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 professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook 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