Sri Lanka: official statistics and sources
18 official bodies for Sri Lanka, from Department of Census and Statistics to Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil. Capital: Colombo.
Who holds power in Sri Lanka
- Head of state: Anura Kumara Dissanayake (President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Head of State)
- Head of government: Harini Amarasuriya (Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)
- Foreign minister: Vijitha Herath (Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)
Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.
Unitary republic with an executive presidency. How local power works in Sri Lanka: 4 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.
Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.
Government, regions and cities
- Government and power in Sri Lanka: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
- All 9 provinces: Western Province, Central Province, Southern Province, North Western Province, Sabaragamuwa Province…
Key figures
What the figures show
World Bank data give a population of 21.8 million for Sri Lanka in 2025, against 21.0 million in 2015. Of the 6 UN members in the World Bank's South Asia region, 3 have more people; worldwide it comes 62nd.
Sri Lanka's economy produced $108.8 billion of goods and services in 2025, in current US dollars. That works out at $5,002 a head; the regional median is $3,598.
Real GDP grew by 5.0% in 2025, World Bank figures show. For 2026 the IMF expects 4.0%.
Across 2025 the annual rate was -4.8%. The IMF forecasts 5.3% for 2026.
The ILO's modelled unemployment rate for 2025 is 4.0%; the national statistics office may publish a different figure from its own survey.
The IMF records general government gross debt of 96.8% of GDP for 2025, compared with a median of 90.6% across the World Bank's South Asia region; its 2026 projection is 95.2%.
Life expectancy at birth: 77.7 years (2024).
- Annual inflation since 2015: highest 49.7% (2022), lowest -4.8% (2025).
- Debt ratio 2015: 76.3%; 2025: 96.8%.
- GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: +23%.
Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.
Official sources in Sri Lanka
Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output
- Department of Census and Statistics
Publishes Sri Lanka's consumer price indices, GDP estimates, census and labour force survey.
Central bank interest rates and money
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Publishes monetary policy decisions, exchange rates, economic statistics and the annual report.
Parliament debates, votes, bills
- Parliament of Sri Lanka
Publishes Hansard, order papers, bills and the directory of members.
Government
- Presidential Secretariat
Publishes presidential statements, gazette notices and media releases.
Laws and the official gazette the text of laws
- Department of Government Printing
Publishes the Government Gazette, Acts, bills and other official documents.
Courts judgments
- Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
Publishes Supreme Court judgments and case information.
Public audit how public money was spent
- National Audit Office
Publishes the Auditor General's reports on government entities.
Elections results and rules
- Election Commission of Sri Lanka
Publishes electoral registers, election notices and official results.
Regulators
- Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka
Publishes capital-market regulations, enforcement actions and market statistics.
- Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Publishes telecoms statistics, licences and regulatory directions.
- Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka
Publishes electricity tariff decisions, regulations and sector reports.
- Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka
Publishes guidance and rules under the Personal Data Protection Act.
Ombudsman
- Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman)
Publishes information on complaints against public institutions and annual reports.
Access to information requests to public bodies
- Right to Information Commission
Hears appeals under the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016 and publishes its decisions.
Public registers companies, land, charities
- Department of the Registrar of Companies (eROC)
Online registration and search of companies and filings under the Companies Act.
- Registrar General's Department
Registers land deeds and title, as well as births, marriages and deaths.
- Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
Receives declarations of assets and liabilities under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023 and investigates bribery and corruption.
Public contracts government tenders and awards
- National Procurement Commission
Publishes procurement guidelines, manuals and notices for public procurement.
Freedom of information in Sri Lanka
| Law | Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016 (2016) |
|---|---|
| Answered by | An information officer in each public authority. |
| Time limit | 14 working days for a decision |
| Appeals to | Designated officer of the public authority, then the Right to Information Commission |
Read from the Act: appeals to the designated officer within 14 days, and to the Commission within two months of that decision; the Commission decides within 30 days. Fees follow the Commission's fee schedule.
What Sri Lanka does not have
- No public register of lobbyists.
- No official state database of court judgments beyond the Supreme Court's own site, already listed.
Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.
Sri Lanka by subject
- Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
- Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
- Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
- Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
- Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
- Housing homes, cities, water and power
- Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
- Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
- Education schools, universities and literacy
- Environment emissions, air, forests and water
Power in Sri Lanka, from local government up to the G20
The global bodies above national governments, and the levels of power inside Sri Lanka. How the ten levels work.
Level 3: Local councils
- Local government in Sri Lanka how councils, regions and municipalities work
Level 5: Devolved and state governments
- Regions of Sri Lanka 9 regions, states or provinces
Level 6: National government
- Sri Lanka: national government this page
- Government and power in Sri Lanka who leads, the parliament and the courts
- World leaders every country's head of state and government
Level 10: G7, G20, Davos and global forums
Common questions
What is the population of Sri Lanka?
21.8 million (2025, World Bank). National figures: Department of Census and Statistics.
What is the inflation rate in Sri Lanka?
minus 4.8% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Department of Census and Statistics.
What is Sri Lanka's GDP?
$108.8 billion (2025, World Bank).
How much government debt does Sri Lanka have?
96.8% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).
Who publishes official statistics in Sri Lanka?
Department of Census and Statistics: https://www.statistics.gov.lk/
Is there a freedom of information law in Sri Lanka?
Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016 (2016). Time limit: 14 working days for a decision. Appeals: Designated officer of the public authority, then the Right to Information Commission.
What is the central bank of Sri Lanka?
Central Bank of Sri Lanka: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/
Link moved? Tell us.