Ceylon Investment Group ( Pvt) Ltd

Sri Lanka is situated in the emerald green waters of the Indian Ocean, at the base of the Indian sub-continent, about 880 km north of the equator. Sri Lanka has a pleasant tropical climate, with an average temperature of 25 to 30 Celsius. The latitude and the longitude of the country is 7o 00 N and 81o 00 E. The land area is 65,610 sq km.

The Sinhalese were the first inhabitants of Sri Lanka. The Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century. They were the first Europeans to discover the gems and spices of the country. The Dutch followed, taking over in the 17th century. In turn, they were succeeded by the British who took over the country in 1815 and ruled for 133 years.

‘Ceylon’ received its independence in 1948. Its name was changed to ‘Sri Lanka’ in 1972.

In the 1970’s tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists grew and finally erupted into a civil war in 1983. Thousands died in the ethnic conflict, until the peace process was established in 2001. Subsequent governments have sought an end to the conflict with recent successful conclusion of the conflict and restoration of peace by the current government.

Sri Lanka’s per capita GDP is presently USD 4,700 (PPP), the highest in South Asia, and it's literacy rate is 92%, the highest in South Asia and second highest in Asia. Sri Lanka has no less than ten World Heritage Sites scattered throughout the country.

Despite the recent emergence from its political problems, the people of Sri Lanka inhabit a land of extraordinary natural beauty and a society with a rich cultural heritage.