Difference Between SLST (Sri Lanka Standard Time) and IST (Indian Standard Time)

SLST (Sri Lanka Standard Time) vs IST (Indian Standard Time) | New Standard Time in Sri Lanka | SLST vs IST

 
Both SLST (Sri Lanka Standard Time) and IST (India Standard Time) are two time regions in the South Asian region, and there is actually no difference in time between SLST and IST. Sri Lanka was following IST (UTC+5.30) and recently changed to Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST). Sri Lanka Standard Time is being synchronized so as to minimize difficulties faced due to contradicting times being displayed by institutions and persons. However, SLST is also the same as IST, which is UTC + 5.30. UTC is the Coordinated Universal Time, which is determined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. UTC is important as all the time zones in the world declare themselves based on the UTC time. Sri Lanka and India both lie in the same longitude almost; New Delhi lies in 29°38’N and 77°17’N, and Colombo lies in 6°56’N and 79°51’N. Therefore, they are both in the same time zone.

What is IST?

IST stands for India Standard Time. This is also known as India Time. India Standard Time is UTC + 5.30. This is a time zone that has been there for a long time. There is a lack of seasonal changes in India as India is a country close to the equator. As a result, India does not need to follow any Daylight Saving Time.

As India is a huge country, sometimes there are some problems for people living in different areas as they have sunrise at different times. For example, the states along the eastern border, sometimes, seem to have sunrise almost two hours earlier than the states in the far west. However, though there are these actual time differences people experience, so far, the Indian Government has refused to split the country into several time zones. So, IST is for the whole of India. Maybe, in the future, the government may consider creating several time zones within the country for the convenience of some states.

What is SLST?

SLST stands for Sri Lanka Standard Time. Sri Lanka was following India Standard Time (IST) (UTC+5.30) in the past. However, by now, Sri Lanka has changed to Sri Lanka Standard Time (SLST). In 2011, the then President of Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, declared this from 11th April 2011 midnight. SLST is also the same as IST, which is UTC + 5.30.

In the past too, Sri Lanka was following UTC time limits. However, in 1996, Sri Lanka Standard Time was changed to GMT+ 06:30 hours. This time change was done for daylight saving purposes. This was done due to a severe power shortage Sri Lanka was experiencing at that time. There were several hours of power cuts every day and, to make matters easier for the citizens, this method was followed. However, that is no longer in practice, and currently Sri Lanka is not following any daylight saving time.

By now, Sri Lanka Standard Time is being synchronized so as to minimize difficulties faced due to contradicting times being displayed by institutions and persons. SLST is maintained under the section 6 of the Measurement Units, Standards, and Services Act No.35 of 1995.

What is the difference between SLST (Sri Lanka Standard Time) and IST (Indian Standard Time)?

Definitions of SLST and IST:

SLST: SLST stands for Sri Lanka Standard Time, which is the standard time that is followed in Sri Lanka.

IST: IST stands for India Standard Time, which is the standard time that is followed in India. It is also known as IT which is India Time.

Time Difference:

There is no time difference between SLST and IST.

Time Related to UTC:

SLST: SLST is UTC + 5.30.

IST: IST is UTC + 5.30.

 

Images Courtesy: IST in relation with the bordering nations via Wikicommons (Public Domain)