Smallest Cities in Sri Lanka

Top 72 cities ranked by smallest cities

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

Smallest Cities — Sri Lanka

1 Kuliyapitiya 32 6,877

2 Horawala Junction 36 7,500

3 Minuwangoda 36 7,772

4 Wattegama 35 8,000

5 Keppapularu 38 8,361

6 Horana South 36 8,982

7 Gampaha 36 9,350

8 Wellawaya 35 10,000

9 Monaragala 35 10,236

10 Tangalle 34 10,497

11 Kilinochchi 38 13,006

12 Polonnaruwa 30 13,900

13 Hatton 29 15,073

14 Kegalle 33 17,962

15 Hambantota 34 19,999

16 Kataragama 35 20,935

17 Vakarai 37 21,000

18 Weligama 34 22,179

19 Hanwella Ihala 36 22,918

20 Eravur Town 37 22,982

21 Gampola 29 24,283

22 Chilaw 32 24,712

23 Nuwara Eliya 29 27,500

24 Kurunegala 32 28,571

25 Peliyagoda 36 28,784

26 Kelaniya 36 28,846

27 Mullaittivu 38 28,973

28 Wattala 36 30,725

29 Ja Ela 36 32,175

30 Kandana 36 33,424

31 Mulleriyawa 36 33,540

32 Panadura 36 33,735

33 Beruwala 36 34,250

34 Homagama 36 34,664

35 Mannar 38 35,817

36 Matale 29 36,462

37 Bentota 34 37,000

38 Kalutara 36 37,081

39 Welisara 36 41,306

40 Ampara 37 43,720

41 Devinuwara 34 45,000

42 Puttalam 32 45,661

43 Pottuvil 37 45,727

44 Badulla 35 47,587

45 Ratnapura 33 47,832

46 Ambalangoda 34 56,783

47 Hendala 36 56,978

48 Beliatta 34 58,675

49 Vavuniya 38 60,176

50 Anuradhapura 30 60,943

51 Kotikawatta 36 64,565

52 Kolonnawa 36 64,887

53 Dambulla 29 66,716

54 Battaramulla South 36 75,633

55 Matara 34 76,254

56 Valvedditturai 38 78,205

57 Ambalantota 34 80,506

58 Katunayaka 36 84,643

59 Batticaloa 37 86,742

60 Point Pedro 38 89,810

61 Galle 34 93,118

62 Kalmunai 37 100,171

63 Trincomalee 37 108,420

64 Kandy 29 111,701

65 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte 36 115,826

66 Pita Kotte 36 118,179

67 Negombo 36 137,223

68 Moratuwa 36 168,280

69 Jaffna 38 169,102

70 Maharagama 36 195,355

71 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 36 219,827

72 Colombo 36 648,034

The smallest cities in Sri Lanka (with populations above 5,000) offer a different quality of life compared to major metropolitan areas. Kuliyapitiya has a population of just 6,877. These communities often feature lower costs of living, stronger neighborhood connections, and less congestion.

Small cities can offer significant advantages for residents seeking affordable housing, shorter commutes, and a close-knit community feel. Many serve as regional centers for surrounding rural areas, providing essential services while maintaining a small-town atmosphere.

Despite their smaller size, many of these cities have thriving local economies, good school systems, and access to outdoor recreation. They represent an alternative to the fast-paced lifestyle of major metropolitan areas.

Did You Know?

1. At 6,877 residents, Kuliyapitiya is smaller than a single large apartment complex in New York City.
2. Small cities (5,000-10,000) make up the majority of incorporated places in the United States.
3. Many of the smallest cities serve as county seats or regional service centers for surrounding rural communities.

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