ARCHIVE // LK // 2012
Sri Lanka
2012 Edition — sovereign
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
government operates 8 TV channels and a radio network; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 35 private TV stations and about 50 radio stations (2012)
Internet country code
[time series]
.lk
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
9,552 (2012) country comparison to the world: 136
Internet users
[time series]
1.777 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 77
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
3.608 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 44
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
18.319 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 49
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, vegetables, fruit, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef; fish
Budget
[time series]
revenues: $8.234 billion expenditures: $12.39 billion (2012 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
[time series]
-6.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Central bank discount rate
[time series]
7.5% (19 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 7% (31 December 2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
[time series]
11.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 9.41% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
[time series]
-$4.737 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 -$4.638 billion (2011 est.)
Debt - external
[time series]
$22.82 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $22.66 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
(Distribution of family income - Gini index)
[time series]
49 (2010) country comparison to the world: 25 46 (1995)
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Sri Lanka continues to experience strong economic growth following the end of the 26-year conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ellam (LTTE). The government has been pursuing large-scale reconstruction and development projects supplemented with private investment in its efforts to spur growth in war-torn and disadvantaged areas, develop small and medium enterprises and increase agricultural productivity. The government's high debt payments and bloated civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits, but economic reforms in recent years in line with IMF recommendations have helped bring down the government's fiscal deficit. The 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession exposed Sri Lanka's economic vulnerabilities and nearly caused a balance of payments crisis. Growth slowed to 3.5% in 2009. Economic activity rebounded strongly with the end of the war and an IMF agreement, resulting in three straight years of high growth in 2010-12. Per capita income of $6,100 on a purchasing power parity basis is among the highest in the region.
Exchange rates
[time series]
Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar - 127.3 (2012 est.) 110.57 (2011 est.) 113.06 (2010 est.) 114.95 (2009) 108.33 (2008)
Exports
[time series]
$10.51 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $10.54 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
[time series]
textiles and apparel, tea and spices; rubber manufactures; precious stones; coconut products, fish
Exports - partners
[time series]
US 19.8%, UK 9.2%, India 6.5%, Italy 5%, Germany 5%, Belgium 4.4% (2011)
Fiscal year
[time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$59.77 billion (2012 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$126.2 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $118.2 billion (2011 est.) $109.2 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 12% industry: 30.1% services: 57.9% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$6,100 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $5,800 (2011 est.) $5,400 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
6.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 8.3% (2011 est.) 7.8% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 36.8% (2009)
Imports
[time series]
$19.76 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $20.27 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
[time series]
petroleum, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment, building materials, mineral products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners
[time series]
India 25.6%, China 15.9%, Singapore 7.1%, Iran 6.2%, Japan 5% (2011)
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
8.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
9.5% (November 2012) country comparison to the world: 196 7% (2011 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
[time series]
27.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Labor force
[time series]
8.194 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 31.8% industry: 25.8% services: 42.4% (June 2012)
Market value of publicly traded shares
[time series]
$19.44 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 64 $19.92 billion (31 December 2010) $8.133 billion (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
8.9% (2010 est.)
Public debt
[time series]
79% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 79% of GDP (2011 est.) note: covers central government debt, and excludes debt instruments directly owned by government entities other than the treasury (e.g. commercial bank borrowings of a government corporation); the data includes treasury debt held by foreign entities as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement; sub-national entities are usually not permitted to sell debt instruments
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
[time series]
$7.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $7.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
[time series]
$21.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $18.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
[time series]
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
[time series]
$NA
Stock of domestic credit
[time series]
$24.42 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $24.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
[time series]
$3.834 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $3.852 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
[time series]
13.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Unemployment rate
[time series]
5.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 4.2% (2011 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions
(Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy)
[time series]
14.09 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Crude oil - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
Crude oil - imports
[time series]
41,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Crude oil - production
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - proved reserves
[time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
9.268 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - from fossil fuels
[time series]
47.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
[time series]
52.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
[time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - from other renewable sources
[time series]
0.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - installed generating capacity
[time series]
3.088 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - production
[time series]
10.71 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Natural gas - consumption
[time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - exports
[time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - imports
[time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Natural gas - production
[time series]
0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Natural gas - proved reserves
[time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Refined petroleum products - consumption
[time series]
89,620 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Refined petroleum products - exports
[time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Refined petroleum products - imports
[time series]
48,140 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Refined petroleum products - production
[time series]
50,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 65,610 sq km country comparison to the world: 122 land: 64,630 sq km water: 980 sq km
Area - comparative
[time series]
slightly larger than West Virginia
Climate
[time series]
tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Coastline
[time series]
1,340 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Total water withdrawal
(Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural))
[time series]
total: 12.61 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 608 cu m/yr (2000)
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
7 00 N, 81 00 E
Geography - note
[time series]
strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes
Irrigated land
[time series]
5,700 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 13.96% permanent crops: 15.24% other: 70.8% (2005)
Location
[time series]
Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Map references
[time series]
Asia
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Natural hazards
[time series]
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Natural resources
[time series]
limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower
Terrain
[time series]
mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Total renewable water resources
[time series]
50 cu km (1999)
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Capital
[time series]
name: Colombo geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 79 50 E time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
Constitution
[time series]
adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978; amended 20 December 2001
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka conventional short form: Sri Lanka local long form: Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya/Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu local short form: Shri Lanka/Ilankai former: Serendib, Ceylon
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3 mailing address: P. O. Box 106, Colombo telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaliya Chitran WICKRAMASURIYA chancery: 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Dissanayake Mudiyanselage JAYARATNE holds the largely ceremonial title of prime minister (since 21 April 2010) head of government: President Mahinda Percy RAJAPAKSA (since 19 November 2005) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term, eligible for a second term; election last held on 26 January 2010 (next to be held in 2016) election results: Mahinda RAJAPAKSA reelected president for second term; percent of vote - Mahinda RAJAPAKSA 57.88%, Sarath FONSEKA 40.15%, other 1.97%
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a dark red rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green the Sri Lankan Moors; dark red represents the European Burghers, but also refers to the rich colonial background of the country; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag
Government type
[time series]
republic
Independence
[time series]
4 February 1948 (from the UK)
International law organization participation
[time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
International organization participation
[time series]
ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Supreme Court; Court of Appeals; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Legal system
[time series]
mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and Jaffna Tamil customary law
Legislative branch
[time series]
unicameral Parliament (225 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of an open-list, proportional representation system by electoral district to serve six-year terms) elections: last held on 8 April 2010 with a repoll in two electorates held on 20 April 2010 (next to be held by April 2016) election results: percent of vote by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 60.93%, United National Party 29.34%, Democratic National Alliance 5.49%, Tamil National Alliance 2.9%, other 1.94%; seats by alliance or party - United People's Freedom Alliance 144, United National Party 60, Tamil National Alliance 14, Democratic National Alliance 7
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka) lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE note: adopted 1951
National holiday
[time series]
Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
National symbol(s)
[time series]
lion
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
Coalitions and leaders: Democratic National Alliance, led by General (Retired) Sarath FONSEKA; Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Somawansa AMARASINGHE]; Tamil National Alliance led by Illandai Tamil Arasu Kachchi [R. SAMPANTHAN]; United National Front led by United National Party [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE]; United People's Freedom Alliance led by Sri Lanka Freedom Party [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or LTTE [P. SIVAPARAN, Chief of International Secretariat; V. RUDRAKUMARAN, legal advisor]; note - this insurgent group suffered military defeat in May 2009; some cadres remain scattered throughout country, but there have not been any incidents in Sri Lanka since May 2009 other: Buddhist clergy; labor unions; hard-line nationalist Sinhalese groups such as the National Movement Against Terrorism; Sinhalese Buddhist lay groups
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century B.C., and a great civilization developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the island were controlled by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in 1983. After two decades of fighting, the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formalized a cease-fire in February 2002 with Norway brokering peace negotiations. Violence between the LTTE and government forces intensified in 2006, but the government regained control of the Eastern Province in 2007. By May 2009, the government announced that its military had defeated the remnants of the LTTE. Since the end of the conflict, the government has enacted an ambitious program of economic development projects, many of which are financed by loans from the Government of China. In addition to efforts to reconstruct its economy, the government has resettled more than 95% of those civilians who were displaced during the final phase of the conflict and released the vast majority of former LTTE combatants captured by Government Security Forces. At the same time, there has been little progress on more contentious and politically difficult issues such as reaching a political settlement with Tamil elected representatives and holding accountable those alleged to have been involved in human rights violations at the end of the war.
Military
Manpower available for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 5,342,147 females age 16-49: 5,466,409 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 4,177,432 females age 16-49: 4,574,833 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 167,026 female: 162,587 (2010 est.)
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force (2010)
Military expenditures
[time series]
2.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 57
Military service age and obligation
[time series]
18-22 years of age for voluntary military service; 5-year service obligation (Air Force) (2012)
People and Society
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 24.9% (male 2,723,657/ female 2,615,425) 15-64 years: 67% (male 7,041,566/ female 7,358,891) 65 years and over: 8.1% (male 747,433/ female 994,362) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
17.04 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
[time series]
21.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 30
Death rate
[time series]
5.96 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
NA
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
less than 0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
fewer than 200 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
2,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Health expenditure
(Health expenditures)
[time series]
4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 162
Hospital bed density
[time series]
3.1 beds/1,000 population (2004)
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 9.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 147 male: 10.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Languages
[time series]
Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% note: English, spoken competently by about 10% of the population, is commonly used in government and is referred to as the link language in the constitution
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 75.94 years country comparison to the world: 83 male: 72.43 years female: 79.59 years (2012 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.2% male: 92.6% female: 90% (2010 census)
Major urban areas - population
(Major cities - population)
[time series]
COLOMBO (capital) 681,000 (2009)
Major infectious diseases
[time series]
degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne disease: dengue fever and chikungunya water contact disease: leptospirosis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Maternal mortality ratio
(Maternal mortality rate)
[time series]
35 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 117
Median age
[time series]
total: 31.1 years male: 30.1 years female: 32.2 years (2012 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Sri Lankan(s) adjective: Sri Lankan
Net migration rate
[time series]
-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Physician density
(Physicians density)
[time series]
0.492 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Population
[time series]
21,481,334 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Population growth rate
[time series]
0.913% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Religions
[time series]
Buddhist (official) 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census provisional data)
Sanitation facility access
[time series]
improved: urban: 88% of population rural: 92% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 12% of population rural: 8% of population total: 9% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
[time series]
total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2004)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
2.17 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
(Unemployment, youth ages 15-24)
[time series]
total: 21.3% country comparison to the world: 49 male: 17.1% female: 27.9% (2009)
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 14% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons
[time series]
IDPs: at least 115,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 470,000 IDPs registered as returnees had not reached durable solutions as of September 2012)
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
18 (2012) country comparison to the world: 140
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways
[time series]
total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2012)
Heliports
[time series]
1 (2012)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 21 country comparison to the world: 94 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 13, chemical tanker 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 8 (Germany 8) (2010)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
Colombo
Railways
[time series]
total: 1,449 km country comparison to the world: 80 broad gauge: 1,449 km 1.676-m gauge (2007)
Roadways
[time series]
total: 91,907 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 49
Waterways
[time series]
160 km (primarily on rivers in southwest) (2012) country comparison to the world: 101