8 Things You Didn’t Know About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is often overlooked among the South Asian nations. Here are eight reasons it shouldn’t be.
January 17, 2015
1. Sri Lanka’s economy is predicted to grow 7% per annum through 2019, one of the highest rates in the world.
2. Per capita income has doubled since 2005 to US $3,380.
3. Sri Lanka is the world’s second largest exporter of tea.
4. It has South Asia’s highest literacy rate of 92%.
5. Trincomalee, on the East coast of Sri Lanka, is the world’s second largest natural harbor.
6. Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike (1916 – 2000), was the modern world’s first female head of government.
7. Sri Lanka is one of the most biologically diverse countries in Asia. Over 25% of Sri Lanka’s total area is protected, more than any other Asian nation.
8. Sri Lanka is home to the oldest human-planted tree in the world, considered to be a sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha became enlightened.
Editor’s Note: Credit to Eric Stryson, Managing Director at Global Institute for Tomorrow
