Acknowledgments

Sri Lanka Table of Contents

This edition supercedes the Area Handbook for Sri Lanka written by Richard F. Nyrop, et alia, in 1970. Some parts of that edition have been used in the preparation of the current book, and the authors of Sri Lanka: A Country Study are grateful for the seminal work done by the earlier edition's authors. The authors also wish to thank various members of the staff of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C. for their assistance.

Various members of the staff of the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress assisted in the preparation of the book. Richard F. Nyrop made helpful suggestions during his review of all parts of the book. Elizabeth A. Park prepared the telecommunication sections in chapters 3 and 4. Robert L. Worden researched the data used in preparing maps for the book, and Carolina E. Forrester checked the content of all of the maps and reviewed the text of the section on geography. Arvies J. Staton contributed to the figures on military ranks and insignia. David P. Cabitto, Kimberly Lord, and Paulette Marshall did the illustrations; David P. Cabitto, Sandra K. Ferrell, and Kimberly Lord prepared the graphics. Martha E. Hopkins edited portions of the manuscript and managed editing of the book; Marilyn L. Majeska edited portions of the manuscript and managed production; and Izella Watson and Barbara Edgerton performed word processing. Others who contributed were Harriet R. Blood, who assisted in the preparation of maps; Mimi Cantwell, Richard Kollodge, Ruth Nieland, and Gage Ricard, who edited portions of the manuscript; Catherine Schwartzstein, who performed final prepublication editorial review, and Shirley Kessel of Communications Connection, who prepared the index. Malinda B. Neale of the Library of Congess Composing Unit prepared camera-ready copy, under the direction of Peggy Pixley. The inclusion of photographs in this book was made possible by the generosity of various individuals and public and private agencies.

Preface

SRI LANKA: A COUNTRY STUDY replaces the edition of this work published in 1982. Like its predecessor, this study attempts to treat in a concise and objective manner the dominant social, political, economic, and military aspects of Sri Lankan society. Central to the study of contemporary Sri Lanka is the SinhaleseTamil conflict, its history, ramifications, and the toll it has taken on the country. For all intents and purposes, The National Capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo--the site of its government ministries and foreign embassies. In 1982, however, a new parliamentary compiles opened in Sri Jayenardenepura, bottle a suburb of Colombo, and the administrative capital was moved there. Contemporary place names used in this book are those approved by the United States Board Geographic Names. Sources of information included books, scholarly journals, foreign and domestic newspapers, and numerous periodicals. Measurements are given in the metric system. The Bibliography lists published sources thought to be particularly helpful to the reader.

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