People
Muttiah Muralitharan
Kandy, Sri Lanka
The leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 800 wickets, whose unusual wrist action and spin made him unplayable for many batters.
Born: 1972 · Known for: Spin bowler
Sri Lanka: leaders, famous people, culture and history
3 places on the atlas covering people, language and festivals. Highlights include Muttiah Muralitharan, Sinhala and Vesak.
What is on the atlas
Who leads Sri Lanka?
| President (head of state and government) | Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Sri Lanka’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Sri Lanka
- Anagarika Dharmapala Buddhist revivalist
- Sirimavo Bandaranaike first woman Prime Minister in the world
- Arthur C. Clarke (lived in Sri Lanka) science-fiction writer
- Muttiah Muralitharan cricketer
- Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lankan-born) author
- Kumar Sangakkara cricketer
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
People in Sri Lanka
Language in Sri Lanka
Language
Sinhala
Colombo, Sri Lanka
The language of most Sri Lankans, written in a rounded script. 'Ayubowan' means 'may you live long'.
Say hello: ආයුබෝවන් (Ayubowan) · Script: Sinhala
Festivals in Sri Lanka
Festivals
Vesak
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Buddhists decorate streets with lanterns and light-boxes called thoranas and share free food and drinks with passers-by.
Usually: May · Theme: Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing · Months: May
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Sri Lanka today, a short selection of well-known people from Sri Lanka, and the 3 places pinned for Sri Lanka on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Sri Lanka on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, language page and festivals page.
Questions about Sri Lanka
Who is the leader of Sri Lanka?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Sri Lanka?
Well-known people connected with Sri Lanka include Anagarika Dharmapala (Buddhist revivalist), Sirimavo Bandaranaike (first woman Prime Minister in the world), Arthur C. Clarke (lived in Sri Lanka) (science-fiction writer), Muttiah Muralitharan (cricketer) and Michael Ondaatje (Sri Lankan-born) (author).
Which famous people from Sri Lanka are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Sri Lanka include Muttiah Muralitharan. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What festivals are celebrated in Sri Lanka?
Festivals on the atlas for Sri Lanka include Vesak. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What languages and scripts is Sri Lanka known for?
Language entries for Sri Lanka on the atlas include Sinhala. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Sri Lanka on the map?
Choose See Sri Lanka on the map above, or search for Sri Lanka on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.