Sri Lanka - Society

Population: 19,394,000 (2008); 15% lives in urban areas; growth 1.6% p.a. 1970–90 and 0.7% p.a. 1990–2006; birth rate (2006) 15 per 1,000 people (29 in 1970); life expectancy 75 years (43 in 1946 and 64 in 1970).

The largest ethnic group is Sinhalese (74%), followed by Sri Lankan Tamils (12%), Indian Tamils (5%), Muslims (7%), minorities of Malays and Burghers (persons of Dutch or partly Dutch descent) and a small number of Veddhas, descended from the earliest inhabitants. Sinhalese settlers arrived in the 5th and 6th centuries BC.

Sri Lankan Tamils settled mainly from the 10th century onwards. Indian Tamils arrived later, brought in by the British in the 19th century as labour for the plantations. Some Indian Tamils were repatriated from 1964, and since 1988 all remaining Indian Tamils have attained Sri Lankan citizenship. The Muslims are mostly descendants of Arab traders, and the Burghers descendants of European settlers of the 17th century onwards.

Religion: Buddhists 70%, Hindus 15%, Christians 8% and Muslims 7%.
Language: The official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. English is used in commerce and government and very widely understood.

Media: The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) is the state-owned network which operates two TV channels: Rupavahini and Channel Eye. There are also many private stations, including the Sinhala Sirasa TV and the Tamil Shakthi TV. Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) is the state-run radio network which operates services in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

There are several daily newspapers in Sinhala, Tamil and English including the state-owned Daily News, and the independent Daily Mirror and The Island, plus several weeklies including The Sunday Times and the state-owned Sunday Observer.

Sri Lanka’s privately owned press and broadcasters are free to engage in political debate.

There are 125 TV sets (2003), 27 personal computers (2004) and 40 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: There are nine years of compulsory education starting at age five. The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 23:1 and for secondary 20:1 (2003/04). The school year starts in January. Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 2.4% (2006).

Higher education is provided for by the country’s many universities and technical colleges. The most prominent universities include the University of Colombo; the University of Kelaniya; the University of Peradeniya; and the Open University of Sri Lanka which provides courses through distance learning. There are various technical colleges offering courses up to diploma level in the areas of engineering, business and commerce.

Health: Both Western and Ayurvedic (traditional) medicine are practised, though most doctors practise Western medicine. A free health service is available, with hospitals and clinics countrywide, supplemented by several private hospitals and clinics in Colombo. 82% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 86% of people have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 11 per 1,000 live births in 2006 (83 in 1960). Over 90% of children are born in hospital. Family planning is common, with about 68% of married women practising contraception. Polio has been eradicated, but malaria remains a problem.

Communications: Country code 94. Mobile phone coverage is average and roaming agreements exist with some international providers. Internet cafes can be found in main towns and resorts. Postal services are good; the main post office in Colombo is open 24 hours.

There are 142 main telephone lines and 414 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: Independence Day (4 February), Sinhala and Tamil New Year (mid-April, two days), Labour Day (1 May) and Christmas Day.

Religious and other festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Tamil Thai Pongal Day (mid-January), Prophet’s Birthday, Good Friday, Vesak Poya Days (two days generally in May) and Deepavali (Diwali, October/November). There is a Buddhist Poya holiday each month on the day of the full moon. With the exception of the Vesak Poya Days, when Poya Days fall at the weekend they are nonetheless observed on the full moon day. Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) are observed only by Muslims, and Mahasivarathri only by Hindus.