Small and located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka covers around 65,610 km2, which is a bit larger than West Virginia. It is made up of an island mainland and 1,340 plus islands. The land has seemingly every kind of geography there is — from coastal plains, to central highlands, thick rainforests and deserts.

The coastal plains — where important trade and tourism hubs like Colombo and Galle are located — form a significant part of this economic hub. Cool central highlands with the Knuckles mountain range, and the striking Adam´s Peak dominate cool climes and tea plantations. Sinharaja, a UNESCO world heritage site and the last tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, in the northern and eastern areas exist drier terrains and the land is mostly flat.

Coastal plains, where major cities such as Colombo and Galle are situated, are essential for commerce and tourism. In the city you find the central highlands, home to cool temperatures and iconic mountain ranges such as Knuckles and Adam’s Peak besides beautiful tea plantations. Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which supports one of the last remaining tropical rainforests in Sri Lanka. Conversely, the drier, flatter lands lie in the northern and eastern parts.

Sri Lanka has a history that dates back 2,500 years, and it is believed that the Sinhalese people migrated from Northern India to Sri Lanka in early settlements. Greco-Roman geographers called it Taprobane and aviators visiting ancient crossroads such as Anuradhapura afforded it Carolingian Arab traders referred to the isle as Serendib.

The Anuradhapura Kingdom (377 BCE—1017 CE), which was the first major Sinhalese kingdom, is significant in world history as it established the precedent of grand stupas, Buddhism and a high level of civilization. The next Sri Lankan Kingdom, the Polonnaruwa Era (11th–13th centuries), was a Golden Age of infectious diseases and Asian tradecraft.

Colonial rule in Europe started around the 16th-century. The Portuguese would arrive as early as 1505 and control these areas of coast, in addition to the introduction of Catholicism. In 1658, the Dutch allowed to leave Portugal and opened up to trade while fortifying themselves with a leading to the creation of Galle Fort. In 1796 it fell to the British who created a uniform administration on the island and converted its economy through coffee, tea, rubber cultivation.

Having obtained independence from Britain in 1948, Sri Lanka almost immediately descended into ethnic chaos, between the Sinhalese (75%) and Tamils (11%). The official language out of law ”Sinhala Only Act” 1956, forced Tamils to the margins fueling demands by some Tamil political leaders for secession from Sri Lanka.

A militant group campaigning for a separate Tamil homeland was formed in 1976 as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which launched an armed struggle against the government in 1983. This led to a 26-year civil war that killed over 100,000 civilians before the Sri Lankan government defeated the LTTE in 2009.

Srilanka is a Multi Ethnic and religious country. The largest minority groups are the Tamils, Moors (Muslims), and Indian Tamils. Religions Buddhism (70%), Hinduism (12%), Islam (10%), Christianity(7%)

The country has a rich cultural history with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the ancient city of Sigiriya, The Sacred City of Kandy and the Thoothaaramaya. Very much rooted in the island cultures are traditional dance, music, and festivals, such as the fearfully spectacular Kandy Esala Perahera.

The 2019 Easter bombings by Islamist extremists left more than 250 people dead and were followed by political instability. Crippling shortages of fuel, food and medicine led to mass protests nationwide during the worst economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka in 2022. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa went abroad and resigned, making Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as President.

In 2023 the IMF agreed to a $3 billion rescue package, although recovery has been slow and unpopular austerity measures continue.

Agriculture continues to be a mainstay of the economy and is centered around tea, rubber, coconut, and rice. Textiles and garments are the two most important categories in this sector, contributing substantially to exports. Additionally, Sri Lanka is also a primary exporter of precious stones such as sapphires.

A major contributor to foreign exchange, tourism took a blow thanks to the bombings of 2019 and COVID-19, but it is on the road to recovery. The Port of Colombo is a vital transshipment point located in South Asia that helps develop opportunities for trade.

Sri Lanka’s economy has been mired in heavy debt, inflation and a dependence on imports of essentials like fuel and medicines. The 2022 default on foreign debt was a nadir requiring IMF steps ho assist. Structural reform, foreign investment, and the pursuit of sustainability are key to long-term recovery.

Sri Lanka has a population of roughly 22 million, and more than 92% of the population is literate, among the highest rates in South Asia. The nation offers free universal healthcare and education, also free of charge at the university level.

But, there are also social issues which can not be overlooked like post-war reconciliation with Tamil communities, increasing poverty due to inflation and brain drain as skilled professionals leave the country for greener pastures. Agriculture, textiles and tourism have been the traditional activities driving economic growth in Sri Lanka. But recent crises have laid bare the gates of its ruin.

Sri Lanka — The Land of Resilience, Splendor and Yet-to-be-realised Capabilities It has been hard hit by the current circumstances but could be set up for recovery with strategic reforms and inclusive policies. Sri Lanka could once more be the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” if stability is reached.

By: Luwei Zhu