Sri Lanka by AISHWARYA KUZHIYIL

Government

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:03:57 UTC

Sri Lanka is a democratic socialist, which is a country that can vote but they have high taxes but lots of services. The current prime minister of this Democratic Socialist country is Ranil Wickremesinghe. His term is 6 years as well as the 225 seat Parliament. The laws in the country vary, for example the Supreme Court follows the laws of the country, but private cases follow the laws of the religion of the people involved in the case.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe giving a speech.

Government

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:05:26 UTC

There are some social problems in Sri Lanka. For example, the crime rates are rising with violent outbursts. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are a Sri Lankan terrorist group that has been stirring up trouble for the past 40 years. They have been fighting for their own state using suicide bombings and the guerilla strategy.

The terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) campground.

Economy

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:07:36 UTC

The economy of Sri Lanka is mix between a socialistic economy and a traditionally agriculturally based. The currency for this economy and country is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR). 1 USD is worth roughly 153 Sri Lankan Rupees.

A man in Sri Lanka paying with Sri Lanka Rupees (LKR).

Economy

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:07:51 UTC

The GDP is $217.1 billion dollars with the GDP per capita is $10,000. Some of the exports used to make this much money are tea, coconut, and rubber. The imports are textiles, machinery & equipment, foodstuffs.

Sri Lankan women picking tea leaves.

History

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:11:30 UTC

Some secular holidays in Sri Lanka are Poya Day, Independence Day, and May Day. These holidays are all related to historical events like one of their historical figures, Vijaya. Vijaya was a legendary prince, rumored to have found Sri Lanka.

A celebration for the National Independence Day in Sri Lanka.

Religion

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:18:47 UTC

Hinduism is the second most common religion, celebrating 33 main deities. They have beautiful and big festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Krishna Janmashtami. They also believe in wearing bindis, dots between the eyebrows.

A mother and daughter lighting candles in Sri Lanka for the Diwali.

Religion

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:23:32 UTC

The most popular religion in Sri Lanka is Buddhism. Buddhists celebrate a variety of holidays such as, the Buddhist New Year, Poya Day, and Vesak, all of which are celebrated on full moons. A few interesting things about Buddhism is that they don’t celebrate gods, they celebrate people and meditation is very important to the religion, capturing both mind and body.

A celebration of Vesak in Sri Lanka.

History

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:24:42 UTC

Two important wars in Sri Lankan history happened. One main war, which lasted 30 years, was their civil war. This was between a terrorist group called Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), against the government, with the government winning. The second war was Sri Lanka’s fight to gain independence from Great Britain and they won after being under their control for over a hundred years on February 4th, 1948.

A genocide against Tamils from the Sri Lankan Government.

Arts

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:30:34 UTC

The culture and history of Sri Lanka is told through it’s music and dance. The country’s traditional dance battling off evil spirits, while the percussion based music supports the fight. Some other styles of music are traditional folk music, film music, and Sinhala light music.

A man and woman traditionally dancing.

Arts

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:33:10 UTC

The visual art is a story of the colorful and different religions of Sri Lanka. Lots of the famous and detailed artwork represents Buddhism. Some other intricate art are there beautiful jewelry that are highly valued. Many of these pieces of jewelry are gold, as that it is important to many religious.

A man painting art about Buddhism.

Daily Life

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:35:04 UTC

The life expectancy of the citizens in Sri Lanka are, 73 for male and 80 for female, while the literacy rate is roughly the same at around 92%. Some of the food in Sri Lanka are like India with rice and spicy curries, roti, and sour lime pickles. Also, in this small island men wear button down shirts along with a sarong, a long rectangular garment. The traditional clothing that the women wear are saris like the osari and lamsari.

A group of people eating traditional and local cuisine in Sri Lanka.

Daily Life

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:37:42 UTC

Since 97% of Sri Lankan kids go to school for 14 years, education is important, though the quality may not be great due the Civil War. These gender segregated schools have teachers who may not be able to perform at their best ability. Work is also significant, with jobs in the ports and shipping related industries, the apparel industry, and hospitality and tourism.

A Sri Lankan school for girls.

Gender Roles

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:42:27 UTC

Men and women have different types of jobs in Sri Lanka. Men have more stereotypical jobs, like leadership jobs, and also physically demanding jobs like manual labor and engineering. Women have more “feminine” and detail oriented jobs like creating clothing, cooking, and nursing.

A woman weaving cotton.

Gender Roles

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:43:51 UTC

The statuses of both men and women differ from the two. Women are highly valued but men more, being the dominant gender. The country never practiced child marriage or sati, the burning of the widows, but sexaual harassment and assault towards women are quite common.

Men and women in Sri Lanka.

Marriage and Family Life

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:47:38 UTC

When it comes to marriage in Sri Lanka, arranged marriage is very popular but the country is moving towards marriage of the couple’s choice. After there is the family. In the household the oldest man is has the most power, but the women are highly respected.

A traditional wedding in the Sri Lankan culture.

Marriage and Family Life

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:51:20 UTC

After the parents die, their belongings become inherited by their children equally. The male children get the land and house, while the women get cash, jewelry, and others that can be moved. The belongings the women get are often left as dowry, a gift from the bride to the groom.

These are some of the things that women inherit after their parents die.

Bibliography

akuzhiyil2022 — 2016-09-20 18:52:52 UTC

"Democratic Socialism." Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2016. <http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/de/Democratic_socialism>.

"Subscriber Area Only." CultureGrams Online Database: Subscriber Area Only. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?cid=151&cn=Sri_Lanka&ctid=3>.

"WordNet Search - 3.1." Princeton University. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ltte>.

"The World Factbook: SRI LANKA." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ce.html>.

"World Book Student | Article Page." World Book Student | Article Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar527710&st=sri%2Blanka#tab=homepage>.

"Buddhist Festivals and Special Days." Buddhist Festivals and Special Days. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.htm>.

Buddhism Customs. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 19. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/customs/worship_1.shtml>.

"LibGuides: Holidays and Observances: Hinduism." Hinduism. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://libguides.webster.edu/c.php?g=98058&p=633548>.

"Hinduism Facts." Hinduism Facts Facts about Hindu Religion. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://hinduismfacts.org/hindu-customs-and-traditions/>.

"Sri Lankan Food." Serious Seats. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/09/what-is-sri-lankan-food-like-cuisine-guide-international-travel-curry-string-hoppers-coconut-sambal.html>.

"Traditional Dresses of the World - 1." The Lovely Planet. N.p., 12 Feb. 2012. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://thelovelyplanet.net/traditional-dresses-of-the-world-1/>.

"Sri Lanka." UNICEF. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://www.unicef.org/srilanka/activities_881.htm>.

"How to Find a Job in Sri Lanka." Workinsrilankalk Careers Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://workinsrilanka.lk/careers/>.

@lakpura. "Dance in Sri Lanka." Wwwlankacom. N.p., 20 Apr. 2015. Web. Sept. 2016. <https://www.lanka.com/about/interests/dance/>.

"Sri Lankan Music." Sri Lankan Music. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/lanka/art/music.htm>.

"South Asian Arts - Visual Arts of India and Sri Lanka (Ceylon)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <https://www.britannica.com/art/South-Asian-arts/Visual-arts-of-India-and-Sri-Lanka-Ceylon>.

By This Point in Our Trip, We Had Observed the Three Main Types of Gem Recovery in Sri Lanka: (1) Pit Mining, including Simple Narrow Pits with Galleries and Small Open-cast Operations, Both Worked by Hand; (2) Mechanized Mining in Open Pits, Incorporatin. "Sri Lanka." Sri Lanka. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016. <http://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2014-sri-lanka-expedition-island-of-jewels>.

Ranil Wickremesinghe. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://adaderana.lk/news_images/1390834512r3.jpg>.

LTTE. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://ste.india.com/sites/default/files/styles/zm_350x200/public/2016/06/03/495551-sri-lanka-tamil-tigers.jpg?itok=7bYAKltK>.

LKR. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.

Tea Picking. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.

Independence Day. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <https://www.lanka.com/wp-content/gallery/sri-lanka-national-independence-day/sri-lanka-independance-day-5.jpg>.

Genocide. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://vannimassacre.wordpress.com/files/2009/05/may10carnage_12.jpg>.

Vesak. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://blog.shantitravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Vesak-Festival-Procession1.jpg>.

Diwali. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://www.villaspeople.com/images/deepavali-from-sri-lanka-villas_subteaserimg.jpg>.

Sri Lankan Food. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://bna-art.s3.amazonaws.com/www.bootsnall.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/rice-and-curry.jpg>.

Sri Lankan School. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://www.thesundayleader.lk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/18-011.jpg>.

Sri Lankan Dance. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://www.slaah.org/thala/dance.jpg>.

Painting About Buddhism. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/01/z_p18-Painters-02.jpg>.

Woman Weaving Cotton. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://il7.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/10307375/thumb/1.jpg?i10c=img.resize(height:160)>.

Sri Lankan Men and Women. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01395/sri-lanka_1395119c.jpg>.

Sri Lankan Wedding. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gF3LmFCt5Ig/maxresdefault.jpg>.

Cash and Jewelry. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2016. <https://www.expatads.com/adpics1/2015/10/Buy-and-Sell-Gold-Gold-for-Sale-Top-Gold-Buyers-amp-Sellers-Instant-Cash-for-Gold-in-Hubli5625f9b98ab521a4948e.jpg>.