What is the language of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has two official languages, Sinhala and Tamil. English also works as a recognised link language, and it is widely heard across the country, especially in state institutions, trade, and international tourism areas.

Sinhala is the most widely spoken language, used mainly by the Sinhalese majority in the south, west, and central zones of the island. Tamil is used by the Tamil and Moor communities, and it is mostly found in the northern and eastern provinces. For people visiting from abroad, English is common enough in hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites that getting around is usually not a problem. Even so, learning a handful of everyday greetings in Sinhala (“Ayubowan”) or Tamil (“Vanakkam”) is warmly welcomed by locals, and it really makes the whole cultural experience richer and more personal.