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| Key Numbers |
Human Development Index Ranking:
93th out of 177 countries (2005) |
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Gross national product per capita:
1160 US $/capita (2004) |
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GDP Structure (2001):
Agriculture 21 %
Industry 27 %
Services 52 % |
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Life expectancy at birth:
74 (2005) |
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Death rate amongst under 5 year olds (out of 1000):
14 for 1000 (2005) |
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| Adult literacy rate (2000-2004):
Total : 91 %
Men : 92%
Women : 89%
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| Population using improved drinking water sources (2004):
Total : 79%
Urban : 98%
Rural : 74%
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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island of 65,610 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean, 50km off the coast of India . The country gained its independence from Great Britain in 1948 under the name of Ceylan. It was renamed Sri Lanka in 1972.
The population of Sri Lanka is 19 million, of which 69% are Singhalese (the majority are Buddhist), 15% Tamil (the majority are Hindu), and 8% Maure (the majority are Muslim). The nation is also 7% Christian. The two official administrative languages are Singhalese and Tamil. However, English is used in business and education.
This ethnic diversity has been the cause of much political trouble and national tension. Initially, the Tamil tigers' objective was to create an independent state. The Jaffna peninsula had already been under their control for 5 years until they were driven out in December 1995. Today, they are present mainly in Jaffna (Northern region) and Trincomalee (Eastern). In 1983, the tension between the Singhalese majority and the Tamil separatists turned into an armed conflict. A ceasefire was established in February 2002 and negotiations are currently under way, with the help of Norway as a mediator.
Chandrika Kumaratunga is the President and head of the Sri Lankan democratic government. The president is elected every 6 years by the people. The legislative power is in the hands of a unicameral Parliament.
Since 1992, the Sri Lankan economy has been developing rapidly. GDP per capita is $873 ( United States dollars). In recent years, the annual GDP growth rate reached an average of 5% per year. Their national currency is rupees.
On December 26 th , 2004, the east coast of Sri Lanka was severely hit by a tsunami. The official toll for the country is 31,000 casualties and 15,000 injured. The disaster shattered and displaced thousands of families. The decision to start a family follow-up project for survivors of the Tsunami was made after an in-depth analysis of the post-crisis background and a study of the specific needs in the Batticaloa region.
Former project :
> Family follow-up for Tsunami victims in the Batticaloa province
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