Sri Lanka

I

Introduction

Sri Lanka, officially Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island republic in the Indian Ocean off the south-eastern coast of India. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Lying between the two nations is a chain of tiny islands known as Adam’s Bridge. Sri Lanka is somewhat pear-shaped, with its apex in the north. The greatest length from north to south is about 440 km (273 mi); the greatest width is about 220 km (137 mi). The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq mi). The capital of Sri Lanka is the ancient city of Sri Jayavardhanapura-Kotte; Colombo is the largest city.

II

Land and Resources

An outstanding feature of the topography of Sri Lanka is a mountainous mass in the south-central part of the country, the highest point of which is the peak of Pidurutalagala (2,524 m/8,281 ft). In the upland area are two plateaux, Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, which are major centres of commercial tea plantations. The plateaux are noted for their cool, healthful climate. North of the mountains, and extending south, is an arid and gently rolling plain known as the dry zone.

Sri Lanka’s coast, particularly the west, south, and south-east, is palm-fringed and indented by lagoons and inlets. The more rugged north-eastern coast contains Trincomalee Harbour, considered one of the best natural harbours in the world. On the south-western coast other harbours include the largely artificial one at Colombo and one at Galle.

A

Rivers and Lakes

Rivers and streams that are broken by rapids are especially numerous in the mountainous south-central region. The longest river is the Mahaweli Ganga, which empties into the Indian Ocean south of Trincomalee. Other rivers include the Kelani, the mouth of which is near Colombo; the Kalu, which reaches the sea near Kalutara on the south-western coast; and the Aruvi Aru, which flows north-west across the dry zone to a point near Mannar.

B

Climate

Because Sri Lanka is situated near the equator, the climate is generally hot and humid. The hill and mountain areas, however, are cool, and the humidity is relatively lower in the dry zone. The average annual temperature is 32.2° C (90° F) in the lowlands and 21.1° C (70° F) in the higher mountainous regions.

Precipitation is characterized by wide seasonal and regional variations. The monsoon season in the south-west is from May to September, at which time the rainfall is exceptionally heavy. The hills and the lowlands of the south-western section, which is known as the wet zone, normally have some rainfall throughout the year, but peaks occur in May and June and in October and November. In the northern dry zone the main precipitation of about 1,016 mm (40 in) annually occurs during the monsoon season, which begins in December and lasts until February. Most crops in the dry zone, however, require irrigation.