Moving to Sri Lanka: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

22,889,201

Population Growth Rate

0.89%

Urban Population

15.100000

Population in Major Urban Areas

COLOMBO (capital) 693,000; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) 126,000

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Age Structure

24.350000

Median Age

31.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

17

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

6.01

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.15

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

68%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

68%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

22.6

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.040000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-1.74

Ethnic Groups

Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%

Nationality Noun

Sri Lankan(s)

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Literacy - total population

90.7%

Literacy - male

94.8%

Literacy - female

90%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

1.7%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

14.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

76.150000

Infant Mortality Rate

9.240000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

9.240000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

35

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.49

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.1

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.4%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.1%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.100000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

82.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

21.6%

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Economic Overview

Sri Lanka's economy faces significant challenges, including a high external debt burden, a trade deficit, fiscal imbalances, and currency depreciation.

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened these issues by disrupting global supply chains and tourism revenues.

Political instability and governance problems have hindered economic reforms.

As a result, Sri Lanka grapples with high inflation, reduced foreign exchange reserves, and slowing GDP growth.

The government is seeking assistance from international organizations like the IMF, implementing fiscal consolidation measures, and aiming to attract foreign investment.

These challenges have led to rising unemployment, inflation, and disruptions in essential services, causing frustration among the population.

Key priorities for recovery include fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and exchange rate stability.

Industries

rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

5.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$274,800,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$11,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

5.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$79,520,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 67.6% government
• consumption: 13.5% investment in fixed
• capital: 28.4% investment in
• inventories: -0.9% exports of goods and
• services: 21.2% imports of goods and
• services: -29.8%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

8.1%

GDP by Sector- Industry

29.1%

GDP by Sector- services

62.8%

Industrial Growth Rate

6.9%

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Inflation Rate

5.6%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Currency Name and Code

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

9.88%

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Labor Force

8,100,000

Unemployment Rate

5.4%

Major Industries

rubber processing, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco

Agriculture Products

rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts; milk, eggs, hides, beef

Population Below Poverty Line

23%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

31.8%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

25.8%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

42.4%

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Annual Budget

$7,415,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

98.5%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-6.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

12.9%

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Full Country Name

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Country Name

Sri Lanka

Local - Long

Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala)/ Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu (Tamil)

Local - Short

Shri Lanka (Sinhala)/ Ilankai (Tamil)

Former Name

Serendib, Ceylon

Etymology- history of name

the name means "resplendent island" in Sanskrit

Independence

4 February 1948 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978
• amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2020

Legal System:

mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Harini AMARASURIYA (since 24 September 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister election/appointment
• process: president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election
• date: 21 September 2024
• election results: 2024: Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE elected president; percent of vote after reallocation - Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (JVP) 55.9%, Sajith PREMADASA (SJB) 44.1% 2022: Ranil WICKREMESINGHE elected president by Parliament on 20 July 2022; Parliament vote - WICKREMESINGHE (UNP) 134, Dullas ALAHAPPERUMA (SLPP) 82 expected date of next
• election: 2029

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat district constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats, referred to as the "national list" are allocated by each party secretary according to the island wide proportional vote the party obtains; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 5 August 2020 (next to be held in August 2025)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party/coalition - SLFPA 59.1%, SJB 23.9%, JVP 3.8%, TNA 2.8%, UNP 2.2%, TNPF 0.6%, EPDP 0.5%, other 7.1%; seats by party/coalition - SLFPA 145, SJB 54, TNA 10, JVP 3, other 13; composition as of February 2024 - men 213, women 12, percentage women 5.3%

Judicial Branch:

• office: chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65
• subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts

Regions or States:

• Summary: 9 provinces
• Central
• Eastern
• North Central
• Northern
• North Western
• Sabaragamuwa
• Southern
• Uva
• Western

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Crusaders for Democracy or CFD [Ganeshalingam CHANDRALINGAM]
• Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]
• Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front or EPRLF [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]
• Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi or ITAK [Mavai SENATHIRAJAH]
• Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE]
• Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU [Udaya GAMMANPILA]
• National People's Power or NPP (also known as Jathika Jana Balawegaya or JJB) [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE]
• People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam or PLOTE [Dharmalingam SIDDARTHAN]
• Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB [Sajith PREMADASA]
• Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Maithripala SIRISENA]
• Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]
• Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance or SLPFA [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA] (includes SLPFP, SLPP, and several smaller parties)
• Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka's People's Front) or SLPP [Gamini Lakshman PEIRIS]
• Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization or TELO [Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN]
• Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Rajavarothiam SAMPANTHAN] (includes ITAK, PLOTE, TELO)
• Tamil National People's Front or TNPF [Gajendrakumar PONNAMBALAM]
• Tamil People's National Alliance or TPNA [Canagasabapathy Visuvalingam VIGNESWARAN]
• United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] (coalition includes JHU, UNP)
• United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka dual citizenship
• recognized: no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka residency requirement for
• naturalization: 7 years

Capital Name

Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)

Capital - geographic coordinate

6 55 N, 79 50 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ABEDA
• ADB
• ARF
• BIMSTEC
• CD
• CICA (observer)
• CP
• FAO
• G-11
• G-15
• G-24
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (national committees)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IHO
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• MINURSO
• MINUSTAH
• MONUSCO
• NAM
• OAS (observer)
• OPCW
• PCA
• SAARC
• SACEP
• SCO (dialogue member)
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UNIFIL
• UNISFA
• UNMISS
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022)
• Embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03
• Mailing Address: 6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC 20521-6100
• Telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500
• FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345
• Email: colomboacs@state.gov
• Website: https://lk.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 13 January 2022)
• Chancery: 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025
• FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181
• Email: slembassy@slembassyusa.org
• Website: https://slembassyusa.org/new/
• Consulate(s) General: Los Angeles, New York

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Geographic Location

Asia

Geographic Coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Total Area

25,332 Square Miles 65,610 Square Kilometers

Land Area

24,954 Square Miles 64,630 Square Kilometers

Water Area

378 Square Miles 980 Square Kilometers

Coastline

833 Miles 1,340 Kilometers

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Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Highest Point

2,524 Meters

Highest Point Location

Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Lowest Point Location

Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower

Irrigated Land

2,201 Square Miles 5,700 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Monsoons produce two rainy seasons.

The southwest monsoon lasts roughly from May to September.

During this period, the southwestern part of the island, including Colombo, receives much of its average annual rainfall of 100 inches.

The northeast monsoon, from about October or November through February, provides the northern and eastern parts of the island virtually all their average annual rainfall of 60 inches.

Monsoon showers can become torrential in the Colombo area.

December through March generally proves the driest period.

Terrain

mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Location

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Total Area

25,332 Square Miles 65,610 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

• deforestation
• soil erosion
• wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization
• coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution
• freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff
• waste disposal
• air pollution in Colombo

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

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Exports

$7,908,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$11,600,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

textiles and apparel, tea, diamonds, coconut products, petroleum products

Major Imports

textiles, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Top Export Partners

US 37.7%, UK 12.6%, Germany 4.3%

Top Import Partners

India 13.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 7.2%, Japan 5.9%, South Korea 5%, Taiwan 4.8%, UAE 4.5%, UK 4.3%, China 4.3%

Export Partners

US 37.7%, UK 12.6%, Germany 4.3%

Import Partners

India 13.8%, Hong Kong 8.1%, Singapore 7.2%, Japan 5.9%, South Korea 5%, Taiwan 4.8%, UAE 4.5%, UK 4.3%, China 4.3%

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Country Description

Sri Lanka is a presidential parliamentary democracy with a developing economy.

On May 18, 2009, more than 26 years of conflict ended with the Sri Lankan government defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

During the war, the LTTE had a history of attacks against civilians, though none were directed against U.S. citizens.

There have been no terrorist attacks since the end of the conflict, and the government has authority throughout the island.

The LTTE remains on the U.S. list of designated terrorist organizations.

Sri Lanka's beaches, hill country, and archeological sites attract visitors from around the world.

Tourism increased in 2013 and is expected to rise further in the coming years.

The capital city of Colombo, the Cultural Triangle (Dambulla, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa), the cities of Kandy and Galle, and many southern beach towns have good tourist facilities, and the roads connecting many of those destinations are improving.

Safety & Security

Newspapers and other sources report ongoing criminal activity around the country, including murder and kidnapping.

Most violent crime occurs within the local community, although reports of violent crime and sexual assaults directed at foreigners have been increasing.

The Sri Lankan military continues to maintain a heavy presence in the north, and military roadblocks and checkpoints are commonly encountered when traveling in this region.

Although the government and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue operations to locate and dispose of landmines in the north, a number of areas are still mined.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance are found in parts of northern and eastern Sri Lanka, especially in the areas north of Vavuniya, including the areas of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar and Puthukudiyiruppu (PTK).

A map of the affected areas is available.

Travelers in these areas should stay on main, heavily traveled roads, and never walk in forested or agricultural areas or in abandoned properties.

Travelers should make themselves aware of, and able to recognize and avoid, any area cordoned off for landmine clearance.

Travelers should not touch anything that resembles a landmine or unexploded ordnance and should notify local police if they see something that resembles a landmine.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow prudent security practices.

You should avoid political rallies, military bases, military or police convoys, and closed areas of high security zones.

Demonstrations at or near Western embassies and international organizations are not uncommon.

There have been recent demonstrations against the United States and United Nations.

Some have been large, and on occasion they have become violent.

Given the unpredictability of demonstrations, U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when demonstrations are announced or reported, and avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming.

Demonstrations can occur with little or no advance notice.

U.S. citizens are urged to consult media sources and the U.S.

Embassy website for current security information and to enroll with the Embassy to receive e-mail messages or cellular phone short message service (SMS) texts about impending demonstrations in Colombo.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to always carry their U.S. passports while in Sri Lanka.

U.S. citizens of Sri Lankan origin may be subject to additional scrutiny upon arrival and while in the country.

The activities of visiting journalists, researchers, aid workers, and volunteers may also receive particular attention.

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Crime

There is an elevated criminal threat in Sri Lanka.

Most violent crime occurs within the local community.

However, reports of violent crime, sexual assaults and harassment directed at foreigners have been increasing in recent months.

Police response to assist victims can vary from a few minutes to hours, even in the tourist areas, and particularly in remote areas.

In response to this rise in crime, the Sri Lankan government now requires that all foreign tourists provide their passport information to hotel staff when registering at local hotels and guest houses so that this data can be used by local law enforcement for the monitoring of foreign tourists.

Organized and armed gangs are known to operate in Sri Lanka and have been responsible for targeted kidnappings and violence, although there is no evidence to suggest that U.S. citizens are at particular risk.

A British national was killed and a Russian national sexually assaulted and beaten during a violent attack by a gang in a tourist resort in the southern beach town of Tangalle in December 2011.

The Sri Lankan justice system can be slower than in the United States and there are a number of outstanding cases of crimes against foreign nationals.

U.S. citizens are advised against travel on public buses in Sri Lanka, as passengers can be targets of criminal activity and bus drivers do not all obey driving regulations.

Travelers, especially women, should consider travelling with other people when possible.

Western women continue to report incidents of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men.

Such harassment can occur anytime or anywhere, but most frequently has taken place in crowded areas such as marketplaces, train stations, buses, public streets and sporting events.

The harassment ranges from sexually suggestive or lewd comments to physical advances, and sexual assaults have occurred as well.

While most victims of sexual assault have been local residents, an upswing in sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas in the southern beaches underlines the fact that foreign women should exercise vigilance.

Routine petty crime, especially thefts of personal property and pick-pocketing, is not uncommon if the traveler does not take appropriate safeguards.

Cell phone theft is the most frequently reported crime against foreigners.

Street hustlers or “touts” are common around hotels, shopping centers, and tourist sites.

Credit card fraud is frequent and can happen in any establishment, or when paying online.

Sri Lankan law enforcement personnel recently uncovered a foreign ring of criminals who were using “false fronts’” and “pen camera devices” to clone bank cards and steal personal identification numbers at ATM machines in Sri Lanka.

Travelers should consider paying in cash whenever possible, and should carefully review billing statements to ensure that purchases displayed on their credit card statements are accurate.

Consultation with personal credit card security advisors is encouraged for travelers to develop a protection plan that is best for your travel to Sri Lanka.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Sri Lanka, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In places like military checkpoints, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Sri Lanka, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Sri Lankan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sri Lanka are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Under the Cultural Prosperity Act and the Antiques Ordinance, the unlicensed export of antiques from the country is considered a criminal act.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

There are six large hospitals in the Colombo area, including three facilities with emergency trauma service: Asiri Surgical Hospital, Lanka Hospital, and the government-run National Hospital.

Medical facilities outside Colombo are limited.

The U.S.

Embassy maintains a list of private physicians that may be obtained upon request.

The availability of medical supplies is uneven; as a result, travelers should carry any special medications with them.

Serious medical conditions do require evacuation to the United States or to a nearby country with more advanced medical facilities, such as Thailand or Singapore.

Neither Thailand nor Singapore requires U.S. citizens to have entry visas.

Several mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are present in Sri Lanka.

Adequate mosquito protection is strongly advised.

Traffic Safety

While in Sri Lanka, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Vehicular traffic in Sri Lanka moves on the left (British style).

Traffic in Colombo can be congested.

Narrow two-lane highways, overloaded trucks, poorly driven buses, and a variety of conveyances on the road, ranging from ox carts and bicycles to new four-wheel-drive vehicles, make driving dangerous.

Unexpected road blocks and one-way streets are common and may not be clearly marked.

Many visitors hire cars and drivers for long trips through the country.

Individuals who choose to hire three-wheeled vehicles (“tuks” or “three wheelers”) should use metered vehicles or negotiate prices beforehand to avoid confrontations upon arrival.

If you are renting a vehicle, you should specifically request one with working seatbelts.

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Airports - total

19

Airports with Paved Runways

15

Heliports

1

Railways

900 Miles 1,449 Kilometers

Roadways- total

70,894 Miles 114,093 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

10,549 Miles 16,977 Kilometers

Waterways

99 Miles 160 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Trincomalee

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Pipelines: Liquid Petroleum Gas

39 Miles 62 Kilometers

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Telephones

3,523,000

Cell Phones

7,983,000

Internet Users

771,700

Internet Country Code

.lk

Internet Hosts

8,865

Broadcast Media

• government operates 8 TV channels and a radio network
• multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available
• 35 private TV stations and about 50 radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: telephone services have improved significantly and are available in most parts of the country
• domestic: national trunk network consists mostly of digital microwave radio relay; fiber-optic links now in use in Colombo area and fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing
• international: country code - 94; the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

8,417,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

9,810,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

89,620

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

36,380

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Anthem Lyrics

Sri Lanka Matha Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha Sundara siri barini surandi athi soba mana Lanka Dhanya dhanaya neka mal palathuru piri jaya bhoomiya Ramya Apa hata sapa siri setha sadhana jeevanaye matha Piliganumanu apa bhakthi pooja Namo Namo Matha Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha Obave apa vidya Obamaya apa sathya Obave apa shakthi Apa hada thula bhakthi Oba apa aloke Apage anu prane Oba apa jeevanave Apa mukthiya obave Nava jeevana demine nithina apa pubudu karan matha Gnana veerya vadawamina ragana yanu mana jaya bhoomi kara Eka mawakage daru kala bawina Yamu yamu wee nopama Prema wada sama bheda dhurarada Namo Namo Matha Apa Sri Lanka Namo Namo Namo Namo Matha

Anthem Lyrics English

1.

Mother Lanka we worship Thee!

Plenteous in prosperity, Thou, Beauteous in grace and love, Laden with corn and luscious fruit And fragrant flowers of radiant hue, Giver of life and all good things, Our land of joy and victory, Receive our grateful praise sublime, Lanka! we worship Thee. 2.

Thou gavest us Knowledge and Truth, Thou art our strength and inward faith, Our light divine and sentient being, Breath of life and liberation.

Grant us, bondage free, inspiration.

Inspire us for ever.

In wisdom and strength renewed, Ill-will, hatred, strife all ended, In love enfolded, a mighty nation Marching onward, all as one, Lead us, Mother, to fullest freedom.