ABSTRACT
Sri Lanka is a large island connected to the Indian subcontinent by Adam’s Bridge, a chain of shoals. Sri Lanka’s high-grade amorphous graphite is famous in international markets. Sri Lanka has an agrarian economy with limited industry, and mineral fuels and manufactured products are imported. In 1975 oil imports were 1.5 million tons valued at $170 million. Sri Lanka’s State Graphite Corp., State Gem Corp., and State Mineral Sand Co. control its three main mineral industries. Graphite exports had a difficult year in 1975 because of the world recession. Sri Lanka’s main port and capital is Colombo. Sri Lanka has no producing oil or gas wells. Sri Lanka has opened its continental shelf to international tenders for production-sharing contracts for exploration and development of oil and natural gas. India is helping to build Sri Lanka’s first ammonia urea project at Sapugaskanda.
