Sri Lanka officially the State of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in South-Central Asia. Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with India and the Maldives. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea; and separated from peninsular India by the Palk Strait.
Where is Sri Lanka on the World Map
Sri Lanka Map
Where is Sri Lanka Located?
The given Sri Lanka location map shows that Sri Lanka is located in the South Asia. Sri Lanka map also illustrates that Sri Lanka is an island country separated by Indian sub-continent through maritime boundary Pak Strait. Likewise, the entire country lies in the Indian Ocean. Above all, due to its location, it is geo-strategically very significant because it lies in the naval route between the south-east Asia and west Asia.
The country has evidences of a long and colorful history of more than three thousand years old corroborated with one of the longest documented histories of the world. However, at present, the government type of Sri Lanka is a republic and a unitary state which is governed by a semi-presidential system. The official seat of government is situated in the capital city Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte.
Besides, Sri Lanka is a founding member of SAARC and also a member United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, and G77. The economy of the country is largely depends upon the plantation agriculture. The significant crops are tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber and cinnamon. Moreover, the natural beauty of Sri Lanka is integrated with the title The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Besides, the country has white beaches and diverse landscapes with rich biodiversity laden with lush tropical forests.
What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital city of Sri Lanka. It is located in the southwestern part of the country. It's lies between latitue of 6.8868° N and longitude of 79.9187° E. It has a population of 115,826, covers an area of 17 km2 (7 sq mi).
Provinces of Sri Lanka
| Province | Capital | Population | Area (Sq km / mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | Kandy | 2,571,557 | 5,674 / 2,176 |
| Eastern | Trincomalee | 1,551,381 | 9,996 / 3,861 |
| Northern | Jaffna | 1,061,315 | 8,884 / 3,429 |
| North Central | Anuradhapura | 1,266,663 | 10,472 / 3,974 |
| North Western | Kurunegala | 2,592,984 | 7,812 / 3,014 |
| Sabaragamuwa | Ratnapura | 1,928,655 | 4,968 / 1,902 |
| Southern | Galle | 2,477,285 | 5,559 / 2,150 |
| Uva | Badulla | 1,259,880 | 8,500 / 3,283 |
| Western | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | 5,821,710 | 3,684 / 1,421 |
Districts of Sri Lanka
| District | Province | Capital | Population | Area (Sq mi / km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ampara | Eastern | Ampara | 648,057 | 1,724 / 4,466 |
| Anuradhapura | North Central | Anuradhapura | 860,575 | 2,745 / 7,128 |
| Badulla | Uva | Badulla | 815,405 | 1,111 / 2,876 |
| Batticaloa | Eastern | Batticaloa | 525,142 | 1,009 / 2,610 |
| Colombo | Western | Colombo | 2,324,349 | 270 / 699 |
| Galle | Southern | Galle | 1,063,334 | 634 / 1,642 |
| Gampaha | Western | Gampaha | 2,304,833 | 533 / 1,380 |
| Hambantota | Southern | Hambantota | 599,565 | 1,005 / 2,604 |
| Jaffna | Northern | Jaffna | 583,882 | 389 / 1,007 |
| Kalutara | Western | Kalutara | 1,219,684 | 617 / 1,598 |
| Kandy | Central | Kandy | 1,375,382 | 747 / 1,934 |
| Kegalle | Sabaragamuwa | Kegalle | 840,648 | 654 / 1,693 |
| Kilinochchi | Northern | Kilinochchi | 113,510 | 485 / 1,255 |
| Kurunegala | North Western | Kurunegala | 1,618,465 | 1,816 / 4,704 |
| Mannar | Northern | Mannar | 99,051 | 768 / 1,988 |
| Matale | Central | Matale | 515,963 | 769 / 1,993 |
| Matara | Southern | Matara | 814,048 | 492 / 1,274 |
| Monaragala | Uva | Monaragala | 451,058 | 2,148 / 5,563 |
| Mullaitivu | Northern | Mullaitivu | 92,238 | 964 / 2,496 |
| Nuwara Eliya | Central | Nuwara Eliya | 711,644 | 673 / 1,741 |
| Polonnaruwa | North Central | Polonnaruwa | 403,335 | 1,270 / 3,287 |
| Puttalam | North Western | Puttalam | 760,778 | 1,159 / 3,000 |
| Ratnapura | Sabaragamuwa | Ratnapura | 1,082,277 | 1,275 / 3,304 |
| Trincomalee | Eastern | Trincomalee | 378,182 | 1,024 / 2,652 |
| Vavuniya | Northern | Vavuniya | 172,778 | 760 / 1,967 |
Sri Lanka Country Facts
| Official Name | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | South Asia |
| Coordinates | 7.8731° N, 80.7718° E |
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte |
| Largest City | Colombo |
| Administrative Divisions | 9 provinces and 25 districts |
| National Day | 4 February (Independence Day) |
| Total Area | 65,610 km² (25,330 sq mi) |
| Land Area | 64,630 km² |
| Water Area | 980 km² (about 1.5%) |
| Coastline | 1,340 km (833 mi) |
| Highest Point | Pidurutalagala - 2,524 m (8,281 ft) |
| Lowest Point | Indian Ocean (0 m) |
| Neighboring Countries | Maritime borders with India and the Maldives |
| Population (2024 Est.) | 22.2 million |
| Population Density | 340 people per km² |
| Official Languages | Sinhala, Tamil |
| Link Language | English |
| Major Religions | Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity |
| Currency | Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) |
| Time Zone | UTC +5:30 (Sri Lanka Standard Time) |
| Calling Code | +94 |
| ISO Alpha-2 Code | LK |
| ISO Alpha-3 Code | LKA |
| Internet TLD | .lk |
| GDP (Nominal, 2024 Est.) | Approximately USD 90-95 billion |
| GDP Per Capita (2024 Est.) | Approximately USD 4,200 |
| Major Airports | Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) |
| Major Seaports | Port of Colombo, Port of Hambantota, Trincomalee Harbour, Port of Galle, Kankesanthurai Harbour, Oluvil Harbour |
| Form of Government | Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic |
| National Animal | Sri Lankan Elephant |
| National Bird | Sri Lanka Junglefowl |
| National Flower | Blue Water Lily |
| Natural Resources | Gemstones, graphite, mineral sands, limestone, clay, hydropower |
Top Places to Visit to Sri Lanka
- Colombo - Commercial capital known for colonial landmarks, shopping, nightlife, and cultural attractions.
- Kandy - Sacred city home to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and scenic hill surroundings.
- Sigiriya - Ancient rock fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning frescoes and views.
- Anuradhapura - Historic city featuring ancient stupas, monasteries, and sacred Buddhist sites.
- Polonnaruwa - Well-preserved medieval capital with temples, statues, and archaeological ruins.
- Nuwara Eliya - Hill station famous for tea plantations, cool climate, and colonial architecture.
- Ella - Popular mountain village known for waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic train journeys.
- Galle - Coastal city with the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort and charming colonial streets.
- Mirissa - Beach destination famous for whale watching, surfing, and sunsets.
- Yala National Park - Wildlife park renowned for leopards, elephants, and diverse bird species.
- Udawalawe National Park - Best place to see elephants in their natural habitat.
- Trincomalee - Eastern coastal city known for pristine beaches and natural harbors.
- Arugam Bay - Internationally known surfing hotspot on Sri Lanka’s east coast.
- Dambulla - Cave temple complex with ancient Buddhist murals and statues.
- Hikkaduwa - Popular beach town known for coral reefs, snorkeling, and nightlife.
10 Largest Cities in Sri Lanka
| City | District | Province | Population | sq km | sq Mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo | Colombo | Western | 752,993 | 37 | 14 |
| Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia | Colombo | Western | 245,974 | 21 | 8 |
| Moratuwa | Colombo | Western | 207,755 | 23 | 9 |
| Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte | Colombo | Western | 135,806 | 17 | 7 |
| Negombo | Gampaha | Western | 127,754 | 31 | 12 |
| Kandy | Kandy | Central | 125,351 | 27 | 10 |
| Kalmunai | Ampara | Eastern | 106,783 | 23 | 9 |
| Vavuniya | Vavuniya | Northern | 99,653 | ||
| Galle | Galle | Southern | 99,478 | 17 | 7 |
| Trincomalee | Trincomalee | Eastern | 99,135 |
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