Sri Lanka in Perspective - Orientation Guide and Tamil Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, LTTE, Islamist Violence, Colombo/Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Negombo, Kandy, Moors

This is a reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Sri Lanka, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features *...
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This is a reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Sri Lanka, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features * Knuckles Mountains * Hanthana Mountains * Sabaragamuwa Mountains * Climate * Rivers and Bodies of Water * Indian Ocean * Bay of Bengal * Palk Bay * Palk Strait * Gulf of Mannar * Mahaweli Ganga * Major Cities and Population * Colombo/Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte * Negombo * Kandy * Kalmunai * Galle * Batticaloa * Jaffna * Environmental Issues * Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Sinhalese Origin Narrative * The Ancient Kingdom * Medieval Invasions and Social Integration * Early Modern * Colonial Domination * Portuguese * Dutch * British * 20th Century * Independence * Civil War * Recent Events * Conclusion of the Civil War * Post-war Developments * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Industry * Energy and Natural Resources * Trade * Exports * Imports * Tourism * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living and Employment Trends * Public vs. Private Sector * Future Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Sinhalese * Tamils * Moors (Muslims) * Burghers * Veddahs * Religion * Buddhism * Hinduism * Islam * Roman Catholicism * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Gender Issues * Arts * Dance * Music * Folk Art * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * U.S. - Sri Lanka Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * India * Pakistan * China * Maldives * Bangladesh * Police Force * Military * Army * Air Force * Navy * Issues Affecting Stability * Resurgent Tamil Militancy * Islamist Violence * PROFILE * Introduction * Geography * Area * Geographic Division and Topographic Features * Climate * Bodies of Water * Indian Ocean * Bay of Bengal * Palk Bay * Palk Strait * Gulf of Mannar * Mahaweli Ganga * Yan Oya * Major Cities * Colombo/Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte * Batticaloa * Jaffna * Vavuniya * Trincomalee * Kilinochchi * Important Elements of History * Ancient * Medieval * Colonial * Independence to Civil War * Civil War (1983-2009) * Recent Events * Government * Media * Economy * Economy in Tamil Areas * Ethnic Groups * Tamils * Sinhalese * Moors * Burghers * CHAPTER 1 ASSESSMENT * CHAPTER 2 * RELIGION * Introduction * Overview of Major Religions * Hinduism * Roman Catholicism * Islam * Buddhism * Role of Religion in the Government * Religion in Daily Life * Religious Events and Holidays * Buildings of Worship * Hindu Temples * Christian Churches * Behavior in Places of Worship * Hindu Temples * Christian Churches * CHAPTER 2 ASSESSMENT * CHAPTER 3 * TRADITIONS * Introduction * Honor and Values * Formulaic Codes of Politeness * Gestures * Time * Hospitality & Gift-Giving * Eating Customs * Dress Codes * Non-Religious Celebrations * Other * Dos and Don'ts * CHAPTER 3 ASSESSMENT * CHAPTER 4 * URBAN LIFE * Urbanization * Jaffna * Batticaloa * Trincomalee * Vavuniya * Colombo * Urban Work Issues * Daily Urban Life * Urban Healthcare * Education * Early Childhood Development * Primary and Secondary Education * Tertiary Education * Public Places * Restaurants * Marketplace * Urban Traffic & Transportation * Street Crime & Solicitations * CHAPTER 4 ASSESSMENT * CHAPTER 5 * RURAL LIFE * Introduction * Land Distribution-Ownership * Land Reform Legislation * Rural Economy: Typical Sources of Income in Rural Areas * Rural Transportation * Health Issues * Daily Life in the Countryside * Who's in Charge * Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Landmines