1. country Know Sri Lanka, the country. Know about the country name, area, national anthem, national flower, population, population density, life expectancy at birth, literacy rate, religion, annual per capita GNP, agricultural products and industries. Learn about various facts and figures of Sri Lanka. Know Sri Lanka, the country. Know about the country name, area, national anthem, national flower, population, population density, life expectancy at birth, literacy rate, religion, annual per capita GNP, agricultural products and industries. Learn about various facts and figures of Sri Lanka.

2. Sri Lanka flag has two vertical stripes of equal size in saffron and green colors, to the left. To the right of the stripes is a gold lion passant in crimson background, with a sword in its right fore paw. Ringing the background is a yellow border, with four golden bo leaves in each corner. The flag of Sri Lanka is also known as Lion Flag. The lion symbol was used by the Lankan rulers from the time of King Vijaya. Sri Lanka flag keep the country united and integrates majority with the minority.

3. Flag of Sri Lanka was adopted in 1950. A committee appointed by the 1st Prime Minister of Sri Lanka D.S. Senanayake recommended it being adopted. Flag of Sri Lanka was adopted in 1950. A committee appointed by the 1st Prime Minister of Sri Lanka D.S. Senanayake recommended it being adopted.

4. Sinhalese and Tamil are two major languages of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese is widely used by the Sinhalese majority while Tamil is used by the Tamils. Both the languages are from different sources. Sinhalese language is derived from Indo-Aryan speech which is itself divided into two periods of evolution: (an old Indo-Aryan speech (C.2000-800 B.C.) represented by Sanskrit language used in central part of India and a middle Indo-Aryan speech (C.800 B.C-400 A.D.) represented by Pali, the language of Buddhist scripture. Tamil language relates to Dravidian family mostly spoken in the South Indian states. In the course of time both the languages have considerably influenced each other. Tamil was the main language spoken of Indian and Lankan coasts. Even the traders from other countries had adopted Tamil as their language of medium. Sinhalese and Tamil are two major languages of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese is widely used by the Sinhalese majority while Tamil is used by the Tamils. Both the languages are from different sources. Sinhalese language is derived from Indo-Aryan speech which is itself divided into two periods of evolution: (an old Indo-Aryan speech (C.2000-800 B.C.) represented by Sanskrit language used in central part of India and a middle Indo-Aryan speech (C.800 B.C-400 A.D.) represented by Pali, the language of Buddhist scripture. Tamil language relates to Dravidian family mostly spoken in the South Indian states. In the course of time both the languages have considerably influenced each other. Tamil was the main language spoken of Indian and Lankan coasts. Even the traders from other countries had adopted Tamil as their language of medium.

5. Both the language represent the national identity of two major ethnic groups. In the country, national language issue is very influential in both cultural and political spheres. Language question was a dominant political issue in the 1950s. The Sinhalese wanted the Sinhala as the sole official national language. Eventually, in 1956, the ruling coalition ascended to the demand. The law required the public servants to have proficiency in the Sinhala language within three years. Language issue snowballed to the religio-ethno-nationalism. The Tamils vehemently opposed this action of the government. Both the language represent the national identity of two major ethnic groups. In the country, national language issue is very influential in both cultural and political spheres. Language question was a dominant political issue in the 1950s. The Sinhalese wanted the Sinhala as the sole official national language. Eventually, in 1956, the ruling coalition ascended to the demand. The law required the public servants to have proficiency in the Sinhala language within three years. Language issue snowballed to the religio-ethno-nationalism. The Tamils vehemently opposed this action of the government.

6. Island of Sri Lanka is located between six and ten degrees north of equator. Obviously the average temperature is quite high. Average temperature in Sri Lanka fluctuates between 27° and 29° Celsius. As everywhere, sea-winds exert a moderating influence. Temperatures in the central mountain region are lower than normal. Nuwara Eliya, a mountain resort town, frosts on some nights in December and January. As for humidity it is till 90% at night and 70% during the night. There are four rainy periods in Sri Lanka weather. From May until September, Southwest monsoon rain. Inter-monsoon showers come in October and November, Northeast monsoon rains from December till February. Again inter-monsoon rain in March and April. For a beach holiday on the southwest coast, you must go from November until April. If you plan to visit east coast, you must visit during March to September. Island of Sri Lanka is located between six and ten degrees north of equator. Obviously the average temperature is quite high. Average temperature in Sri Lanka fluctuates between 27° and 29° Celsius. As everywhere, sea-winds exert a moderating influence. Temperatures in the central mountain region are lower than normal. Nuwara Eliya, a mountain resort town, frosts on some nights in December and January. As for humidity it is till 90% at night and 70% during the night. There are four rainy periods in Sri Lanka weather. From May until September, Southwest monsoon rain. Inter-monsoon showers come in October and November, Northeast monsoon rains from December till February. Again inter-monsoon rain in March and April. For a beach holiday on the southwest coast, you must go from November until April. If you plan to visit east coast, you must visit during March to September.

7.  Food of Sri Lanka is hot and spicy. Base food of the inhabitants of the island is rice which they consume with curry both veg and fish based. All the dishes are cooked on the base of coconut milk and flavored by liberal use of spices. Like all the people of coastal regions, the Sri Lankans are also expert in preparing fish dishes. Mallung, Sambol, Lamprais, Buriyani and Polos Pehi are some popular dishes of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans also like several juicy sweetmeats like Kavum, Halape, Thalaguli and Wattalapam. Sri Lankans also like to have drinks like tea and coffee.  Food of Sri Lanka is hot and spicy. Base food of the inhabitants of the island is rice which they consume with curry both veg and fish based. All the dishes are cooked on the base of coconut milk and flavored by liberal use of spices. Like all the people of coastal regions, the Sri Lankans are also expert in preparing fish dishes. Mallung, Sambol, Lamprais, Buriyani and Polos Pehi are some popular dishes of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans also like several juicy sweetmeats like Kavum, Halape, Thalaguli and Wattalapam. Sri Lankans also like to have drinks like tea and coffee.

8. Curry accompanies the dishes of meat, vegetables or fish. Number of spices, all roasted and then stone-ground come together to prepare these curries. Coconut milk forms the base of this curry. Fresh herbs and garnishes flavour these curries. Basic items like chicken, beef, mutton, eggs or vegetables are cooked in a thick sauce of coconut milk with all the ingredient spices. There is plenty of variety in fish curries across the region. The Sri Lankans have their own distinctive style of preparing fish curries. Southern ambul thiyal or sour fish curry is very famous. Vegetarian curries are prepared from very available fruit or vegetable like brinjals, beans, beetroot, carrot, banana flower, pumpkin etc. Curries in Sri Lanka are very hot. However, adjustments are made to suit the foreign palate. Ingredients of curries include chilli powder, fresh chillies, cinnamon, tumeric, curry powder, curry leaves, onions, garlic, ginger and coconut milk. Curry accompanies the dishes of meat, vegetables or fish. Number of spices, all roasted and then stone-ground come together to prepare these curries. Coconut milk forms the base of this curry. Fresh herbs and garnishes flavour these curries. Basic items like chicken, beef, mutton, eggs or vegetables are cooked in a thick sauce of coconut milk with all the ingredient spices. There is plenty of variety in fish curries across the region. The Sri Lankans have their own distinctive style of preparing fish curries. Southern ambul thiyal or sour fish curry is very famous. Vegetarian curries are prepared from very available fruit or vegetable like brinjals, beans, beetroot, carrot, banana flower, pumpkin etc. Curries in Sri Lanka are very hot. However, adjustments are made to suit the foreign palate. Ingredients of curries include chilli powder, fresh chillies, cinnamon, tumeric, curry powder, curry leaves, onions, garlic, ginger and coconut milk.

9. Rice is the staple food of the Sri Lankans. Almost every household in Sri Lanka takes rice and curry as its main meal. Rice too comes in plenty of variety. Samba is a pearly rice consumed on special occasions. On festivals yellow rice is cooked on the base of coconut milk and delicately flavoured by spices. Kiribath or milk- rice is a popular festive dish. Large grained milchard variety of rice gives a slightly pungent smell when cooked. Rice is the staple food of the Sri Lankans. Almost every household in Sri Lanka takes rice and curry as its main meal. Rice too comes in plenty of variety. Samba is a pearly rice consumed on special occasions. On festivals yellow rice is cooked on the base of coconut milk and delicately flavoured by spices. Kiribath or milk- rice is a popular festive dish. Large grained milchard variety of rice gives a slightly pungent smell when cooked.

10. Prepared by: Sepehrwash (Rustaqi) Class: 12/5