# Batticaloa District, Eastern Province – DS divisions > Source: https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/ District · Eastern Province # Batticaloa District Batticaloa District is a district of Sri Lanka in Eastern Province. It had an estimated **582,000 people** in 2023 on 2,480 km² (about 235 per km²). It is divided into 14 DS divisions. 290 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 717 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 582,000people (2023) - 2,480km² - 14DS divisions - 717mapped services ## How many people live in Batticaloa District? Batticaloa District had an estimated **582,000 people** in 2023 — 32.8% of Eastern Province, 17th of 25 districts. There are 1,101 women for every 1,000 men (above the Eastern Province figure of 1,065). Spread over 2,480 km², that is about **235 people per km²**, 16th of 25 districts. 30.7% of people are children under 15 and 4.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 25 years (it is 26 across Eastern Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 55 children and older people. 0–4 ****56,744** 5–9 ****60,965** 10–14 ****61,203** 15–19 ****60,464** 20–24 ****49,601** 25–29 ****45,458** 30–34 ****45,503** 35–39 ****37,621** 40–44 ****34,738** 45–49 ****32,576** 50–54 ****29,381** 55–59 ****23,383** 60–64 ****17,906** 65–69 ****11,458** 70–74 ****7,255** 75–79 ****4,452** 80+ ****3,292** Source: [Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka via OCHA HDX, population estimates 2023 (COD-PS, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ps-lka). ## Where is Batticaloa District? Batticaloa District lies in [Eastern Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/), [Sri Lanka](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/). It borders 3 other districts: [Ampara District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/ampara/), [Polonnaruwa District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/) and [Trincomalee District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/trincomalee/). By area it is the 12th largest of 25 districts in Sri Lanka. It covers 25.7% of [Eastern Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/). The centre of Batticaloa District is about 197 km in a straight line from Colombo, the commercial capital. It is about 84 km from Trincomalee, the main town of Eastern Province. The centre point is at 7.8342° N, 81.3855° E. Local names: මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්‍රි · மட்டக்களப்பு மாவட . Source: [Survey Department of Sri Lanka via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-lka). ## DS divisions of Batticaloa District Divisional Secretariat division Area km² GN divisions Services [Eravur Pattu DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/eravur-pattu/) 599 47 180 [Eravur Town DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/eravur-town/) 1.9 13 16 [Kattankudy DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/kattankudy/) 3.9 20 18 [Koralai Pattu DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/koralai-pattu/) 31 16 66 [Koralai Pattu Central DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/koralai-pattu-central/) 8.0 14 15 [Koralai Pattu North DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/koralai-pattu-north/) 516 16 36 [Koralai Pattu South DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/koralai-pattu-south/) 598 18 41 [Koralai Pattu West DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/koralai-pattu-west/) 23 8 7 [Manmunai North DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/manmunai-north/) 46 48 197 [Manmunai Pattu DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/manmunai-pattu/) 25 28 12 [Manmunai South & Eruvil Pattu DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/manmunai-south-eruvil-pattu/) 44 47 22 [Manmunai South West DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/manmunai-south-west/) 145 25 32 [Manmunai West DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/manmunai-west/) 281 24 45 [Porativu Pattu DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/porativu-pattu/) 159 44 30 Source: [Survey Department of Sri Lanka via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-lka); [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/); [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/). ## Largest towns in Batticaloa District - Batticaloa86,742 - Eravur Town22,982 - Vakarai21,000 Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/). Populations as recorded in GeoNames, which may be older than the estimates above. ## Landscape and landmarks of Batticaloa District Named natural and historic features inside Batticaloa District, from the GeoNames gazetteer. ### Water 107 reservoirs and tanks; 71 rivers and streams; 1 lake. - Alan Kulam - Alvan Kulam - Ambankoil Kulam - Ambawinne Ela - Anaisuddakaddu Kulam - Andella Oya - Anoeman Theertham - Avasawe Kulam - Bammeville Wewa - Bayan Kulam - Bodigoda Aru - Bodigoda Wewa - Bogath Wewa - Bulatlebbe Aru - Chinattiaveli Kulam - Chippimadu Aru - Divilane Kulam - Graal Odai - Harakagala Wewa - Ibbannewile Wewa - Kaddu Murivlikulam Wewa - Kadiraveli Aru - Kadukkaimunai Kulam - Kalaniamadu Tank …and 155 more. ### Coast and islands 3 islands; 3 headlands; 1 beach; 1 bay; 1 lagoon. - Batticaloa Lake - Buffalo Island - Challitivumunai - Chenganan Point - Elephant Point - Keelikudah - Mantheevu - Pulavikuda Bay - Serayativu ### Hills and mountains 6 hills; 1 mountain. - Uragoda · 86 m - Balagala · 73 m - Koggalagala · 73 m - Wessibendagala · 71 m - Puluganawamalai · 39 m - Chenaiputimalai · 18 m - Kotiyagala · 16 m ### Forests and nature 23 forests; 2 forest reserves. - Aandankulam - Anaisuddakaddukulam - Arian Veli - Baron’s Cap Forest Reserve - Kanohunankudah - Karamunai - Karuvalpody - Keelikudah - Koolavadichenai - Koralai Forest Reserve - Mevandakulam - Omadiyamadu - Palayadithona - Panchakallu - Panichchankerni - Pirappatyadimadu - Pullaiyar Adi - Punanai North - Samalayadipothanai - Samathankerni - Suruppukerni Thotum - Thennaidikudah - Thiraimadu - Vadamunai …and 1 more. ### History 2 ruins. - Motagala - Tongal Ruins ### Estates 95 estates; 27 estates; 8 oil-palm estates. - Addigari Villu - Aiyiliyadichchenai - Alankerni - Alankulam - Alankulam - Ambalam - Amirthakaly - Anaivananaki - Anaivilunthamadu - Arumugathakudiyiruppu - Aththuvaddai - Bombre Estate - Easter Seaton - Ellukkalai - Hardy Thotum - Hardy Thotum - Haven Estate - Hyderabad Estate - Illukkpam - Illupaiyadimunmari - Jayanthipuram - Kaddayadimadu - Kaduhukothinachenai - Kalkudah …and 106 more. ### Getting around 1 airport; 1 railway halt; 1 bridge; 1 lighthouse. - Batticaloa Airport - Batticaloa Lighthouse - Lady Manning Bridge - Vakaneri Source: [GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) — settlements, natural and historic features](https://www.geonames.org/). Places of worship are not listed. Elevations are from the GeoNames terrain model and are approximate. ## Weather in Batticaloa District and the best time to visit In Batticaloa District, the warmest month is May (average 29 °C) and the coolest is Jan (25 °C). About 1,664 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Dec (331 mm) and the driest Jun (35 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **February to March**. - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Month Average °C Rain mm Jan 25 152 Feb 26 113 Mar 27 86 Apr 28 120 May 29 106 Jun 28 35 Jul 28 37 Aug 29 50 Sep 29 80 Oct 28 222 Nov 26 331 Dec 25 331 Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/). ## Hospitals, banks and other services in Batticaloa District Places mapped inside Batticaloa District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations. - Hospitals56 - Banks52 - ATMs2 - Petrol pumps14 - Hotels123 - Shopping malls1 - Schools282 - Colleges and universities63 - Cinemas9 - Pharmacies6 - Restaurants84 - Police stations20 - Dental clinics5 Source: [Overture Maps places (CDLA-Permissive-2.0) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)](https://overturemaps.org/). Coverage depends on what has been mapped; contact details are not shown. ## Batticaloa in history The 11th edition of the *Encyclopaedia Britannica* (1911) described Batticaloa as follows. Its wording reflects its time; spellings are as printed. > BATTICALOA, the provincial capital of the eastern province of Ceylon, on the E. coast, 69 m. S.S.E. of Trincomalee, situated on an island in lat. 7° 44′ N. and long. 81° 52′ E. It is of importance for its haven and the adjacent salt lagoons. The population of the town in 1901 was 9969; of the district (2872 sq. m.) 143,161. The old Dutch fort dates from 1682. Rice and cocoanuts are the two staples of the district, and steamers trading round the island call regularly at the port. The lagoon is famous for its “singing fish,” supposed to be shell-fish which give forth musical notes. The district has a remnant of Veddahs or wild men of the wood. The average annual rainfall is 55 in.; the average temperature 80.4° F. Source: [Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition (1911) — public domain; transcription via Wikisource](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica). Boundaries in 1901 may differ from today's; sentences describing castes or communities are omitted. ## Quick answers - Where is Batticaloa District?In Eastern Province, Sri Lanka - What is the population of Batticaloa District?582,000 (2023 estimate) - What is the median age in Batticaloa District?About 25 years (2023 estimate) - What is the population density of Batticaloa District?About 235 people per km² - What borders Batticaloa District?Ampara District, Polonnaruwa District and Trincomalee District - What is the largest town in Batticaloa District?Batticaloa - How many reservoirs and tanks are in Batticaloa District?107 named in GeoNames - What is the highest point in Batticaloa District?Uragoda (86 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit Batticaloa District?February to March - How many hospitals are in Batticaloa District?56 mapped - How many banks are in Batticaloa District?52 mapped - How many ATMs are in Batticaloa District?2 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in Batticaloa District?14 mapped - What is the P-code of Batticaloa District?LK51 (OCHA common operational dataset)