Capital: Colombo (Pop:2.3m)

Population: 19 900 000 (2003)

Geography: Sri Lanka is an island situated off the southeast coast of India. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean and the Adam's Bridge chain of islands. Low-lying northern and eastern coastal plains contrast with the hills and mountains of the central and southern areas. Highest peak: Pidurutalagala (2524m / 8281ft)

Area: 65 500 sq km / 25 300 sq miles

History: Gained independence from UK in 1948

Language: Sinhala / Tamil / English

Religion: Buddhist majority, Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupees (Rs) 100 cents = Rs1
Notes: Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20, Rs10
Coins: Rs5, Rs2, Rs1, 50¢, 25¢, 10¢, 5¢, 2¢, 1¢

Time: GMT +6 hrs // CET +5hrs // EST +11hrs // PST +14hrs // JST -3hrs

Electricity: 230/240V AC 50Hz with round three-pin plugs

Telephone: Country code: + 94 (Colombo city code 01)
To call abroad from Sri Lanka: 00 + country code + telephone number
Buy phone cards at post offices and shops

Mobile telephone: GSM compatible network (900Mhz)

Internet: Internet cafes easily found

Post: Airmail to Europe/USA can take up to one week

Press: Daily English newspapers paper available: The Daily News, The Island and The Observer

More information about Sri Lanka can be found on the web:
BBC profile of SL - Lonely Planet Guide - Sri Lanka Tourist Board