Country Information
Founded: 6th Century BCE (named Sri Lanka in 1972)
Independence (from British control): 1948 (as Ceylon)
Land Area: 65,610 Square Kilometers (slightly larger than West Virginia)
Climate: Tropical Monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Agricultural Land Usability: 14%
Natural Hazards: cyclones and tornados
Environmental issues: deforestation, soil erosion, coastal degradation from mining leads to pollution, freshwater resources heavily polluted by industry and sewage
The People
Population: 20,222,240
Infant Mortality Rate: 14 deaths / 1000 births
Life Expectancy: 73.4 years
Major Diseases: no common risk
Religions: 69% Buddhist, 8% Muslim, 6% Christian
Literacy Rate: 92%
Unemployment rate: 8%
Population below the UN-established Poverty Line: 22% (1997, no current data)
Special Conditions
Constant fighting and “ethnic cleansing” actions have taken a heavy toll on the Muslim population of Sri Lanka.
Currently, the total number of refugees resulting from the actions of the LTTE militant group number 353,000 of both Tamil and non-Tamils; an additional 450,000 are displaced from the 2004 tsunami.
Identifying the Need
The Muslim population of Sri Lanka specifically has been heavily victimized in recent years and is in a high state of need for basic living supplies and services such as food, clothing and assistance in rebuilding their homes.
Additionally, the great number of people who remain displaced from the Tsunami have received limited attention with regard to any concerted efforts to rebuild the infrastructure and homes.
How The Zakat Foundation Has Responded
Ramadan Programs
Since 2004 The Zakat Foundation has been able to provide Iftar meals and food packages to the Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. This aid has been particularly welcomed in recent years because of the almost constant threat of the LTTE group’s militant attacks on the population.
Back to top
Udhiya / Qurbani distribution
In 2005 we were able to begin distributing meats on the Eid al-Adha in Sri Lanka.
Back to top
Emergency Relief Aid from LTTE Assault – 2006
Thousands of Sri Lankan Muslims were displaced from the continued attacks of genocide at the hands of the Tamil Tigers. The Zakat Foundation responded by immediately providing shelter and survival supplies for those who were displaced.
Our effort provided hundreds of families with food, shelter and comfort in a time of absolute tragedy.
Back to top
