The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) comprises one large, compact island and several islets, separated from the Indian subcontinent by a strip of sea which at its narrowest point is 40 kilometres wide, and centrally located in the Indian Ocean, lying off the southern tip of India.
Minority and indigenous groups include Sri Lankan Tamils (12.7%) (1981), Indian Tamil (5.5%) (1981) Muslims (7.4%) (1981), Veddhas 2,000 (1981 Census), and Burghers (0.3%) (1981). A census was conducted in 2001 however it was not carried out in 7 districts in the conflict area which are all minority populous area
Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples
