What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has two capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (the official administrative capital where Parliament sits) and Colombo (the commercial capital and largest city in the country).
Two Distinct Capitals
Sri Lanka operates with a dual capital system, a relatively rare situation in the world.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte: The Administrative Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte has been Sri Lanka's official capital since 1985. Located in the suburbs of Colombo, it houses the Sri Lankan Parliament and the main government institutions. Residents commonly call it "Kotte" for simplicity.
Colombo: The Economic Capital
Colombo remains the country's largest city and its main economic center. It concentrates foreign embassies, corporate headquarters, the international port, as well as most of the tourist attractions and shopping centers that travelers visit.
Key takeaway: for a trip to Sri Lanka, Colombo will be your main entry point, even though administratively speaking, the official capital is Kotte.