Sri Lanka has no official national animal. People though consider the elephant, lion, and grizzled giant squirrel as such.
48. Embraces Free Education
The country offers free education from primary to university. However, free education in state universities is competitive and limited.
49. Its Largest City
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and largest city, with an estimated population of over 7.5 million residents. It’s best known for Dutch-colonial style buildings, and other historical attractions.
The Blue water Lily. Interesting Facts About Sri Lanka. Image credit – _ A Sparrow at Home
50. Has a National Flower
Sri Lanka recognizes the Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea nouchali) as its national flower. It is also the national flower of Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka – country at a glance
Independence
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
Capital City
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
(legislative)
Colombo (executive and judicial)
6°56′N 79°52′E
Largest City
Colombo
Area
total: 65,610 sq km
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
Population
23,044,123 (July 2021 est.)
Official Language
Sinhala
Tamil
Borders
India and the Maldives (maritime borders)
Currency
Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Demonym
Sri Lankan
Life expectancy
77.75 years
Literacy
92.3%
National anthem
"Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
National holiday
Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)
Government type
Unitary semi-presidential republic
President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime Minister
Ranil Wickremesinghe
Climate
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Highest point
Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation
228 m
Coastline
1,340 km
National colors
maroon, yellow
National symbol
lion, water lily
Natural resources
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land
Agricultural land
43.5% (est. 2018)
Birth rate
14.01 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate
6.45 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Industries
processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; tourism, shipping; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services, construction
Exports
$19.41 billion (2019 est.)
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish
Imports
$24.56 billion (2019 est.)
petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs
