Question
Mention ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.
Solution
Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population (74%) with Tamils (18%) who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslims. Among, these are two sub-groups. The Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri-Lankan’ Tamils (13%). The Tamils, who were brought as indentured labourers from India by British colonialists to work on estate plantations are called the ‘Indian Origin Tamils’ (5%).
Most of the Sinhala speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 per cent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhalese.
