The Government of Sri Lanka
Overview
- Capital: Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (administrative/legislative capital)
- Administrative regions: 9 provinces, 25 districts
- Government & legal system: Unitary semi-presidential republic; mixed common law, civil law, and customary law system. (government site)
- Head of state / government: Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President (official page)
- Official language(s): Sinhala and Tamil (both official); English used as a link language
- National Day: February 4 (Independence Day, 1948)
- Independence: February 4, 1948 (from Britain)
- Other official holidays: Sinhala and Tamil New Year (mid-April), Vesak (Buddha’s birthday)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN, Commonwealth, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation/ SAARC, Non-Aligned Movement, Indian Ocean Rim Association
- Visa / entry requirements: Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) required for most visitors. (visa info)
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) — notes depict national wildlife and landmarks, including elephants, Sigiriya, and the Temple of the Tooth.
- Flag symbolism: Maroon field bordered by four gold bo leaves, with a golden lion holding a sword (representing the Sinhalese people); two vertical stripes (saffron and green) at the hoist represent the Tamil and Muslim communities.
