Vegetation Types

The two main factors that influence the natural vegetation of Sri Lanka are soil and
elevation . Due to the interaction of these two factors following eight forest types
can be recognized in the country.
Trees outside forest areas
There are different types of tree resources outside the traditional forest areas.
Home gardens, Coconut plantations, Rubber plantations, shade trees in Tea
plantations, roadside plantations, trees in farmlands and other perennial plantations
provide majority of the industrial timber (more than 70%) and bio fuel (more than
80%) demand of the country.
Rubber, Coconut and Tea
Rubber and coconut plantations supply 13% and 10% of the national sawlog
demand respectively. There are about 158,000 ha. of rubber plantations and
439,000 ha. of coconut plantations in the country. Nearly 30% of the rubber
plantations are mature and could be used for timber. In case of coconut about 35%
of the stock is more than 50 years old and suitable for timber production. There are
about 180,000 ha. of tea plantations in the country and shade trees in these
plantations are often used for timber production.
Animals
Wildlife of Sri Lanka includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Sri
Lanka has one of the highest rates of biological endemism (16% of the fauna and
23% of flowering plants are endemic[1]) in the world.
Ecological zones

The mountains and the southwestern part of the country, known as the "wet zone,"
receive ample rainfall (an annual average of 2500 millimeters). Most of the
southeast, east, and northern parts of the country comprise the "dry zone, which
receives between 1200 and 1900 mm of rain annually.
Agriculture in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka primary form of agriculture is rice production. Rice is cultivated during
Maha and Yala seasons. Tea is cultivated in the central highlands and is a major
source of foreign exchange. Vegetables, fruits and oilseed crops are also cultivated
in the country. There are two Agriculture Parks abbreviated as A.Parks established
by the Department of Agriculture. Out of the total population in Sri Lanka, 31.8%
engages in agricultural activities.
Rice cultivation
Tea plantations
Oilseed Crops
Fruits and Vegetables
Mining
Graphite is Sri Lankas major mineral resource with export potential. Three big
mines at Bogala, Kahatagaha and Kalangaha are exploited, apart from smaller
mines. Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd raised output from its underground mine.
This mine had a capacity to produce 3,500 t/y of high-grade vein graphite.
Substantial deposits of rock phosphate (reserves: 50 Mt) occur in the Eppawala
area. They are to be used for the manufacture of di-ammonium phosphate at a
600,000 t/y capacity plant near Trincomalee port.The State Gem Corp. handles the

rich topaz deposits at Polwatta, near Matale in central Sri Lanka. The privatelyowned Blue Peacock Lapidary on the west coast specialises in importing rough
diamonds, which are cut and polished for export markets. Blue Diamonds, which
runs a large factory with about 1,000 employees, in which the Belgian company,
Rosy Blue NV has a share, is a major exporter of diamonds.

Trade
Commerce and Industry
Compared with the many developing countries in the region, Sri Lanka's economic
potential is high. The island has rich agricultural and mineral resources and is
surrounded by a bountiful sea. Agriculture accounts for about 21% of the GDP and
employs about 38% of the population. Tea, rubber, and coconuts are the principal
crops and the source of about 50% of export earnings. Rice is the major domestic
food grain crop; improved seeds and yields have significantly reduced the need for
rice imports.
Industrial production has grown substantially in recent years and now accounts for
about 20% of the GDP. Garments, many of which are assembled in the free trade
zone located just outside Colombo, account for most of Sri Lanka's exports of
manufactured goods. Roughly 75% of the apparel exported is sent to the U.S.
Other industrial exports include refined petroleum products and precious and semiprecious gems.
Services (i.e., transportation and tourism) and remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad are of
increasing importance to the economy. Colombo's efficient port has become a major cargo transshipment
hub and a significant foreign exchange earner. Tourism, which has been hurt by the security situation,
remains an important source of employment and one of the best hopes for future economic

growth.