The country has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, with the majority being Sinhalese Buddhists (about 75% of the population), followed by Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, and Muslims.

Sri Lanka was deeply affected by a 26-year-long civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist militant group that fought for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the island. The war resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, large-scale displacement, and significant human rights violations. It ended in May 2009, when the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE.

Since the end of the war, Sri Lanka has experienced economic growth and a boom in tourism. However, the country has also faced political instability, human rights concerns, and economic crises. In 2022, Sri Lanka went bankrupt due to mismanagement, corruption, and the impact of COVID-19 on tourism. This led to mass protests, the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and a severe economic downturn, with shortages of fuel, food, and medicine.

Currently, Sri Lanka is trying to recover with IMF financial aid, economic reforms, and a focus on tourism and foreign investments. However, inflation, unemployment, and debt remain serious challenges, and political tensions are still present.