/> In Sinhala this is known as ''[[Vesak]]''.<ref name="vesak">{{cite web
| last = Venerable Mahinda
| title = Significance of Vesak
| publisher = www.buddhanet.net
| url = http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| access-date = 2007-02-19
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219115054/http://www.buddhanet.net/vesak.htm
| archive-date = 2007-02-19
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
During this festival, much of the city is decorated with lanterns, lights and special displays of light (known as ''thoran''). The festival falls in mid-May and lasts a week. Many Sri Lankans visit the city to see the lantern competitions and decorations. During this week people distribute, rice, drinks and other food items for free in ''dunsal'' which means charity place. These ''dunsal'' are popular amongst visitors from the suburbs.

Since there is a large number of Muslims in Colombo. Eid Ul Fitr and Eid Ul Adha are two Islamic festivals that are celebrated in Colombo. Many businesses flourish during the eventual countdown for Eid Ul Fitr which is a major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after a month-long fasting. Colombo is generally very busy on the eve of the festivals as people do their last-minute shopping.

Christmas is another major festival. Although Sri Lanka's Christians make up only just over 7% of the population, Christmas is one of the island's biggest festivals. Most streets and commercial buildings light up from the beginning of December and festive sales begin at all shopping centres and department stores. Caroling and nativity plays are frequent sights during the season.

The Sinhalese and Hindu Aluth Awurudda' is a cultural event that takes place on 13 and 14 April. This is the celebration of the Sinhalese and Hindu new year. The festivities include many events and traditions that display a great deal of Sri Lankan culture.
Several old clubs of the city give a glimpse of the British equestrian lifestyle; these include the [[Colombo Club]], [[Orient Club]], the 80 Club, and the [[Colombo Cricket Club]].

=== Performing arts ===
[[File:The landmark Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]] is a major venue for the performing arts|223x223px]]
Colombo has several [[performing arts]] centres, which are popular for their musical and theatrical performances, including the [[Lionel Wendt Art Centre|Lionel Wendt Theatre]], the Elphinstone, and Tower Hall, all of which were made for western-style productions. The [[Navarangahala]] found in the city is the country's first [[nation]]al [[theatre (structure)|theatre]] designed and built for Asian and local style musical and theatrical productions.

The [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]] is a world-class theatre that opened in December 2011.<ref name="Pokuna">{{cite news|title=Nelum Pokuna|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/15485-nelum-pokuna.html|access-date=2011-12-15|newspaper=Daily Mirror|date=2011-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107195703/http://www.dailymirror.lk/caption-story/15485-nelum-pokuna.html|archive-date=2012-01-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> Designed in the form of the Lotus Pond in [[Polonnaruwa]],<ref name="Treasure">{{cite web | last = Prins | first = Stephen | title = A National Treasure | url = http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110821/Plus/plus_01.5.html | access-date = 2010-05-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821030317/http://sundaytimes.lk/110821/Plus/plus_01.5.html | archive-date = 2011-08-21 | url-status = live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=source claims to repeat info from the theatre's website, but that info does not appear to be on theatre's website|date=February 2016}} the theatre is a major theatre destination.

=== Museums and art collections ===
The [[Colombo National Museum|National Museum of Colombo]], established on 1 January 1877 during the tenure of the British Colonial Governor [[Sir]] [[William Henry Gregory]], is in the Cinnamon Gardens area.<ref>{{cite web
| title = History of Colombo National Museum
| url = http://www.craftrevival.org/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246
| access-date = 2007-02-02
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928065022/http://www.craftrevival.org/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246
| archive-date = 28 September 2007
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The museum houses the [[crown jewels]] and throne of the last king of the kingdom of Kandy, [[Sri Vikrama Rajasinha]].<ref>{{cite web |title=History of Colombo National Museum |url=http://www.craftrevival.org/SouthAsia/detailsMuseums.asp?CountryName=SRI%20LANKA&MuseumCode=002246 |access-date=November 22, 2016 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

There is also the [[Colombo Dutch Museum]] detailing the Dutch colonial history of the country. Colombo does not boast a very big art gallery. There is a small collection of random Sri Lankan paintings at the Art Gallery in Green Path; next to it is the Natural History Museum.

=== Sports ===
[[File:Colombo Racecourse ground, Sri Lanka.jpg|thumb|right|Colombo Racecourse ground]]
One of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka is [[cricket]]. The country emerged as champions of the 1996 [[Cricket World Cup]] and became runners up in 2007 and 2011. In the [[ICC World Twenty20]] they became runners up in 2009 and 2012 and winners in 2014. The sport is played in parks, playgrounds, beaches and even in the streets. Colombo is the home for two of the country's most popular [[International structure of cricket|international cricket]] stadiums, [[Singhalese Sports Club]]'s [[Cricket Stadium]] and [[R. Premadasa Stadium]] (named after late president [[Premadasa]]). [[Colombo Stars]] represents the city in [[Lanka Premier League]].

Colombo has the distinction of being the only city in the world to have four cricket test venues in the past: [[Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Stadium]], [[Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground]], [[Colombo Cricket Club Ground]] and [[Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium]]. The [[Sugathadasa Stadium]] is an international standard stadium for [[Sport|athletics]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]] and [[football (soccer)|football]], also held the [[South Asian Games]] in 1991 and 2006. Situated in Colombo the [[Royal Colombo Golf Club]] is one of the oldest in Asia. Other sporting clubs in Colombo include [[Colombo Swimming Club]], [[Colombo Rowing Club]] and the [[Yachting Association of Sri Lanka]].

[[Rugby Union|Rugby]] is also a popular sport at the club and school levels. Colombo has its local football team [[Colombo FC]] and the sport is being developed as a part of the FIFA Goal program.

The [[Colombo Port City]] is to include a new Formula One track, constructed in the vicinity of the Colombo Harbour. According to Dr Priyath Wickrama, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, an eight-lane F1 track will "definitely" be a part of the New Port City. This would host the Sri Lankan Grand Prix.

[[Colombo Marathon]] is an internationally recognised [[marathon]] established in 1998.

=== Media ===
{{See also|Television in Sri Lanka}}

Almost all major media businesses in Sri Lanka operate from Colombo. The state media has its offices in Bullers Road and carries out regional transmissions from there. These include the [[Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation]] (SLBC), formerly known as [[Radio Ceylon]], and the [[Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation]]. The SLBC is the oldest radio station in [[South Asia]] and the second oldest in the world. Many private broadcasting companies have their offices and transmission stations in or around Colombo. As with most metro areas, radio bands are highly utilised for radio communications. Some of the prominent radio stations broadcasting in the Colombo area are [[Sirasa FM]], [[FM Derana]], [[Hiru FM]], [[Shakthi FM]], [[Vettri FM]], [[Sooriyan FM]], [[Kiss FM (Sri Lanka)|Kiss FM]], Lite FM, [[Yes FM]], [[Gold FM (Sri Lanka)|Gold FM]], Sith FM, Y FM and many more.

Television networks operating in the Colombo metro area include the state-owned television broadcasting networks which are broadcast by the Rupavahini Corporation of Sri Lanka, broadcasting television in the official languages Sinhala and Tamil. English language television is also broadcast, more targeted to the demographics of the English speaking Sri Lankans, expatriate communities and tourists. There are as well several private operators. Many of the privately run television station networks were often based upon operational expansions of pre-existing commercial radio networks and broadcast infrastructure.

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|-
!Country
!City
!State / Region
!Since
|-
| [[Nepal]]
| [[Biratnagar]]
| [[Morang District]]
| 1874
|-
| Russia
| [[Saint Petersburg]]
| N/A
| 1997
|-
| China
| [[Shanghai]]
| N/A
| 2003
|-
| United Kingdom
| [[Leeds]]
| [[West Yorkshire]]
| 2008
|-
| [[Mongolia]]
| [[Ulan Bator]]
| –
| 2012
|-
| [[Maldives]]
| [[Malé]]
| [[Kaafu Atoll]]
| 2013
|-
| [[Maldives]]
| [[Maroshi]]
| [[Shaviyani Atoll]]
| 2015
|}

==Notable people==
See [[:Category:People from Colombo]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img01 Wolvendaal Church.jpg|Colombo's colonial heritage is visible throughout the city, as in the historical [[Wolvendaal Church]], established by the Dutch in 1749
File:Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.JPG|The [[Nelum Pokuna Theatre]] at night
File:Colombo Town Hall 1.JPG|The [[Town Hall of Colombo]] at night, it is the headquarters of the [[Colombo Municipal Council]] and the office of the [[Mayor of Colombo]]
File:St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo, Sri Lanka.jpg|[[St. Lucia's Cathedral]], the seat of the [[Archbishop]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo]]
File:Beira Lake and Gangaramaya Temple.jpg|[[Beira Lake]] and southern side of the [[Gangaramaya Temple]]
File:SL Colombo asv2020-01 img22 Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.jpg|The [[Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque]] is one of the oldest Mosques in Colombo
File:AngCatSL.JPG|[[Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour]] is the seat of the Anglican [[Bishop of Colombo]]
File:CHstatue22.JPG|The statue of Sir [[Charles Henry de Soysa]] at De Soysa-Liptons Circus, is the first of a native, in Colombo.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=VNEaTmc9dS4C&pg=PP5&q=Soysa%20statue%20Ceylon Ceylon, the Land of Eternal Charm], Ali Foad Toulba (Asian Educational Services) p.237 {{ISBN|9788120614949}}</ref>
File:Viharamahadevi Park incl. Town Hall.jpg|The [[Viharamahadevi Park]], (formerly Victoria Park) is the oldest and largest park in Colombo
File:LK-colombo-uhrturm.jpg|Built in 1857, the [[Old Colombo Lighthouse]] also known as the Colombo Fort Clock Tower is the oldest clock-tower
File:20160122 Sri Lanka 3645 Colombo sRGB (25144304823).jpg|The [[BMICH]] Conference Hall
File:View of Colombo galle face.JPG|Ceylon bank headquarters and world trade center.
File:Colombo Galle Face Green.jpg|Galle face green
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Colombo Town Guard]]
* [[Mayor of Colombo|List of mayors of Colombo]]
* [[List of tallest buildings and structures in Sri Lanka]]
* [[National War Memorial, Colombo]]
* [[Place names in Sri Lanka]]
* [[South Asian capitals]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
The following books contain major components on Colombo:
* ''Changing Face of Colombo (1501–1972): Covering the Portuguese, Dutch and British Periods'', by R.L. Brohier, 1984 (Lake House, Colombo)
* ''The Port of Colombo 1860–1939'', K. Dharmasena, 1980 (Lake House, Colombo)
* ''Decolonizing Ceylon: Colonialism, Nationalism and the Politics of Space in Sri Lanka'', by Nihal Perera, 1999 ([[Oxford University Press]])
*''the Essential guide for Colombo and its region'', [[:fr:Philippe Fabry|Philippe Fabry]], Negombo, Viator Publications, 2011, 175 p., ISBN 978-955-8736-09-8
*''The impact of the Tsunami on households and vulnerable groups in two districts in Sri Lanka : Galle and Colombo,'' Swarna Jayaweera, Centre for Women's Research, Colombo, 2005
*''Patterns of Community Structure in Colombo, Sri Lanka, An investigation of Contemporary Urban Life in South Asia'', Neville S. Arachchige-Don, University Press, Maryland, 1994
*''Colombo'', Carl Muller, Penguin Books, New Delhi, 1995

{{Colombo}}
{{Suburbs of Colombo}}
{{Provincial capitals of Sri Lanka}}
{{Largest Sri Lankan cities}}
{{Municipalities and Urban areas of Sri Lanka}}

[[Category:Colombo| ]]
[[Category:Former national capitals]]
[[Category:Populated places in Western Province, Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Portuguese forts]]

Shankar Kumar Sanyal

2023-10-05T12:09:50Z

Sunkyjay: Brief description of present President of the Harijan Sevak Sangh

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
|name=Shankar Kumar Sanyal
|image=Shankar_kumar_sanyal.jpg
|caption=Shankar Kumar Sanyal
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1948|07|30}}
|birth_place=[[Howrah]], India
|death_date=
|death_place=
|other_names=
|known_for=Social activism
| module = {{Infobox officeholder
| embed = yes
| office = President, [[Harijan Sevak Sangh]]
| termstart = 24 April 2013
| termend = contd.
| termstart1 =
| termend1 =
}}
}}
'''Sankar Kumar Sanyal''' was born on 30 July 1948 in a landlords family of [[Howrah]].
==Early life and family==
His father, Late Acharya Dr. Sailendranath Sanyal was an activist of [[Quit India Movement]] of 1942
He received his Bachelor Degree in Arts in 1967, Bachelor of Laws in 1972 from [[University of Calcutta]]. His Special Academic Attainments consisted of Fellow of the [[Royal Society of Arts]] (FRSA), London for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in 1975 and a top level Management Course on 'Managing Sustainable Rural Development' (MSRD) at [[Birmingham University]], UK on Government of India Scholarship. He started his career as an [[Advocate]] of [[Calcutta High Court]] and was appointed as [[Justice of Peace]] (J.P.) in the year 1972 by Sri [[A. L. Dias]], the then Hon'ble Governor of [[West Bengal]].

On 24th May 2018, the [[Shobhit University]] conferred D.Litt. Doctorate - Honoris Causa to Sri Sanyal by the auspicious hands of Sri [[Ram Naik]], Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh for recognition of his exemplary and multifaceted works on Gandhian principles and values that sets certain goals for the youth to follow and his standards of intentions and works for the poor, the underprivileged and the marginalized section of the society has won their hearts

==Social activities==
[[File:Mother_teresa_and_shankar.jpg|thumb|Sankar Kumar Sanyal with [[Mother Teresa]] and [[Subbarao]]]]
On 24 April 2013 Sankar Kumar Sanyal was unanimously elected President of the [[Harijan Sevak Sangh]] founded by [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in 1932.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 January 2023 |title=ANNUAL REPORT 2021-2022 |url=https://www.indiaculture.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annual_Reports_Organizations/Annual_Report%2021-22_28_03_2023.pdf |archive-url= |access-date=3 March 2022 |publisher=Ministry of Culture Government of India}}</ref>
In addition to his prolific profile as an astute Gandhian and a dedicated constructive social worker, Sri Sanyal has contributed immensely to the cause of rural development. he has been serving as General Secretary of Rural Development Consortium (RDC), founded by Late Panna Lal Dasgupta, eminent revolutionary turned Gandhian leader, a pioneer networking rural development and support service training organization of Eastern India having 300 member organizations.
In 1979, Sri Sanyal took up the work of rehabilitation and uplift of the Lodhas, ex-criminal tribes, was taken up at Santigarh, Jhargram, a remote village of [[West Bengal]]

The [[Harijan Sevak Sangh]] has installed 5,31,018 improved smokeless chullahs in Birbhum, Medinipur, Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal to ensure smoke free kitchens with the help of Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
He is also associated with Akhil Bharat Prakritik Chikitsha Parishad, [[Rajghat]], [[New Delhi]], an institution promoting natural treatment of diseases and with Federation of Consumer Associations.<ref>https://www.abpcp.co.in/</ref>

==Recognitions==
#He had been the Hon'y Secretary of the West Bengal Branch of Harijan Sevak Sangh (HSS) from 1978 to 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.searchdonation.com/ngo/harijan-sevak-sangh-bengal.php|title=Harijan Sevak Sangh Bengal NGO in West Bengal, office address- 97/3, Naskarpara Road P.O. Ghusuri, Howrah - 711107 West Bengal, India 9231401818 aiwchowrah@yahoo.com|website=searchdonation.com|accessdate=5 October 2023}}</ref>

# President, Howrah Chamber of Commerce
Howrah<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://icmai.in/upload/Journal/May2017/files/basic-html/page74.html|title=Page 74 - MA - May 2017|website=icmai.in|accessdate=5 October 2023}}</ref>
# DIGITAL PHOTO LIBRARY President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in/view_datails/NzI5Mg==|title=President of India - Digital Library|website=dpl.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in|accessdate=5 October 2023}}</ref>
# President Akhil Bharatiya Prakritik Chikitsa Parishad <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abpcp.co.in/about-us/|title=About Us – Akhil Bharatiya Prakritik Chikitsa Parishad|accessdate=5 October 2023}}</ref>
#Member, Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samity, Rajghat (GSDS) – an autonomous body of Ministry of Culture, Government of India under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India.<ref>[https://gandhismriti.gov.in/ Gandhi Smriti]</ref>
#
==Honors==
#Recipient of 'National Unity Award' from Gyani Zail Singh, former President of India for outstanding services, achievements and contributions in the field of social work in 1990.
#Recipient of 'International Man of the Year - 1997-98' awarded by the Editorial Board of [[International Biographical Centre]] (IBC), Cambridge, England on 28th April 1998. The IBC is a non-political, secular organization publishing, among other works, many highly respected International Who's Who Biographical titles.<ref>[https://mohammadmohammadali.com/en/articles/NOMINATION-INTERNATIONAL-MAN-OF-THE-YEAR.pdf Nomination letter] mohammadmohammadali.com</ref>
#In January 2023, he received the Karmasathi Ma-Swapno Award.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-28 |title=Prof Sankar Kumar Sanyal gets ‘Karmasathi Ma-Swapno’ award |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/prof-sankar-kumar-sanyal-gets-karmasathi-ma-swapno-award-575558 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=[[The Business Standard]] |language=en}}</ref>
#Sri Sanyal is the recipient of a number of awards and honours : (1) 'National Unity Award' from [[Gyani Zail Singh]], former President of India in 1990<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eastkhasihills.gov.in/event/sardar-patel-national-unity-award-2022/|title=Sardar Patel National Unity Award-2022 | East Khasi Hills | India|accessdate=5 October 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Gandhians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Social workers from West Bengal]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta| ]]
[[Category:Justices of the peace| ]]
[[Category:Legal professions]]

Naʽat

2023-10-03T14:35:31Z

Sunkyjay: Poetry in praise of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad

{{Short description|Poetry in praise of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad}}
{{redirect|Naat}}
{{Muhammad}}
'''Na{{ayin}}at''' ({{lang-bn|[[wikt:নাত|নাত]]}}; [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and {{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|[[wikt:نعت|نعت]]}}}}) is [[Islamic poetry|poetry]] in praise of the Islamic prophet, [[Muhammad]]. The practice is popular in South Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan and India), commonly in [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] or [[Urdu]]. People who recite Na{{ayin}}at are known as ''Na{{ayin}}at Khawan'' or ''sana{{ayin}}a-khua{{ayin}}an''. Exclusive "Praise to Allah" and Allah alone is called [[Hamd]], not to be confused with 'Na'at'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Na{{ayin}}at Sharif ( Meaning of Na{{ayin}}at & Hamd )- Na{{ayin}}at by Sahaba-e-Ikhram|url=http://sufisaints.com/forumss/index.php?topic=642.0|website=sufisaints.com website|publisher=Sufi Saints|access-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113062202/http://sufisaints.com/forumss/index.php?topic=642.0|archive-date=13 January 2017}}</ref><ref>[https://www.definitions.net/definition/naat/ Definition of Naat on definitions.net website] Retrieved 7 December 2018</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123609/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/naat Definition of Naat in English on oxforddictionaries.com website] Retrieved 7 December 2018</ref>

In Arab countries, lyrics and praises said for Muhammad are called [[Madih nabawi]].

==History==
It is difficult to trace the history of Na{{ayin}}at khawani since no authenticated record of when it was initiated can be found. One early author, Hassan, was known as ''Shair-e Darbaar-e Risalat''. Even before accepting Islam he was a poet, but after embracing Islam he gave a new turn to his poetry and started writing Na'ats in honor of Muhammad.<ref>'URDU ZABAN MEIN NA{{ayin}}T GŪ{{ayin}}Ī KA FUN' (Literary Criticism) Book in URDU by Syed Waheed Ashraf</ref> He was famous for his poetry that defended Muhammad in response to rival poets who attacked him and his religion. Therefore, Hassan is known as the first ''sana-khawaan'' (na{{ayin}}at reciter) of that time. After that many a poet followed this trend and totally dedicated themselves towards writing of na{{ayin}}ats.

[[Talaʽ al-Badru ʽAlayna|Tala{{ayin}} al Badru {{ayin}}Alayna]], is a traditional Islamic poem known as nasheed recited to Muhammad during his completion of migration to Medina in 622 CE,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/ihame/Sec2.htm|title=Islam and Islamic History in Arabia and the Middle East|website=islamicity.com website|access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> is believed to be one of the earliest na{{ayin}}ats.

==Language==
Commonly the term ''naʽat shareef'' (exalted poetry) is reserved for poetry in the praise of Muhammad. In Arabic, na'at is usually called ''[[Madih nabawi|madih]]'' (praise) or ''[[nasheed]]'' (poetry), although the latter can describe any type of religious poetry.

==Urdu Na'at anthologies==
*''Hadaiqe Bakshish'' by [[Ahmad Raza Khan]]
*''Wasail e Bakhsish'' by [[Muhammad Ilyas Qadri]]
*''Tajalliyāt'', by [[Syed Waheed Ashraf]] First Ed.(1996), Second Ed.(2018) {{ISBN|978-93-85295-76-8}}, Maktaba Jamia Ltd, Shamshad Market, Aligarh 202002, India
*''Urdū zabān men̲ naʻt goʼī kā fann aur tajallīyāt'', 2001 ({{OCLC|50912916}}) by [[Syed Waheed Ashraf]]
*''Safeena e Bakhshish'' by [[Akhtar Raza Khan]] (Azhari Miya)

==Notable Na'at khawans==
===Na'at poets===
*[[Hassan ibn Thabit]]
*[[Meher Ali Shah|Pir Syed Meher Ali Shah]]
*[[Amir Khusro]]
*[[Mian Muhammad Bakhsh]]
*[[Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi|Ahmed Raza Khan]]
*[[Naseer-uddin-Naseer|Pir Syed Naseer-uddin-Naseer]]
*[[Mustafa Raza Khan]]
*[[Muhammad Ilyas Qadri]]
*[[Mushtaq Qadri]]
*[[Syed Waheed Ashraf]]
*[[Muzaffar Warsi]]
*[[Akhtar Raza Khan]]
*[[Muhammad Iqbal]]
*[[Behzad Lucknavi]]

===Urdu Na'at reciters===
*[[Syed Sabihuddin Rehmani]]
*[[Junaid Jamshed]]
*[[Abrar ul Haq]]
*[[Syed Fasihuddin Soharwardy]]
*[[Siddiq Ismail]]
*[[Khursheed Ahmad]]
*[[Abdul Rauf Rufi]]
*[[Qari Waheed Zafar Qasmi]]
*[[Bekal Utsahi]]
*[[Ajmal Sultanpuri]]
*[[Mushtaq Qadri]]

==See also==
*[[Hamd]]
*[[Islam in South Asia]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Religious_music}}
{{Urdu poetry}}
{{Sufism terminology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naat}}
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Muhammad]]
[[Category:Islamic worship]]
[[Category:Islamic poetry]]
[[Category:Islamic culture]]
[[Category:Urdu-language poetry]]
[[Category:Sufism]]
[[Category:Islamic music]]
[[Category:Pakistani music]]
[[Category:Bengali poetry]]
[[Category:Bengali music]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi music]]
[[Category:Performers of Islamic music| ]]
[[Category:Devotional literature]]
[[Category:Islamic terminology]]
[[Category:Islam in South Asia]]

Vaishnavi Phalke

2023-09-08T10:49:42Z

Sunkyjay: Produced a new page layout.

'''Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke''' (23 December 2003)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vaishnavi Phalke Profile |url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/players/vaishnavi-phalke-profile-5228 |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=Hockey India |language=en}}</ref> is an [[Indian people|Indian]] field hockey player and member of [[India women's national field hockey team|Indian women hockey team]]. She plays for Hockey Maharashtra in the domestic hockey tournaments. She plays as a defender.

== Early life ==
Vaishnavi hails from a farmers’ family in Satara district, Maharashtra. She learnt her basics at the Government Sports Academy in Pune.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |title=It was a memorable debut in Cape Town, says Indian women’s hockey’s newest member Vaishnavi Phalke |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/hockey/india-womens-hockey-vaishnavi-phalke-debut-cape-town-ind-vs-south-africa-netherlands/article66484981.ece |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Hockey career ==
In 2019, after a good performance at the 9th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship (A Division) at Kollam, Kerala, she was picked up for the Junior India camp. Then, she took part in the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2021, Potchefstroom, South Africa where India finished fourth. She was called for the Senior India camp in September 2022. Later, she made her senior India debut in the South Africa tour in January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Scroll |title=Hockey: Vaishanavi Phalke’s brace earns India a draw against resurgent South Africa |url=https://scroll.in/field/1042391/hockey-vaishanavi-phalkes-brace-earns-india-a-draw-against-resurgent-south-africa |access-date=2023-09-07 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> She was named as the captain of the Junior India team for the under-23 5-Nations Tournament in Dublin, Ireland in July 2022.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phalke, Vaishnavi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2003 births]]
[[Category:Indian field hockey players]]
[[Category:Indian female field hockey players]]
[[Category:Field hockey players from Maharashtra]]

Napoklu, Kodagu

2023-09-07T09:58:45Z

Sunkyjay: Just completed a fresh chapter.

{{Orphan}}

{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Use Indian English}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Napoklu
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline =
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Karnataka, India
| coordinates = {{coord|12.306988|N|75.687820|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Karnataka]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kodagu]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of taluks of Karnataka|Taluk]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Madikeri]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = Grama Panchayath
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 12.24
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 904
| population_total = 3429 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/619/download/2124/DH_2011_2922_PART_B_DCHB_KODAGU.pdf|access-date=1 September 2023|title=Census Data Handbook 2011;page 69}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kannada]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 571214
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 08272
| registration_plate = KA-12
| website =
| footnotes =
| official_name = Napoklu
| image_seal =
| image_caption =
}}
'''Napoklu''' is a village in [[Madikeri]] taluk in [[Kodagu]] district of [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. As per census survey of India 2011, the location code number of Napoklu is 617851.

Napoklu is located 21 km from its district headquarter [[Madikeri]] and 265 km from the state capital [[Bengaluru]].

==Geography==
Napoklu is located towards western half of the district. [[Kaveri River]] flows in the outskirts of the village. There are no major [[List of state highways in Karnataka|state highways]] passing through Napoklu. It has hot and wet type of climate. Major crops grown here are Paddy, Coffee and Black Pepper.

===Rainfall===
In 2018, Napoklu received an annual rainfall of {{convert|5278|mm|in}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ksndmc.org/en/Root/DownloadFile?path=%5C%5C192.168.2.21%5Ce%24%5CKSNDMC%20REPORTS%5CAnnual%20Report%5CAnnual%20State%20Report%5CAR_2018.pdf&fileName=Annual%20State%20Reports_2018.pdf|access-date=14 August 2023|title=Annual State Report 2018}}</ref>
In 2022, it received {{convert|3260|mm|in}} of annual rainfall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ksndmc.org/en/Root/DownloadFile?path=%5C%5C192.168.2.21%5Ce%24%5CKSNDMC%20REPORTS%5CAnnual%20Report%5CAnnual%20State%20Report%5CAR_2022.pdf&fileName=Annual%20State%20Reports_2022.pdf|access-date=21 June 2023|title= Annual State Report 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Villages in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Villages in Kodagu district]]
[[Category:Rainfall in Karnataka]]

Karan Verma

2023-07-13T17:34:54Z

Sunkyjay: Added page draft.

{{Short description|Indian actor (born 1991)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Karan Verma
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|10|28}}
| birth_place = Delhi, India
| alma_mater = ASRD Delhi University
| occupation = Bollywood actor
| years_active =
| notable_works = "[[Ajmer 92]]" (2023)
| parents =
| awards =
| website =
}}

'''Karan Verma'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma engages audience with his commendable acting prowess|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brand-post/karan-verma-engages-audience-with-his-commendable-acting-prowess-101628256119640.html|access-date=2023-06-19|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=India|first=Outlook|title=Actor Karan Verma To Star In Disney Hotstar' Bhuj: The Pride Of India|work=Outlook India|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/outlook-spotlight-actor-karan-verma-to-star-in-disney-hotstar-bhuj-the-pride-of-india/390639}}</ref> (born October 28, 1991) is a [[Indian people|Indian]] [[Bollywood]] [[actor]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma: Movies, TV, and Bio|url=https://www.amazon.com/prime-video/actor/Karan-Verma/amzn1.dv.gti.0e78f5c5-1869-482c-b7f7-51a962ff67a6/|access-date=2023-07-12|website=www.amazon.com}}</ref> who gained recognition through his lead debut in the film "''[[:en:Ajmer_rape_case|Ajmer 92]]'',"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma, The Next Acting Power House on OTT Platforms|url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/karan-verma-next-acting-power-085523918.html|access-date=2023-06-19|website=sg.style.yahoo.com|language=en-SG}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Making strides in acting genre, Karan Verma masters it all|url=https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/infotainment/article/making-strides-in-acting-genre-karan-verma-masters-it-all-23185994|access-date=2023-06-19|website=Mid-day|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Karan Verma|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Karan-Verma?from=mdr|access-date=2023-06-19|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Preeti|title=Ajmer 92 Release Date, Star Cast, Trailer, Plot, Makers & Update|url=https://en.janbharattimes.com/entertainment/ajmer-92-release-date-star-cast-trailer-plot-makers-updates|access-date=2023-07-12|website=JanBharat Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Karan Verma was born on October 28, 1991, in [[Delhi]], [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma Wiki Biography, Movies and Popular Albums|url=http://www.bhojpurifilmiduniya.com/2017/04/actor-producer-karan-verma.html|access-date=2023-06-19}}</ref> He is the son of Pawan Kumar Verma and Saroj Kumari Verma. After completing his studies at [[ASRD]] [[Delhi University]], Karan Verma worked in the film industry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma Height, Age, Family, Wiki, News, Videos, Discussion & More|url=https://www.indiaforums.com/person/karan-verma_8659|access-date=2023-06-19|website=India Forums|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Budding Actor Karan Verma|url=https://www.asianage.com/content/tags/budding-actor-karan-verma|access-date=2023-06-19|website=The Asian Age}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma Upcoming Movies List 2023|url=https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/celebrities/filmography/karan-verma/791|access-date=2023-06-19|website=www.bollywoodmdb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma - BollywoodMDB|url=https://www.bollywoodmdb.com/celebrities/karan-verma/791|access-date=2023-06-19|website=www.bollywoodmdb.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Karan Verma Filmography|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=1248&role=24|access-date=2023-06-19|website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

* ''[[Ajmer 92|Ajmer 92 (2023)]]''<ref>{{Citation|title=Ajmer 92|url=http://www.amctheatres.com/movies/ajmer-92-74051|language=en|access-date=2023-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Raj|first=Ashutosh|title=Ajmer 92 Movie Teaser (Karan Verma and Summit Singh bringing back tragedy of Ajmer 1992)|url=https://hindisiksa.com/ajmer-92-movie-teaser/|access-date=2023-07-12|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Exclusive! Karan Verma Upcoming Movie 'Ajmer 92' Star Cast - FilmyDude|url=https://filmydude.com/blog/karan-verma-upcoming-movie-ajmer-92/|access-date=2023-07-12|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ajmer 92 Movie (Jul 2023) - Trailer, Star Cast, Release Date {{!}} Paytm.com|url=https://paytm.com/movies/ajmer-92-movie-detail-162956|access-date=2023-07-12|website=Paytm|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ajmer 92 Movie (2023) {{!}} Release Date, Review, Cast, Trailer|url=https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/ajmer-92-movie-117797|access-date=2023-07-12|website=Gadgets 360|language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[Bhuj: The Pride of India|Bhuj: The Pride of India (2021)]]''<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{IMDb name|id=nm9960790}}
{{India-film-actor-stub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Verma, Karan}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1991 births]]

Aswin Jose

2023-07-12T05:29:32Z

Sunkyjay: Created an original article format.

{{short description|Indian film actor|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Use Indian English}}

'''Aswin Jose''' is an Indian actor and filmmaker who works predominantly in the Malayalam film industry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/gautham-vasudev-menon-ashwin-jose-johny-antony-anuragam-movie-title-rv-554294.html | title=Anuragam movie | പ്രണയത്തിന്റെ തീവ്രതയുമായി 'അനുരാഗം' എത്തുന്നു; ടൈറ്റിൽ പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്തു | date=3 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2022/apr/06/gautham-menon-ashwin-jose-to-lead-anuragam-30706.html | title=Gautham Menon, Ashwin Jose to lead Anuragam | website=[[Cinema Express]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/celebrity-news/actor-aswin-jose-share-a-cute-experience-with-mammootty/articleshow/100746729.cms|title=പെട്ടന്ന് ഇക്ക എന്റെ മുഖത്തേക്ക് നോക്കി, എല്ലാ കോൺഫിഡൻസും പോയി! ബസൂക്ക സെറ്റിൽ മമ്മൂക്കയെ കണ്ട അനുഭവം പറഞ്ഞ് അശ്വിൻ ജോസ്|website=Samayam Malayalam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/actor-aswin-jose-about-meeting-with-mammootty-on-bazooka-set-nsn-rvq5u5|title='മമ്മൂക്ക ചിരിച്ചാല്‍ ഭാഗ്യം എന്നാണ് ഭാര്യയോട് പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നത്, പക്ഷേ'; 'ബസൂക്ക' സെറ്റിലെ അനുഭവം പറഞ്ഞ് അശ്വിന്‍|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd}}</ref> Aswin made his debut in acting through Malayalam film ''[[Queen (2018 film)|Queen]]'' in 2018, he gained wider attention for his role in the same movie. The song "Nenjinakath Lalettan" and the performance of Aswin was noticeable in the movie.

After [[Queen (2018 film)|''Queen'']]'','' he acted in [[Harisree Ashokan]]'s debut directorial movie ''[[An International Local Story]]'' (2018) in a lead role. ''[[Kumbarees]]'' was his other movie got released on 23 August 2019. He made his solo lead debut wit ''[[Anuragam (2023 film)|Anuragam]]'' for which he worked as the story writer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/interview/2023/05/12/chat-with-aswin-jose.html|title=ദൈവത്തിന് കത്ത് എഴുതിയിരുന്ന ഒരാളാണ് എന്റെ ഭാവി വധു; അതും അനുരാഗം: നടൻ അശ്വിൻ അഭിമുഖം|website=ManoramaOnline}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
He married Feba Johnson on 17 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/queen-actor-ashwin-jose-ties-the-knot-with-feba-johnson/articleshow/100322905.cms?from=mdr|title='Queen' actor Ashwin Jose ties the knot with Feba Johnson|via=The Economic Times - The Times of India}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Key
| style="background:#ffc;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}
| Denotes films that have not yet been released
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
!Role
!Ref
|-
| rowspan=1| 2018 ||''[[Queen (2018 film)|Queen]]''
|Muneer
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2019 ||''[[An International Local Story]]''
|Yadhu
|
|-
|''[[Kumbarees]]''
|Shambhu
|
|-
|''[[Adhyarathri]]''
|Young Satheesh
|
|-
| rowspan=1| 2023 ||''[[Anuragam (2023 film)|Anuragam]]''
|Aswin
|Also story writer
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jose, Aswin}}
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

{{India-actor-stub}}

Onha

2023-07-11T06:47:18Z

Sunkyjay: Published a captivating reference.

{{Short description|Village in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Use Indian English}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Onha
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Uttar Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|27.04513|N|79.05342|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[India]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mainpuri district|Mainpuri]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Tehsil]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Karhal]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2011 A"/>
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 5.752
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 1992
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2011 A"/>
| demographics_type1 =
| demographics1_title1 =
| demographics1_info1 =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
'''Onha''', also spelled '''Onaha''' ([[Devanagari]]: ओनहा {{IAST|Onhā}}), is a village in [[Karhal]] block of [[Mainpuri district]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]. As of 2011, it has a population of 1,992, in 374 households.

== Demographics ==
As of 2011, Onha had a population of 1,992, in 374 households.<ref name="Census 2011 A"/>{{rp|149}} This population was 53.8% male (1,072) and 46.2% female (920). The 0-6 age group numbered 304 (153 male and 151 female), or 15.3% of the total population. 114 residents were members of Scheduled Castes, or 5.7% of the total.<ref name="Census 2011 B">{{cite web |title=Census of India 2011: Uttar Pradesh District Census Handbook - Mainpuri, Part B (Village and Town Wise Primary Census Abstract) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1259/download/4050/DH_2011_0917_PART_B_DCHB_MAINPURI.pdf |website=Census of India |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>{{rp|118-9}}

The [[1961 Census of India|1961 census]] recorded Onha (as "Aunha") as comprising 5 hamlets, with a total population of 1,174 people (613 male and 561 female), in 220 households and 181 physical houses. The area of the village was given as 1,449 acres.<ref name="Census 1961">{{cite book |title=Census 1961: District Census Handbook, Uttar Pradesh (24 - Mainpuri District) |location=Lucknow |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/28772/download/31954/22833_1961_MAI.pdf |access-date=25 December 2021}}</ref>{{rp|lviii}}

== Infrastructure ==
As of 2011, Onha had 3 primary schools; it did not have any kind of healthcare facility. Drinking water was provided by tap and hand pump; there were no public toilets. The village had no post office or public library; there was at least some access to electricity for all purposes. Streets were made of both ''[[Indian vernacular architecture#kachcha|kachcha]]'' and ''[[Indian vernacular architecture#pucca|pakka]]'' materials.<ref name="Census 2011 A">{{cite web |title=Census of India 2011: Uttar Pradesh District Census Handbook - Mainpuri, Part A (Village and Town Directory) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/1258/download/4046/DH_2011_0917_PART_A_DCHB_MAINPURI.pdf |website=Census of India |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref>{{rp|149-54}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Mainpuri district}}

[[Category:Villages in Mainpuri district]]

Ninety-second Amendment of the Constitution of India

2022-08-01T04:15:51Z

Sunkyjay: Just completed a new article.

{{Use Indian English}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Infobox legislation
|short_title = The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003
|legislature = [[Parliament of India]]
|image =
|imagesize = 150px
|imagealt =
|caption =
|long_title = An Act further to amend the Constitution of India.
|citation = ANNEXURE (A)
TEXTS OF THE CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENT ACTS
(First to Ninety-fourth)[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013036/http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/A.pdf]
|territorial_extent = [[India]]
|enacted_by = [[Lok Sabha]]
|date_passed = 22 December 2003
|enacted_by2 = [[Rajya Sabha]]
|date_passed2 = 23 December 2003
|date_assented = 7 January 2004
|date_commenced = 7 January 2004
|administered_by =
|bill = Constitution (One-hundredth Amendment) Bill, 2003
|bill_citation =
|bill_date = 18 August 2003
|introduced_by = [[L.K. Advani|Lal Krishna Advani]]
|1st_reading =
|2nd_reading =
|3rd_reading =
|conf_committee_passed =
|bill2 =
|bill_citation2 =
|bill_date2 =
|introduced_by2 =
|1st_reading2 =
|2nd_reading2 =
|3rd_reading2 =
|conf_committee_passed2 =
|date_conf_committee = 5 December 2003
|white_paper =
|committee_report = Report of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs
|amendments =
|repeals =
|related_legislation = [[Twenty-first Amendment of the Constitution of India|21st]] and [[Seventy-first Amendment of the Constitution of India|71st]] Amendments
|summary = Included [[Bodo language|Bodo]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and [[Santali language|Santali]] as [[Languages with official status in India|official languages]] by amending the [[List of official languages of India#Eighth Schedule to the Constitution|Eighth Schedule to the Constitution]]
|keywords =
|status = in force
}}

The '''Ninety-second Amendment''' of the [[Constitution of India]], officially known as '''The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003''', amended the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution so as to include [[Bodo language|Bodo]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and [[Santali language|Santali]] languages, thereby raising the total number of languages listed in the schedule to 22
. The Eighth Schedule lists languages that the [[Government of India]] has the responsibility to develop.<ref>http://lawmin.nic.in/coi/EIGHTH-SCHEDULE.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008041425/http://lawmin.nic.in/coi/EIGHTH-SCHEDULE.pdf }} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The [[List of official languages of India#Eighth Schedule to the Constitution|Eighth Schedule to the Constitution]] originally included 14 languages.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Constitution of India (1949)|url=http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/E.pdf|work=Lok Sabha Secretariat|accessdate=5 December 2013|page=1189|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013102/http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/E.pdf|archivedate=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] was included by the [[Twenty-first Amendment of the Constitution of India|21st Amendment]], enacted in 1967; and [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Meitei language|Meitei]] and [[Nepali language|Nepali]] were included by the [[Seventy-first Amendment of the Constitution of India|71st Amendment]] in 1992, raising the total number of languages to 18.

==Text==
{{blockquote|BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-fourth year of the Republic of India as follows:—
'''1. ''Short title''''' This Act may be called the Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003.

'''2. ''Amendment of Eighth Schedule''''' In the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution—
:'''(a)''' existing entry 3 shall be re-numbered as entry 5, and before entry 5 as so re-numbered, the following entries shall be inserted, namely:—
::"3. Bodo.
::4. Dogri.";

:'''(b)''' existing entries 4 to 7 shall respectively be re-numbered as entries 6 to 9;
:'''(c)''' existing entry 8 shall be re-numbered as entry 11 and before entry 11 as so re-numbered, the following entry shall be inserted, namely:—
::"10. Maithili."
:'''(d)''' existing entries 9 to 14 shall respectively be re-numbered as entries 12 to 17;
:'''(e)''' existing entry 15 shall be re-numbered as entry 19 and before entry 19 as so re-numbered, the following entry shall be inserted, namely:—
::"18. Santali."
:'''(f)''' existing entries 16 to 18 shall respectively be re-numbered as entries 20 to 22.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texts of the Constitution Amendment Acts|url=http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/A.pdf|work=Lok Sabha Secretariat|accessdate=5 December 2013|pages=672–673|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013036/http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/A.pdf|archivedate=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>}}

==Proposal and enactment==
The ''Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003'', was introduced in the [[Lok Sabha]] on 18 August 2003, as the ''Constitution (One-hundredth Amendment) Bill, 2003'' (Bill No. 63 of 2003). It was introduced by then Deputy Prime Minister [[L.K. Advani|Lal Krishna Advani]] and sought to amend the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.<ref name="Constitution Amendment in India">{{cite web|title=Constitution Amendment in India|url=http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/2.pdf|work=Lok Sabha Secretariat|accessdate=5 December 2013|pages=337–338|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013122/http://164.100.47.134/intranet/CAI/2.pdf|archivedate=3 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The full text of the Statement of Objects and Reasons appended to the bill is given below:

{{blockquote|There have been demands for inclusion of certain languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. It is proposed to include Bodo language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.

2. The Bill seeks to achieve the above object.
|L.K. Advani|{{cite web|url=http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend92.htm |title=The Constitution (One-hundredth Amendment) Bill, 2003}}}}

The bill, as introduced, was referred to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, which presented its report to the [[Rajya Sabha]], recommending that the Bill be passed in the present form. The Report was laid on the table of the Lok Sabha on 5 December 2003. The Bill was debated by the Lok Sabha on 22 December 2003 and passed on the same day, with a formal amendment changing the short title from "One-hundredth" to "Ninety-second". During the consideration of the Bill in the House, an amendment was moved by L.K. Advani to include three other languages, namely, Santali, Maithili and Dogri in the Eighth Schedule. The amendment was adopted by the House, and a newly substituted section 2 provided for inclusion of Bodo as Entry No. 3, Dogri as Entry No. 4, Maithili as Entry No. 10, Santali as Entry No. 18 and also for consequential re-numbering of the existing entries, accordingly.<ref name="Constitution Amendment in India"/> The Bill, as passed by the Lok Sabha, was considered and passed by the Rajya Sabha on 23 December 2003.<ref name="Constitution Amendment in India"/><ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web|title=Government to bring comprehensive legislation on languages|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/24/stories/2003122406841100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040829004037/http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/24/stories/2003122406841100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2004|accessdate=5 December 2013|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
{{Indian Constitution TOC}}
Speaking in the Lok Sabha on 22 December, Advani stated that the constitutional amendment to include Bodo was "in pursuance of a very valuable Memorandum of Settlement arrived at between the representatives of the Bodo community, the Government of Assam and the Government of India". A part of the settlement was that the Government of India would consider inclusion of Bodo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.<ref>http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/786004/ {{Bare URL inline}}</ref> [[Janeshwar Mishra]], [[Samajwadi Party]] Rajya Sabha MP, stated that no Indian language could flourish as long as the recognition given to English remained. Reacting to the demand for substituting [[English language|English]] with any other Indian language, Advani stated that it was necessary that both English and Hindi co-exist for the unity of the country, stating, "National unity is more important than language issue." He further stated that de-linking from English was not a good thing, as he felt that knowledge of English gave India an advantage over [[China]] in the [[Information technology in India|Information Technology sector]]. [[Laxmi Mall Singhvi]], [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] Rajya Sabha MP, stated that the legislation's intention was not to reduce the impact or acceptability of [[Hindi]] by including more languages in the Eighth Schedule.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

[[Indian National Congress|Congress]] member [[Pranab Mukherjee]], stated that while he had no objection to any language being included in the Eighth Schedule, the Government should have consulted the Standing Committee to bring "a comprehensive and well thought-out legislation". He further added that, "piecemeal legislations as this would only create rift in the country". [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] member Chandrakala Pandey named more than a dozen languages that she believed should be included in the Eighth Schedule. SP member Rama Shankar Kaushik felt that the Government needed to differentiate between "''Bhasaha aur Boli''" (language and dialect), stating, "If you cease to differentiate between language and dialect, you will end up reducing the status of Hindi as the official language and that will create tension on the basis of language." [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] chief [[Lalu Prasad Yadav]] felt that inclusion of a language or dialect in the Eighth Schedule should be done carefully and comprehensively to ensure that there was no dispute on the language medium of examinations, finding teachers, and programmes on radio and television.<ref name="thehindu1"/>

[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]] member S. Viduthalai Virumbi stated that Hindi was not a "majority language", and demanded that the official language of a State be included as official language of the country. Verumbi was interrupted by SP member [[Amar Singh (politician)|Amar Singh]], who objected to opposition to Hindi, saying, "I respect [[Tamil language|Tamil]] but to oppose Hindi is not correct."<ref name="thehindu1"/>

The bill received assent from then President [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] on 7 January 2004, and came into force on the same date.<ref name="Constitution Amendment in India"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/amendment.htm |title=The Constitution (Amendment) Acts |publisher=Constitution.org |accessdate=2013-12-05}}</ref> It was notified in ''[[The Gazette of India]]'' on 8 January 2004.<ref name="Constitution Amendment in India"/>

==Reception==
[[Adivasi]] youths celebrated the passage of the 92nd Amendment by bursting crackers and distributing sweets at various tribal-dominated areas such as Karandih, Parsudih, Kadma and [[Birsanagar]].<ref name="thetelegraph">{{cite web | title=Joy greets language victory | website=Telegraph India | date=2003-12-22 | url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/joy-greets-language-victory/cid/781935 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310074125/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/jharkhand/joy-greets-language-victory/cid/781935 | archive-date=2019-03-10 | url-status=live | access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref>

BJP Lok Sabha MP from [[Mayurbhanj district|Mayurbhanj]], [[Odisha]], [[Salkhan Murmu]] termed the day that the bill passed as historic for tribal people. Murmu further expressed that the long-cherished dreams of the tribals had been fulfilled, saying, "This is the first time that the Adivasis have got recognition". Murmu had tabled the proposal for the inclusion of the Santali language in the Eighth Schedule in the Lok Sabha. Murmu stated that he would now fight for the inclusion of other tribal languages like Ho, Kuruk and Munda in the Eighth Schedule.<ref name = "thetelegraph"/>

President of [[Jharkhand Disom Party]] (JDP) women cell Sumitra Murmu stated that the long battle which Salkhan initiated 20 years ago for the inclusion of the language in the Eighth Schedule had been won. [[Jharkhand Mukti Morcha]] chief [[Shibu Soren]] described inclusion of Santhali language as "not surprising", saying, "It was a political decision and had to happen some day."<ref name = "thetelegraph"/>

==See also==
*[[List of amendments of the Constitution of India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/786004/ Lok Sabha Debate on the Constitution (One-Hundredth Amendment) Bill, 2003]

[[Category:Amendments of the Constitution of India|92]]
[[Category:2003 in Indian law]]
[[Category:Languages of India]]

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code

2022-06-17T10:24:00Z

Sunkyjay: Constructed an original page.

#REDIRECT [[Section 377#India]]
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{{R from merge}}
{{R to section}}
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Shailender Singh

2022-05-04T06:04:21Z

Sunkyjay: Creating redirect page Shailender Singh to Shailendra Singh (singer): per sources in the article

#REDIRECT [[Shailendra Singh (singer)]]