Most Educated in Sri Lanka

Top 72 cities ranked by most educated

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 Educated — Sri Lanka

1 Matara 34 15.0%

2 Panadura 36 15.0%

3 Nuwara Eliya 29 15.0%

4 Negombo 36 15.0%

5 Mulleriyawa 36 15.0%

6 Mullaittivu 38 15.0%

7 Moratuwa 36 15.0%

8 Monaragala 35 15.0%

9 Minuwangoda 36 15.0%

10 Peliyagoda 36 15.0%

11 Matale 29 15.0%

12 Mannar 38 15.0%

13 Maharagama 36 15.0%

14 Kurunegala 32 15.0%

15 Kuliyapitiya 32 15.0%

16 Kotikawatta 36 15.0%

17 Kolonnawa 36 15.0%

18 Kilinochchi 38 15.0%

19 Trincomalee 37 15.0%

20 Wellawaya 35 15.0%

21 Welisara 36 15.0%

22 Weligama 34 15.0%

23 Wattegama 35 15.0%

24 Wattala 36 15.0%

25 Vavuniya 38 15.0%

26 Valvedditturai 38 15.0%

27 Vakarai 37 15.0%

28 Keppapularu 38 15.0%

29 Tangalle 34 15.0%

30 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte 36 15.0%

31 Ratnapura 33 15.0%

32 Puttalam 32 15.0%

33 Pottuvil 37 15.0%

34 Polonnaruwa 30 15.0%

35 Point Pedro 38 15.0%

36 Pita Kotte 36 15.0%

37 Beruwala 36 15.0%

38 Gampaha 36 15.0%

39 Galle 34 15.0%

40 Eravur Town 37 15.0%

41 Devinuwara 34 15.0%

42 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 36 15.0%

43 Dambulla 29 15.0%

44 Colombo 36 15.0%

45 Chilaw 32 15.0%

46 Gampola 29 15.0%

47 Bentota 34 15.0%

48 Beliatta 34 15.0%

49 Batticaloa 37 15.0%

50 Battaramulla South 36 15.0%

51 Badulla 35 15.0%

52 Anuradhapura 30 15.0%

53 Ampara 37 15.0%

54 Ambalantota 34 15.0%

55 Jaffna 38 15.0%

56 Kelaniya 36 15.0%

57 Kegalle 33 15.0%

58 Katunayaka 36 15.0%

59 Kataragama 35 15.0%

60 Kandy 29 15.0%

61 Kandana 36 15.0%

62 Kalutara 36 15.0%

63 Kalmunai 37 15.0%

64 Ambalangoda 34 15.0%

65 Ja Ela 36 15.0%

66 Horawala Junction 36 15.0%

67 Horana South 36 15.0%

68 Homagama 36 15.0%

69 Hendala 36 15.0%

70 Hatton 29 15.0%

71 Hanwella Ihala 36 15.0%

72 Hambantota 34 15.0%

The most educated cities in Sri Lanka have the highest percentages of residents with bachelor's degrees or higher. Matara leads with 15.0% of residents holding a bachelor's degree.

High education levels typically correlate with higher incomes, lower unemployment, better health outcomes, and more civic engagement. These cities often host or are adjacent to major universities and research institutions that drive both education and economic development.

Highly educated communities tend to attract knowledge-based industries and employers in technology, healthcare, finance, and professional services, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of educational attainment and economic opportunity.

Did You Know?

1. In Matara, 15.0% of residents have a bachelor's degree — more than double the national average of about 33%.
2. Cities near major research universities consistently rank among the most educated in the country.
3. Higher education rates correlate with higher incomes, lower crime, and better health outcomes across communities.

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