# Polonnaruwa District, North Central Province – DS divisions > Source: https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/ District · North Central Province # Polonnaruwa District Polonnaruwa District is a district of Sri Lanka in North Central Province. It had an estimated **445,000 people** in 2023 on 3,470 km² (about 128 per km²). It is divided into 7 DS divisions. 220 named villages and localities are recorded here, and 345 mapped services such as hospitals, banks and schools. - 445,000people (2023) - 3,470km² - 7DS divisions - 345mapped services ## How many people live in Polonnaruwa District? Polonnaruwa District had an estimated **445,000 people** in 2023 — 31.9% of North Central Province, 20th of 25 districts. There are 1,023 women for every 1,000 men (below the North Central Province figure of 1,039). Spread over 3,470 km², that is about **128 people per km²**, 20th of 25 districts. 26.1% of people are children under 15 and 5.8% are 65 or older; the median age is about 30 years (it is 30 across North Central Province). For every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 47 children and older people. 0–4 ****42,580** 5–9 ****38,941** 10–14 ****34,760** 15–19 ****35,096** 20–24 ****32,836** 25–29 ****35,664** 30–34 ****38,433** 35–39 ****32,974** 40–44 ****30,736** 45–49 ****29,590** 50–54 ****26,727** 55–59 ****22,898** 60–64 ****17,886** 65–69 ****11,071** 70–74 ****6,818** 75–79 ****4,325** 80+ ****3,665** 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 Polonnaruwa District? Polonnaruwa District lies in [North Central Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/), [Sri Lanka](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/). It borders 5 other districts: [Ampara District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/ampara/), [Anuradhapura District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/anuradhapura/), [Batticaloa District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/batticaloa/), [Matale District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/central/matale/) and [Trincomalee District](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/eastern/trincomalee/). By area it is the 5th largest of 25 districts in Sri Lanka. It covers 32.5% of [North Central Province](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/). The centre of Polonnaruwa District is about 177 km in a straight line from Colombo, the commercial capital. It is about 79 km from Anuradhapura, the main town of North Central Province. The centre point is at 7.9939° N, 81.0506° E. Local names: පොළොන්නරුව දිස්ත් · பொலன்னறுவை மாவட்ட . 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 Polonnaruwa District Divisional Secretariat division Area km² GN divisions Services [Dimbulagala DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/dimbulagala/) 586 56 23 [Elahera DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/elahera/) 366 28 7 [Higurakgoda DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/higurakgoda/) 705 53 89 [Lankapura DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/lankapura/) 197 28 6 [Medirigiriya DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/medirigiriya/) 573 45 12 [Thamankaduwa DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/thamankaduwa/) 467 55 198 [Welikanda DS Division](https://wherepedia.org/sri-lanka/north-central/polonnaruwa/welikanda/) 574 30 10 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 Polonnaruwa District - Polonnaruwa13,900 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 Polonnaruwa District Named natural and historic features inside Polonnaruwa District, from the GeoNames gazetteer. ### Water 240 reservoirs and tanks; 82 rivers and streams; 1 lake; 1 dam. - Adampan Kulam - Agare Wewa - Aggala Wan Oya - Akkarapotane Wewa - Alan Kulam - Alankulama Wewa - Ali Adi Odai - Alikimbula Ela - Alut Oya - Alut Wewa - Alut Wewa - Alut Wewa - Alut Wewa - Alut Wewa - Alut Wewa - Aluth Wewa - Aluth Wewa - Aluth Wewa - Ambagaha Oya - Ambagas Wewa - Amban Ganga - Anandapotane Wewa - Angune Wewa - Arachchi Wewa …and 300 more. ### Hills and mountains 14 hills; 2 mountains. - Gunners Quoin · 525 m - Gallindakanda · 313 m - Pahatawa · 259 m - Mahamorakanda · 215 m - Moragahakanda · 171 m - Giritala · 168 m - Minneriya · 166 m - Talbediakanda · 148 m - Karapola Kanda · 142 m - Sudukanda Number One · 140 m - Watugahahinna · 138 m - Napandurakanda · 137 m - Batu Oya Kanda · 136 m - Mahamanagala · 60 m - Kapuraththalagala · 49 m - Galkanda · 47 m ### Forests and nature 28 forests; 4 forest reserves. - Atamba Oya - Beriwila - Ellewewa - Galoya Proposed Forest Reserve - Galwetikanda - Hinguruattawila - Hurulu Forest Reserve - Ihala Ellewewa - Kadawatamadu - Kadurugaswewa - Kalinga Nuwara - Kalukelewa - Karakolapitiya - Kohombaeliya - Kondara - Madirankulam - Minneriya Proposed Forest Reserve - Muwapetigewela - Nadumathurai - Pachchakaduchena - Pachchakoduchena - Palaiadimadu - Pattawachchenai - Puliadipattiya …and 8 more. ### History 1 ruin; 1 ancient site; 1 historic site. - Dimbulagala Archaeological Reserve - Valgaha Pathaha Ruins - Watadage ### Estates 24 estates. - Allamweli - Dewilamulla - Diggalamulla - Galegama - Galmudamulla - Galmudathuduwa - Giritalemulla - Hawariyapelessa - Henwalawela - Ilaweli - Kadawathamadu - Kahatiwemulla - Katathangalweli - Kolawam - Kotagalamulla - Kotaliwalamulla - Moragaswewa - Morakanda - Niyadigalamulla - Padupolamulla - Periyaweli - Rotawewa - Timbirimulla - Wilweli ### Getting around 3 railway stations; 3 railway halts; 1 airport. - Alutoya - Galella - Galoya Junction - Habarane - Hingurakgoda Minneriya Airport - Manampitiya - Minneriya 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 Polonnaruwa District and the best time to visit In Polonnaruwa 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 Polonnaruwa District Places mapped inside Polonnaruwa District in open map data, by type — each number opens the full list with locations. - Hospitals21 - Banks29 - ATMs5 - Petrol pumps12 - Hotels140 - Shopping malls2 - Schools38 - Colleges and universities15 - Cinemas1 - Pharmacies4 - Restaurants67 - Police stations11 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. ## Polonnaruwa in history The 11th edition of the *Encyclopaedia Britannica* (1911) described Polonnaruwa as follows. Its wording reflects its time; spellings are as printed. > POLONNARUWA, a ruined city and ancient capital of Ceylon. It first became a royal residence in A.D. 368, when the lake of Topawewa was formed, and succeeded Anuradhapura as the capital in the middle of the 8th century. The principal ruins date chiefly from the time of Prakrama Bahu (A.D. 1153–1186). The most imposing pile remaining is the Jetawanarama temple, a building 170 ft. in length, with walls about 80 ft. high and 12 ft. thick. The city is now entirely deserted, and, as in the case of Anuradhapura, its ruins have only recently been rescued from the jungle. 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 Polonnaruwa District?In North Central Province, Sri Lanka - What is the population of Polonnaruwa District?445,000 (2023 estimate) - What is the median age in Polonnaruwa District?About 30 years (2023 estimate) - What is the population density of Polonnaruwa District?About 128 people per km² - What borders Polonnaruwa District?Ampara District, Anuradhapura District, Batticaloa District, Matale District and Trincomalee District - What is the largest town in Polonnaruwa District?Polonnaruwa - How many reservoirs and tanks are in Polonnaruwa District?240 named in GeoNames - What is the highest point in Polonnaruwa District?Gunners Quoin (525 m, GeoNames elevation model) - What is the best time to visit Polonnaruwa District?February to March - How many hospitals are in Polonnaruwa District?21 mapped - How many banks are in Polonnaruwa District?29 mapped - How many ATMs are in Polonnaruwa District?5 mapped - How many petrol pumps are in Polonnaruwa District?12 mapped - What is the P-code of Polonnaruwa District?LK72 (OCHA common operational dataset)