Sri Lanka

Area: 65,525 sq km (25,299 sq miles).

Population: 19,007,000 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density: 286 per sq km.

Capital: Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (official). Population: 115,826 (2001). Colombo (commercial). Population: 642,020 (2001). Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is only 10km (6 miles) from Colombo.

GEOGRAPHY: Sri Lanka is an island off the southeast coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which lies the chain of islands called Adam’s Bridge. Sri Lanka has an irregular surface with low-lying coastal plains running inland from the northern and eastern shores. The central and southern areas slope into hills and mountains. The highest peak is Pidurutalagala (2524m/8281ft).

Government: Democratic Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948. Head of State: President Mahinda Rajapakse since November 2005. Head of Government: Prime Minister to be confirmed following November 2005 presidential elections, in which the former Prime Minister was elected president.

Language: Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Religion: Buddhist majority (70 per cent), with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities.

Time: GMT + 6.

Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp fittings.