Sri Lanka is a land of a varied sceneries. No other country can
boast of such varied natural landscapes, from breathtaking mountains to foaming waterfalls, sluggish rivers, dense forests and golden beaches with blue lagoons and waving palms along the coastline.

Facts at a glance
Country Name
Conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
former: Ceylon
Size - 65,525 sq km
Capital - Sri Jayawardenepura
Commercial Capital - Colombo
Government - Sri Lanka, is a free, independent and sovereign nation with a population of 18.774 million (1998 mid year estimates). Legislative power is exercised by a Parliament, elected by universal franchise on proportional representation basis. A President, who is also elected by the people, exercises executive power inclusive of defense. Sri Lanka enjoys a multi party system, and the people vote to elect a new government every six years.
Population - 19 million
Population density - 309 people per sq km
Life expectancy at birth -74 female, 64 male
Literacy rate - 91.8%
Languages - Sinhala & Tamil. English is widely spoken throughout
Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages.
Ethnic mix Sinhalese- 74 per cent; Tamil- 18 per cent;
Muslim -7 percent; Burgher (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonist) and others- 1 per cent
Religion - Buddhism- 70 per cent; Hinduism- 16 per cent; Christianity- 7 per cent; Islam-7 per cent
Climate - Low Lands – tropical, average 27C
Central Hills – cooler, with temperatures dropping to 14C.
The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka
has a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.
Annual per capita GNP - US$870
Currency - Sri Lanka follows decimal currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs. 2,10,20,50,100,200, 500 ,1000 and 2000. Coins are issued in values of Cts.1,2,5,10, 25 and 50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously will be the US Dollar.
Visa - Residents from countries are issued visas on arrival. Consult your local Sri Lanka embassy, consulate, tourist office or your travel agent.
Working week - Sri Lanka works a five-day week, from Monday to Friday.
Business hours - Government offices 9.00 a.m. -5.00 p.m, Monday to Friday
Banks - 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. or 3.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Post office -8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday
& 8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. on Saturday.
There are many incentives by the government in way of duty waiver and other
concessions for film makers. All governmental institutions such as the Customs, Immigration and film related authorities are very cooperative and offer support for filming in Sri Lanka. The Tourist Board and the national carrier, Srilankan Airlines actively participate in the promotion of Sri Lanka as a “Filming Destination”.
The hotels offer attractive concessions for film crews.

Pictures - Courtesy Sri Lanka Tourist Board