Sri Lanka - Country overview

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) is an island in the Indian Ocean about 28 kilometers (18 mi.) off the southeastern coast of India, in a strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes. Over one-third of Sri Lanka’s population – 8.7 million people – partially derives their livelihoods from agricultural and fisheries-based activities and, for many, these provide the basis of household food security.