Question

What is the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka?

Answer 1

Instructions: Mention the different Ethnic groups and percentage of population it has. You can also describe the religions followed in Sri Lanka by these ethnic groups.

Answer: The major ethnic communities of Sri Lanka are:

1. Sinhala-speakers
2. Tamil-speakers

Among the Tamils-speakers there are the two sub- groups :

Tamil natives of the country are called “Sri Lankan Tamils” and the rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period are called “Indian Tamils”.

Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country. Most of the Sinhala Speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7% Christians, who are both Tamils and Sinhalas.