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Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, island republic in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of India, a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar. Lying between the two nations is a chain of tiny islands known as Adam's Bridge. Sri Lanka is somewhat pear-shaped, with its apex in the north. The greatest length from north to south is about 440 km (about 273 mi); the greatest width is about 220 km (about 137 mi). The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km (25,332 sq mi). The administrative capital of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayawardenepura (Kotte); and Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city.
Sri Lanka's coast, particularly the west, south, and southeast, is palm-fringed and indented by lagoons and inlets. The more rugged northeastern coast contains Trincomalee Harbor, considered one of the best natural harbors in the world. On the southwestern coast other harbors include the largely artificial one at Colombo and one at Galle.
II. Land and Resources
An outstanding feature of the topography of Sri Lanka is a mountainous mass in the south central part of the country, the highest point of which is the peak of Pidurutalagala (2,524 m/ 8,281 ft). In the upland area are two plateaus, Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, which are major centers of commercial tea plantations. The plateaus are noted for their cool, healthful climate. North of the mountains, and extending south, is an arid and gently rolling plain known as the dry zone.
Rivers and streams that are broken by rapids are especially numerous in the mountainous south central region. The longest river is the Mahaweli Ganga, which empties into the Indian Ocean south of Trincomalee. Other rivers include the Kelani, the mouth of which is near Colombo; the Kalu, which reaches the sea near Kalutara on the southwestern coast; and the Aruvi Aru, which flows northwest across the dry zone to a point near Mannar.