However, large parts of the economy have suffered severe dislocation - in particular, the tourist industry which was once the most promising sector of all has declined. The overall effects have been most apparent in the high level of unemployment and the large budget deficit.
Agriculture sustains most of the working population.
The main cash crops are tea, rubber and coconuts, which provide over 75 per cent of export earnings. Rice is grown mainly for domestic consumption. Forestry and fishing are also important. The main industrial sectors are mining and manufacturing. In the former case, gemstones and graphite are the principal minerals.