Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.

The ethnic composition of Sri Lanka is-

(i) Sri Lanka has a diverse population.

(ii) The major social groups are Sinhala speakers74 percent and Tamil speakers 18percent.

(iii) Among Tamils these are two subgroups. Tamil natives of the country are called Sri Lankan Tamils $\displaystyle 13$%. The rest were the Indian Tamils whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers.

(iv) Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country.

(v) Most Sinhala speaking people are Buddhist while most of the Tamils are Hindus, Muslims, or Christians.

(vi) Sinhalese too follow Christianity. Christians constitute $\displaystyle 7$% of the population.