Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Area 65,630 sq km; Population 19,287,000; Density pop/sq km 281,9; Urban Pop. 22,5%; population growth 1.4%; life expectancy 70 anni (men), 76 (women); literacy 92%; Languages Sinhalese, Tamil, English; Ethnic groups Sinhalese 73.9%, Tamil 12.7%, Mori7.1%; GDP pro head 3,530 $; Annual growth PIL 4.3%; international debt US$ 9,066 million (479 $ pro head)
Religions Buddhism 71%, Hinduism 15%, Islam 7%, Christianity 7%.
Capital Colombo (615.000 pop.); Government presidential republic.
Catholic Church in Sri Lanka
Origin evangelisation started in 1543, and continued to the 17th century. Under Dutch colonial rule Catholics are persecuted (1656-1795). Catholic hierarchy established in 1886. Swift growth in numbers of local clergy facilitated spread of local Church.
Catholics: 1.354.000 Ecclesiastical Circumscriptions 11; bishops 15, diocesan priests: 615 religious priests 333; Brothers 236; women Religious 2.333 Catechists 8.682 major seminarians 486
challenges: reconciliation among Tamil and Sinhalese peoples; promote interreligious dialogue with Buddhists.
