Most Dense in Sri Lanka

Top 72 cities ranked by most dense

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Sri Lanka

Most Dense — Sri Lanka

1 Batticaloa 37 788,564/mi²

2 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 36 70,009/mi²

3 Weligama 34 43,488/mi²

4 Valvedditturai 38 41,821/mi²

5 Trincomalee 37 37,386/mi²

6 Matara 34 30,260/mi²

7 Colombo 36 25,373/mi²

8 Jaffna 38 21,680/mi²

9 Point Pedro 38 19,958/mi²

10 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte 36 17,656/mi²

11 Badulla 35 12,328/mi²

12 Kandy 29 10,136/mi²

13 Vavuniya 38 6,925/mi²

14 Kurunegala 32 6,723/mi²

15 Ratnapura 33 6,196/mi²

16 Galle 34 5,657/mi²

17 Nuwara Eliya 29 5,478/mi²

18 Panadura 36 1,268/mi²

19 Beruwala 36 1,151/mi²

20 Maharagama 36 618/mi²

21 Moratuwa 36 532/mi²

22 Negombo 36 434/mi²

23 Pita Kotte 36 374/mi²

24 Katunayaka 36 268/mi²

25 Ambalantota 34 254/mi²

26 Battaramulla South 36 239/mi²

27 Kolonnawa 36 205/mi²

28 Kotikawatta 36 204/mi²

29 Hendala 36 180/mi²

30 Horana South 36 164/mi²

31 Puttalam 32 145/mi²

32 Devinuwara 34 142/mi²

33 Ampara 37 138/mi²

34 Welisara 36 131/mi²

35 Kalutara 36 117/mi²

36 Matale 29 115/mi²

37 Mannar 38 114/mi²

38 Horawala Junction 36 113/mi²

39 Homagama 36 110/mi²

40 Mulleriyawa 36 106/mi²

41 Kandana 36 106/mi²

42 Ja Ela 36 102/mi²

43 Wattala 36 97/mi²

44 Mullaittivu 38 92/mi²

45 Kelaniya 36 91/mi²

46 Gampola 29 77/mi²

47 Eravur Town 37 73/mi²

48 Hanwella Ihala 36 72/mi²

49 Dambulla 29 69/mi²

50 Hambantota 34 63/mi²

51 Kegalle 33 57/mi²

52 Polonnaruwa 30 44/mi²

53 Kilinochchi 38 41/mi²

54 Ambalangoda 34 39/mi²

55 Peliyagoda 36 37/mi²

56 Monaragala 35 32/mi²

57 Gampaha 36 30/mi²

58 Keppapularu 38 27/mi²

59 Wattegama 35 25/mi²

60 Bentota 34 25/mi²

61 Minuwangoda 36 25/mi²

62 Kalmunai 37 22/mi²

63 Anuradhapura 30 22/mi²

64 Beliatta 34 19/mi²

65 Hatton 29 18/mi²

66 Pottuvil 37 10/mi²

67 Vakarai 37 10/mi²

68 Chilaw 32 9/mi²

69 Kataragama 35 7/mi²

70 Kuliyapitiya 32 4/mi²

71 Wellawaya 35 3/mi²

72 Tangalle 34 3/mi²

The most densely populated cities in Sri Lanka pack the most residents per square mile, creating vibrant urban environments with walkable neighborhoods and extensive public transit. Batticaloa leads with 788,564 people per square mile.

High population density is often associated with better access to public transportation, more walkable streets, and a wider variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options within close proximity. These cities tend to have lower car ownership rates and shorter commute distances.

Dense cities face unique challenges including higher housing costs, limited parking, and potential overcrowding in public spaces. However, they also tend to have lower per-capita carbon footprints due to shared infrastructure and reduced driving.

Did You Know?

1. Batticaloa has 788,564 people per square mile — that's roughly 1,232 people per acre.
2. Dense cities tend to have the most walkable neighborhoods and lowest car ownership rates in the country.
3. Urban density can reduce per-capita carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to suburban sprawl.

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