Sri Lanka is an island country located off the coast of India. A beautiful country that is sometimes called “the pearl of the Indian Ocean” or “the emerald island”. A large island, bordered by the Indian Ocean, with an area of 65,610 square kilometers. An island territory indeed, but an integral part of the Asian continent. With 22.2 million inhabitants, this country is located in the southeast of the Indian subcontinent.

The most populated cities in Sri Lanka

1. Colombo, the economic capital of the island

This major city of Sri Lanka plays a very important role in the economy of the whole country. Colombo is first and foremost a port city. A real gateway through which a good part of the imported products enters the country. But the port is also the exit route for all goods produced in Sri Lanka. Although with 800,000 inhabitants Colombo occupies the first place in the ranking of the largest cities in Sri Lanka. This city plays a key economic role in the development of the country.

What to do in Colombo?

There is no lack of activities in the largest city of Sri Lanka. During the program, there will be a visit to the national museum, and the independence memorial. And then there is the visit and the discovery of the superb facade of the temple of Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil. The other temple to see in Colombo is undeniably the Gangaramaya temple. Without forgetting the other religion of the island and the discovery of the Jami Ul Alfar Mosque. A red and white building whose architecture is particularly remarkable.

2. Dehiwala – Mount Lavina, one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka

This city is located in the west of the country and counts some 260,000 inhabitants. The second largest city in the country was actually created by the merger of the cities of Mount Lavina and Dehiwala.

This charming coastal town is located in the Western Province, in the district of Colombo. It is a historical town where the British governor’s palace was located during the colonial period. Today this palace is occupied by the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

3. Moratuwa

The third largest city in Sri Lanka is also located near the big city of Colombo. Moratuwa is located in the Western Province, about twenty kilometers south of Colombo and only sixteen kilometers from the administrative capital.

This city has a population of approximately 200,000.

4. Sri Jayawardenapura, formerly Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka

This city is also located in the Western Province and is the administrative capital of the country. In the past, the city was called Kotte, which means fortress. But today the city is called Sri Jayawardenapura, which literally means “the holy fortress that transcends victory”.

Its population is estimated at 170,000 inhabitants. Sri Jayawardenapura has been the capital of this South Asian state since 1982.

5. Negombo

This city is also located in the west of the country, two steps north of the capital. With about 150,000 inhabitants, Negombo is the fifth-largest city in Sri Lanka.

6. Kandy, the religious capital of the country

The population of Kandy is estimated to be around 135,000. This large Sri Lankan city is located in the center of the country at an average altitude of 500 meters.

What to do in Kandy?

This city is the religious capital of the island. Indeed, there are many Buddhist temples all around the city of Kandy. In the center of the city you can find the Ceylon Tea Museum. As a reminder, Ceylon is the old name of Sri Lanka. The other point of interest in Kandy is undoubtedly the botanical garden of Peradeniya. A magical place where you can find many medicinal plants and especially an important collection of orchids.

7. Galle, the big city of the south

This tourist city in the southernmost part of the island was built by the Europeans. It is estimated that the population of the city is more than 100,000.

It should be noted that this city is connected to the capital by a railroad line. It is the Colombo – Matara line.

8. Kalmunai, the big city in the east

This Sri Lankan city is one of the few cities that are not located in the west of the country. With its approximately 100,000 inhabitants, Kalmunai is located in the Eastern Province, in the district of Ampara.

9. Jaffna

With 90,000 inhabitants, this city ranks among the largest cities in Sri Lanka. And if this city rings a bell, it is perhaps because it is the capital of the Northern Province. The part of the island is historically occupied by the Tamils.

10. Vavuniya

This city, which is located inland in the north of the country, has some 85,000 inhabitants. Vavuniya is a city that is located in the Northern Province.