Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026
Sri Lanka is divided into nine provinces, each with its own provincial council and capital city. Here are the provinces of Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean southeast of India. The country is divided into 9 provinces and 25 districts for governance and regional administration. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the official legislative capital, while Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city in Sri Lanka.
The country includes coastal plains, central highlands, tropical forests, rivers, tea-growing mountains, and ancient cultural regions spread across the island. Different provinces are known for tourism, agriculture, tea production, fisheries, manufacturing, and cultural heritage.
Key Facts
- Legislative capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Commercial capital: Colombo
- Total population: 22,500,000 (Official estimate 2025)
- Total area: 65,610 km² (25,332 sq miles)
- Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
- Total Provinces: 9
- Total Districts: 25
List of Provinces and Capitals of Sri Lanka
Total administrative divisions shown: 9 | Combined population: 22,500,000 | Combined area: 65,610 km²
| # | Province Name | Provincial Capital | Geographic Region | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Province | Kandy | Central Highlands | 5,674 | 2,700,000 |
| 2 | Eastern Province | Trincomalee | Eastern Coast | 9,996 | 1,800,000 |
| 3 | Northern Province | Jaffna | Northern Peninsula | 8,884 | 1,350,000 |
| 4 | North Central Province | Anuradhapura | Dry Zone Plains | 10,714 | 1,400,000 |
| 5 | North Western Province | Kurunegala | Western Interior | 7,888 | 2,600,000 |
| 6 | Sabaragamuwa Province | Ratnapura | South-Central Hills | 4,968 | 2,100,000 |
| 7 | Southern Province | Galle | Southern Coast | 5,559 | 2,700,000 |
| 8 | Uva Province | Badulla | Southeastern Highlands | 8,500 | 1,400,000 |
| 9 | Western Province | Colombo | Western Coast | 3,684 | 6,450,000 |
Largest Provinces by Area
- North Central Province - 4,136 sq mi (10,714 km²)
- Eastern Province - 3,859 sq mi (9,996 km²)
- Northern Province - 3,430 sq mi (8,884 km²)
- Uva Province - 3,282 sq mi (8,500 km²)
- North Western Province - 3,046 sq mi (7,888 km²)
- Central Province - 2,191 sq mi (5,674 km²)
- Southern Province - 2,146 sq mi (5,559 km²)
- Sabaragamuwa Province - 1,918 sq mi (4,968 km²)
Most Populous Provinces
- Western Province - Population: 6,450,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Central Province - Population: 2,700,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Southern Province - Population: 2,700,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- North Western Province - Population: 2,600,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Sabaragamuwa Province - Population: 2,100,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Eastern Province - Population: 1,800,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- North Central Province - Population: 1,400,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Uva Province - Population: 1,400,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Provinces by Area
- Western Province - 1,422 sq mi (3,684 km²)
- Sabaragamuwa Province - 1,918 sq mi (4,968 km²)
- Southern Province - 2,146 sq mi (5,559 km²)
- Central Province - 2,191 sq mi (5,674 km²)
- North Western Province - 3,046 sq mi (7,888 km²)
- Uva Province - 3,282 sq mi (8,500 km²)
Provinces by Geographic Grouping
- Central Highlands: Central Province
- Dry Zone Plains: North Central Province
- Eastern Coast: Eastern Province
- Northern Peninsula: Northern Province
- South-Central Hills: Sabaragamuwa Province
- Southeastern Highlands: Uva Province
- Southern Coast: Southern Province
- Western Coast: Western Province
- Western Interior: North Western Province
Provinces with Coastline
- Eastern Province
- Northern Province
- North Western Province
- Southern Province
- Western Province
Landlocked Provinces
- Central Province
- North Central Province
- Sabaragamuwa Province
- Uva Province
Major Economic Activities by Province
| Province | Main Economic Activity | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Western Province | Finance and trade | Colombo and industrial economy |
| Central Province | Tea production and tourism | Hill country and plantations |
| Southern Province | Tourism and fisheries | Beaches and coastal tourism |
| Eastern Province | Agriculture and fishing | Rice cultivation and ports |
| North Central Province | Agriculture | Ancient irrigation systems and farming |
| Sabaragamuwa Province | Gem mining and rubber | Ratnapura gemstone industry |
Important Natural and Cultural Areas
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress: North Central Province
- Temple of the Tooth: Central Province
- Yala National Park: Southern Province and Uva Province
- Galle Fort: Southern Province
- Horton Plains: Central Province
- Jaffna Peninsula: Northern Province
Sources
- Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka
- World Bank - Sri Lanka Data
- CIA World Factbook - Sri Lanka
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Sri Lanka
- Government of Sri Lanka
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Location Map of Asian Countries
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Location of Asian Cities
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