# North Central Province, Sri Lanka – Districts & Population

> Source: https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/

Province · Sri Lanka 

# North Central Province

North Central Province is a province of Sri Lanka. It had an estimated **1,395,000 people** in 2023 on 10,688 km² (about 131 per km²). Its main town is Anuradhapura. It is divided into 2 districts. 1,510 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 1,260 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools.

- 1,395,000people (2023)
- 10,688km²
- 2districts
- 1,260mapped services

## How many people live in North Central Province?

North Central Province had an estimated **1,395,000 people** in 2023 — 6.3% of Sri Lanka, 8th of 9 provinces. The 2012 census counted 1,266,663, so the population has changed by +10.1% since. There are 1,039 women for every 1,000 men (below the Sri Lanka figure of 1,065). Spread over 10,688 km², that is about **131 people per km²**, 8th of 9 provinces.

26.6% of people are children under 15 and 5.5% are 65 or older; the median age is about 30 years (it is 31 across Sri Lanka). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 47 children and older people.

0–4 ****137,324**

5–9 ****123,401**

10–14 ****110,519**

15–19 ****110,952**

20–24 ****105,867**

25–29 ****110,479**

30–34 ****123,560**

35–39 ****104,723**

40–44 ****95,394**

45–49 ****89,712**

50–54 ****82,705**

55–59 ****69,591**

60–64 ****54,490**

65–69 ****31,072**

70–74 ****20,251**

75–79 ****13,165**

80+ ****11,795**

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 North Central Province?

North Central Province lies in [Sri Lanka](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/). It borders 4 other provinces: [Central Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/central/), [Eastern Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/), [North Western Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-western/) and [Northern Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/northern/). By area it is the largest of 9 provinces in Sri Lanka. It covers 16.2% of [Sri Lanka](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/). The centre of North Central Province is about 165 km in a straight line from Colombo, the commercial capital. The centre point is at 8.2814° N, 80.4849° E. Local names: උතුරු මැද පළාත · வட மத்திய மாகாணம் .

Source: [Survey Department of Sri Lanka via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-lka).

## Districts of North Central Province

District People per km² Area km² DS divisions Services 

[Anuradhapura District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/anuradhapura/) 950,000 132 7,218 22 915 

[Polonnaruwa District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/) 445,000 128 3,470 7 345 

Source: [Survey Department of Sri Lanka via OCHA HDX, administrative boundaries (COD-AB, CC BY-IGO)](https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-lka); [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).

## Largest towns in North Central Province

- Anuradhapura60,943
- Polonnaruwa13,900
- Mihintale5,000

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 North Central Province

Named natural and historic features inside North Central Province, from the GeoNames gazetteer.

### Water

1,622 reservoirs and tanks; 159 rivers and streams; 1 lake; 1 dam.

- Acharigama Wewa
- Adampan Kulam
- Adampana Wewa
- Addetkalle Wewa
- Aduppan Oya
- Agare Wewa
- Aggala Wan Oya
- Akkara Wewa
- Akkara Wewa
- Akkarapotane Wewa
- Aladimurippu Kulam
- Alan Kulam
- Alankulama Wewa
- Alankulama Wewa
- Alapat Wewa
- Alapath Wewa
- Alawa Wewa
- Ali Adi Odai
- Aliawa Wewa
- Alikimbula Ela
- Aliyagale Wewa
- Aliyawetuna Wewa
- Aliyawetunu Wewa
- Aliyawetunu Wewa

…and 1,759 more.

### Hills and mountains

60 hills; 7 mountains.

- Ritigala · 672 m
- Gunners Quoin · 525 m
- Gallindakanda · 313 m
- Sangilimalai · 295 m
- Inamaluwa · 286 m
- Pahatawa · 259 m
- Kandurakanda Number One · 258 m
- Kandurakanda Number Two · 252 m
- Kahatagashinna · 247 m
- Ranawe Kanda · 247 m
- Karandaka · 232 m
- Manawewakanda · 218 m
- Weddakanda · 217 m
- Mahamorakanda · 215 m
- Galsiyambalahinna · 205 m
- Hiriwaduna · 203 m
- Ratmale Kanda · 179 m
- Kinihirikanda · 176 m
- Elagamuwa · 174 m
- Kotahinna · 171 m
- Moragahakanda · 171 m
- Giritala · 168 m
- Pimburugalahinna · 168 m
- Minneriya · 166 m

…and 43 more.

### Forests and nature

150 forests; 9 forest reserves; 1 nature reserve; 1 park; 1 garden.

- Adampane
- Aluthgama
- Andiyagala
- Anuradhapura Preservation Scheme
- Atamba Oya
- Baduwewa
- Bambarahela
- Bandaragama
- Bellankadawela
- Berawayagama
- Beriwila
- Dabalaslyambalawa
- Damanaulpota Galawala Kema
- Dambaulpatha
- Demala Hammillewa
- Dematagahaulpota
- Dickwewa
- Diwulwewa
- Doramadalewa
- Ellewewa
- Etakaduwa Proposed Forest Reserve
- Galahitiyagama
- Galebe
- Galegoda

…and 138 more.

### History

12 ruins; 8 ancient sites; 2 historic sites.

- Abhayagiriya
- Asokaramana
- Dimbulagala Archaeological Reserve
- Galbendi Neeravia Ruins
- Kadigala
- Kanthaka Chetiya
- Kolunruppe Ruins
- Kopakulama
- Kuttam Pokuna
- Maha Kirilagala
- Mangala Maduwa
- Moragoda Ruins
- Pattirippuwa
- Ratnaprasada
- Relapana
- Samadhi Pilimaya
- Sandakada Pahana
- Tantirimalai Archaeological Reserve
- Valgaha Pathaha Ruins
- Veherahandigala
- Vijanarama Dagoba
- Watadage

### Estates

233 estates; 7 estates.

- Achariyakulama
- Aliwanguwa
- Allamweli
- Aluth Punchikulama
- Aluthabendiwewa
- Aluthwewa
- Aluthwewa
- Aluthwewa
- Amanakatuwa
- Amanakkattuwa
- Ambu Wewu
- Amunewewa
- Amunubendawewa
- Araluwewa
- Arunagama
- Ataweerawewa
- Athdathbendiwawa
- Aturuwella
- Badahelawewa
- Badugama
- Baduwewa
- Bandiyalankulama
- Bathalanwala
- Berandiyagama

…and 216 more.

### Getting around

6 railway stations; 4 railway halts; 2 airports.

- Alutoya
- Galella
- Galoya Junction
- Habarane
- Hingurakgoda Minneriya Airport
- Kekirawa
- Manampitiya
- Medawachchiya
- Minneriya
- Negama
- Polonnaruwa
- SLAF Anuradhapura

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 North Central Province and the best time to visit

In North Central Province, the warmest month is Apr (average 28 °C) and the coolest is Jan (24 °C). About 1,364 mm of rain falls in a year; the wettest month is Nov (279 mm) and the driest Jun (24 mm). The most comfortable months for a visit are **January to March, June and September**.

- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec

Month Average °C Rain mm 

Jan 24 89 

Feb 25 69 

Mar 27 68 

Apr 28 118 

May 28 98 

Jun 28 24 

Jul 28 29 

Aug 28 52 

Sep 28 74 

Oct 27 220 

Nov 26 279 

Dec 25 244 

Source: [NASA POWER climatology, retrieved 2026-10-29](https://power.larc.nasa.gov/).

## Hospitals, banks and other services in North Central Province

Places mapped inside North Central Province in open map data, by type.

- Hospitals62
- Banks76
- ATMs16
- Petrol pumps37
- Hotels583
- Shopping malls11
- Schools177
- Colleges and universities61
- Cinemas8
- Pharmacies14
- Restaurants187
- Police stations26
- Dental clinics2

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.

## Quick answers

- Where is North Central Province?In Sri Lanka
- What is the population of North Central Province?1,395,000 (2023 estimate)
- What is the median age in North Central Province?About 30 years (2023 estimate)
- What is the population density of North Central Province?About 131 people per km²
- What borders North Central Province?Central Province, Eastern Province, North Western Province and Northern Province
- What is the largest town in North Central Province?Anuradhapura
- How many reservoirs and tanks are in North Central Province?1,622 named in GeoNames
- What is the highest point in North Central Province?Ritigala (672 m, GeoNames elevation model)
- What is the best time to visit North Central Province?January to March, June and September
- How many hospitals are in North Central Province?62 mapped
- How many banks are in North Central Province?76 mapped
- How many ATMs are in North Central Province?16 mapped
- How many petrol pumps are in North Central Province?37 mapped
- What is the P-code of North Central Province?LK7 (OCHA common operational dataset)