What Languages Do They Speak In Sri Lanka?
Explore the languages spoken in Sri Lanka on an interactive map.
Sri Lanka Languages: Quick Facts
Languages
2
Sinhala, Tamil
Population
22,160,000
Cost of living
~ $1040
Index: 20.8
Safety / crime index
Crime Index: 42.2
Language Spoken in Sri Lanka Percentage
| Language | Percentage | Population |
|---|---|---|
SinhalaOfficial | 87% | 19,279,200 |
TamilOfficial | 28.5% | 6,315,600 |
Do They Speak English in Sri Lanka?
English proficiency
Ranked #71 on the EF English Proficiency Index.
In short
You may get by with English in airports, hotels, and larger cities in Sri Lanka, but it becomes less reliable outside those areas. Knowing some Sinhala is strongly recommended.
FAQ
Sri Lanka Language FAQ
Short answers to common questions about the main languages, English usage, and communication in Sri Lanka.
People in Sri Lanka speak Sinhala, Tamil.
Sinhala is the most widely spoken language.
Sinhala is spoken by about 87% of the population in Sri Lanka.
That corresponds to roughly 19,279,200 people.
Only sometimes. English may work in tourist-facing places, but it is safer to know at least some Sinhala.
- What languages do they speak in Sri Lanka?
People in Sri Lanka speak Sinhala, Tamil.
Sinhala is the most widely spoken language.
- How widely spoken is Sinhala in Sri Lanka?
Sinhala is spoken by about 87% of the population in Sri Lanka.
That corresponds to roughly 19,279,200 people.
- Can you get by with English in Sri Lanka?
Only sometimes. English may work in tourist-facing places, but it is safer to know at least some Sinhala.
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