Many countries claim to be the friends of humanity, but real friend is Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, what Sri Lanka is doing for the mankind is unprecedented. The service is in the terms of donors of eyes to more than sixty countries of the world. The follower of the Buddha believes that eye donation is a pious act, because Buddhists have read that lord Buddha in his previous lives donated his eyes. Now they supply more than 2000 eyes per year to the sixty countries. Pakistan is also among the recipients.

Sri Lanka is a tear shaped Island covering an area of 65,610 sq. Km, in the Indian Ocean. It is a democratic republic and a unitary state which is governed by a semi-presidential system with three branches. 

Sri Lanka has a population of over 20000000. Major components of population are Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors. It is a multi-religious country. Buddhists comprise 70 percent of the population. The majority of Sinhalese are Buddhists. Buddhism, introduced in to this island in 247 B.C by Arahat Mahinda, the son of the great Indian Emperor Asoka during the reign of king Devanampiyatissa, has a very strong influence on the lives of all the ancient Sinhalese Kings. Mahinda going forth with four companions to the most excellent and beautiful Island of Sri Lanka Firmly established there the faith and released many people from their fetters. Perhaps this the reason why Buddhism exercised a vital influence on the life and character of the people, shaping their culture and civilisation and providing the focus for their national unity.

While next to the Sinhalese who are the majority community, the Ceylon Tamils settled predominantly in the Northern and Eastern provinces comprise the largest minority. The majority of them are Hindus by religion. The Tamils and their religion, Hinduism wielded great influence the building up the cultural heritage of the Island. Hinduism is the second most prevalent religion in Sri Lanka and predates Buddhism Sri Lanka also came under the direct rule of a foreign power the Chola King, Rajendra I (1014 A.D.) brought the Island under his rule by the enemy camp, the influence of their religion, customs and traditions helped to enrich Sinhala culture.

The Ceylon Moors are the next largest communities in Sri Lanka majority of them are Muslims. Islam is the third most dominant religion in the country. Muslims were first heard of in Sri Lanka from the early 8th century.

According the famous traveler Ibn-e-Batuta who visited the island in the 14th century they are probably the descendants of the Arab traders who came to trade in spices and Gems. Even today some of the most successful traders in Sri Lanka belong to this community. Some Muslims of Tamil and Malaya origin also came in Sri Lanka and settled there. Now the Muslim population is more than 12 lakhs and they are second biggest minority of the country. Muslims in Sri Lanka with their distribution throughout the country and with high concentration in the Eastern province Colombo and Kandy, play a major role in the Sri Lankan society and the national economy. A good majority of Muslims speak both Sinhala and Tamil Languages very fluently.

Muslims are freely enjoying full liberty in exercising their faith and beliefs in Sri Lanka. Christianity reached the country through western colonists in the early 16th century. Around 7.4% of the sir Lankan populations are Christians. Of which 82% are Roman Catholics who trace their religious heritage directly to the Portuguese. The remaining Christians are evenly split between the Anglican Church of Ceylon and other Protestant denominations.

There is also a small population of Zoroastrian immigrants from India (Parsis) who settled in Ceylon during the period of British rule, but this community has steadily dwindled in recent years.Religion plays a prominent role in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The Buddhist majority observe their own holidays.
 Sri Lanka is the third most religious country in the world. 

Diverse educational facilities are available in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has from the mid 40’s a system of free education, the provision of a free mid-day meal in the school system, and provision of free school text books, are perhaps a unique feature of Sri Lanka’s over all general education system. Where in education from the primary classes, and right through university is free with all tuition costs being borne by the government. Its youth literacy rate stands at 98 %, computer literacy rate at 35 %, and primary school enrollment rate over 99 %, an education system which dictates 9 years of compulsory schooling for every child is in place. 

It has attraction for Tourists at the ADAMSPEAK; there is a five feet long print like image on a strong rock. Muslim believe that this is theFoot print of “HAZARAT ADAM” , but the Buddhist call it “SRIPADA” the foot print of the Buddha, and Hindus call it “LORD SIVAN’S” foot print. Sri Lanka has the world’s oldest authenticated tree (The SRI MAHA BODHI TREE) a branch of very bo tree beneath which the Buddha himself found enlightenment. It was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C by their Sangahamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda.

Agriculture is the back bone of the country, Tea, Rice, Rubber and Coconut is important agricultural crops, with tea being the major foreign exchange earner.

Sri Lanka is in a close proximity with Pakistan and is an active member of the SAARC. Both enjoy cordial relations. Sri Lanka is the second biggest trading partner of Pakistan in South Asia.