Sri Lanka Facts

Helo! That’s how you say “hello” in Sinhala, one of the official languages of Sri Lanka. This South Asian country is home to pristine beaches and is known for its Ceylon tea. Learn more Sri Lanka fun facts here.

five Facts About Sri Lanka

Here are five fun facts about Sri Lanka:

  1. Sri Lanka is known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” because of its natural beauty.
  2. The country is one of the world’s leading exporters of tea, including Ceylon, a black tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
  3. Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Sigiriya, the sacred city of Kandy and the old town of Galle.
  4. Many animals live in Sri Lanka, including elephants, leopards and even whales.
  5. Cuisine in Sri Lanka features yummy dishes like rice and curry as well as appam, thin pancakes made from rice flour and coconut milk.

Where is Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia that’s located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of India.

A Key Challenge of Child Poverty & Our Response

Countries throughout Asia are known for their diverse cultures, beautiful landscapes and incredible cuisines, but sadly, many are also home to children living in poverty.

Children in Rural Communities Can’t Get Essentials

Many children and families live in rural communities in remote areas throughout Asia. Unfortunately, these areas often lack critical life essentials like access to nutritious food and medical care.

This leaves children at risk of serious consequences like malnutrition and disease that threaten their well-being and prevent them from growing as they should.

Our Response: Providing Critical Care to Children in Need

Compassion partners with child development centers throughout Sri Lanka and other Asian countries to offer care to these children. The children we serve are protected from malnutrition, are welcomed into safe communities where they can learn and grow, and they receive education support.

We also provide annual medical checkups to ensure children are healthy. And if they’re sick or hurt, they receive medical care.

A girl standing outside wearing a blue and white dress

A girl stands outside her child development center.

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A teacher standing in front of students in classroom

Children listen to their teacher in the classroom.

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A girl standing in a field near a cow

A girl stands next to a cow she received as a gift.

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A boy standing outside his home

A boy stands outside his child development center.

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A family sits on ground while selling their produce

A mother sits with her children next to the crops she sells to generate income.

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A girl stands outside the trainstation

A girl stands near the railway tracks she has to cross to get to school and her center.

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Our Impact in Sri Lanka

Compassion has been proudly serving children and families throughout Sri Lanka for well over a decade. In this time, we’ve empowered many children to escape the grips of poverty through child sponsorship.

24,925

children served (and counting).

119

child development centers.

13

years serving.

Sponsor Letters Are Prized Possessions

A sponsor’s words mean everything to children living in poverty. Wenuki, from Sri Lanka, stores her sponsor’s letters carefully inside a bright orange case. See how sponsor letters are impacting children around the world.

Shanto Escapes Child Labor in Asia

Left abandoned, Shanto worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. But it still wasn’t enough. Through his Compassion center, he received the funds he needed to attend school, easing his heavy burden and protecting him from dangerous labor.

How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Sri Lanka

You can join Compassion’s fight against child poverty in Sri Lanka in three key ways:

  • Pray: Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift children living in poverty up in prayer, God hears us, and we can trust he's working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.
  • Donate: Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.
  • Sponsor a Child: By sponsoring a child, you empower a child development center to meet the critical needs of a child's body, mind and spirit as they journey out of poverty. Through sponsorship, you'll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need.