Capital of Sri Lanka: Colombo
The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo. Sri Lanka sits in Asia, has a population of 21,832,143, and uses the LKR. Official languages include Sinhala, Tamil.
Quick facts
- Capital: Colombo
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~21,832,143
- Area: 65,610 km²
- Population density: 333 people per km²
- Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil
- Currency: LKR
- ISO code: LK
How big is Sri Lanka?
By population, Sri Lanka ranks 61st in the world, holding roughly 0.27% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 120th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Sri Lanka has 333 people per square kilometre, which is about 5.6 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Sri Lanka is the 24th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Sri Lanka in population are Syria (22,125,249) and Mali (22,593,590).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Lithuania (65,300 km²) and Latvia (64,589 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Sinhala is listed as an official language of Sri Lanka alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Sri Lanka uses the LKR, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Sri Lanka in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Sri Lanka belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Sri Lanka and a page on the flag of Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo.
What is the population of Sri Lanka?
About 21,832,143, making it the 61st most populous country in the world.
How big is Sri Lanka?
65,610 square kilometres, ranking 120th by land area, at a density of 333 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Sri Lanka use?
The LKR, which no other country uses.