Political System and Economy

Modern communications, western medical services, education in English, as well as the plantation industry (first coffee and then tea, rubber and coconut) developed during the British rule. By a process of peaceful, constitutional evolution, Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and became a sovereign republic in 1972, with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations Organization. The country has enjoyed a democratic multi-party system ever since.
In the year 1977 the United National Party won the general election by a majority of 5/6 and in 1978 a new constitution was established with the Executive Presidency which conferred great power on the Presidency. The open economy was introduced by the UNP government under the Executive Presidency of J.R Jayawardana. Since then, there were four executive presidents including the current president His Exellency Mahinda Rajapakse.
Sri Lanka is primarily an agricultural country. The chief crop is rice, mainly for domestic consumption, with tea, rubber and coconut being important exports. Other crops of importance are cocoa and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and cloves. Fruit and vegetables, native to both tropical and temperate regions, grow well in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has also long been a major exporter of precious and semi-precious stones. Several spheres of enterprise, such as the fledgling fisheries industry, show great promise and potential. In recent decades remittances from expatriate Sri Lankans employed abroad have contributed greatly towards foreign exchange earnings. The last three decades have seen tourism emerge as an important industry. There has also been a rapid growth in manufacturing industries, which offer a wide range of export goods such as petroleum products, leather goods, ready-made garments and electronic equipment. Many Free Trade Zones and Industrial Parks have been established in key locations around the island to further promote commerce.
According to the Central Bank Annual report the government has given priority to develop national and rural roads in its infrastructure development plan. This is in order to improve mobility, connectivity, and opening access to markets.

Newspapers, Radio and Television
National daily newspapers are published in the English, Sinhala and Tamil languages, with Magazine type editions during the weekends. A comprehensive selection of international publications, newspapers, journals and magazines are available at newsagents, bookstalls and in hotel foyers.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the oldest Short Wave Station in the region, operates radio transmissions over Short Wave in 9 Languages - Sinhala, Tamil, English, Hindi, Nepali, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Japanese to listeners between 0530 hrs. and 2300 hrs. Local transmissions over FM Band in English, Sinhala and Tamil over SLBC, TNL, Sirasa, ABC, ITN and Capital Radio, E FM, Lite FM, Shakthi FM, Neth FM, Siyatha, Sooriyan FM, and MAX Radio. You may check daily newspapers for programmes.
There are 13 TV Channels in operation - Rupavahini, ITN, MTV, TNL, Swarnavahini, Sirasa, Channel EYE, ARTV, TV Lanka, Shakthi, Derena,MAX, Siyatha, ETV, The Buddist - Sri Lanka TV Channel, and Dialog TV - Sri Lanka TV Channel - Dialog TV is a direct broadcast satellite pay television provider based in Sri Lanka. A wide variety of programmes covering various subjects are telecast over these channels, which include News briefs from B.B.C., Sky News and CNN. Please refer the daily press for programmes. Satellite TV and cable TVs are available.
Information for travellers