North Central Province ( Uturumæda Paḷāta, Vada Mattiya Mākāṇam) is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka. The province has an area of 10,472 km2, making it the largest province by area, and a population of 1,266,663, making it the 3rd least populated province. Anuradhapura is the capital city of the province.

History The North Central province is home to the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, both of which were historical capitals of Sri Lanka during ancient times. The two cities were the capitals of the Anuradhapura kingdom (437 BCE–1017 CE) and the Polonnaruwa kingdom (1070–1232) respectively. As a result, there are many culturally and historically important ancient sites in this province.

The provinces of Sri Lanka were established by the British in 1833. In independent Sri Lanka, provinces did not have any legal status or power until 1987, when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. The North Central Provincial Council is the main administrative and control body in the North Central Province.

Geography The province has an area of 10,472 km2 and a population of 1,266,663. It is the largest province by area, covering 16% of the total land area of Sri Lanka. The province consists two districts, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura; the Anuradhapura district is the largest district in Sri Lanka by area.

The province has a semi-arid climate and most forests situated in the province are Sri Lankan dry-zone dry evergreen forests.

The province is also referred to as Wew Bendi Rajje due to the many tanks (reservoirs) situated in the province, with more than 3000. Tanks were essential to manage water supplies in this dry province, and allowed Anuradhapura to develop into a large city as early as 437 BCE. More than 65% of the province’s population depend on basic agriculture and agricultural based industries.

Demographics In 2024, the North Central province has a population of 1,407,610.

Ethnicity

Ethnic group Population % Sinhalese 1,151,005 90.87% Sri Lankan Moors 100,869 7.96% Tamils1 12,667 1.0% Others 2,122 0.17% Total 1,266,663 100.00%

1 Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.

Religion

+Religion in North Central Province (2012 Census) Religion Census 2012Population% Buddhism1,139,59589.97% Islam101,9588.05% Christianity14,8751.17% Hinduism10,1170.80% Others/None1180.009% Total 1,266,663100%

Employment + Percentages of employed population (aged 15 years and above) by sector of employment and sex Employed Population Total Percentage Male Percentage Female Government employee 100,045 76.1 23.9 Semi government employee 9,737 69.4 30.6 Private sector employee 84,916 72.7 27.3 Employer 7,176 83.9 16.1 Own account worker 231,848 80.4 19.6 Unpaid family worker 50,975 28.9 71.1 Total 484,697 72.6 27.4

Administrative divisions

The North Central Province is divided into two districts and 29 divisional secretariats.

Districts + Administrative Districts of North Central Province District Capital Area (km²) Population Anuradhapura District Anuradhapura 7,128 856,232 Polonnaruwa District Polonnaruwa 3,293 403,335

Divisional secretariats

+ Administrative Divisions of North Central Province Division District Population(2001census) Nuwaragam Palatha East Anuradhapura 69,590 Nuwaragam Palatha Central Anuradhapura 60,828 Kekirawa Anuradhapura 58,879 Thalawa Anuradhapura 57,663 Nochchiyagama Anuradhapura 49,730 Medawachchiya Anuradhapura 46,743 Galenbindunuwewa Anuradhapura 46,527 Thambuttegama Anuradhapura 42,143 Kahatagasdigiliya Anuradhapura 40,137 Ipalogama Anuradhapura 38,688 Horowpothana Anuradhapura 36,714 Rambewa Anuradhapura 36,426 Mihinthale Anuradhapura 35,160 Galnewa Anuradhapura 34,718 Palagala Anuradhapura 33,740 Rajanganaya Anuradhapura 33,434 Thirappane Anuradhapura 26,962 Nachchadoowa Anuradhapura 25,569 Padaviya Anuradhapura 22,924 Kebithigollewa Anuradhapura 22,227 Mahavilachchiya Anuradhapura 22,183 Palugaswewa Anuradhapura 15,557 Dimbulagala Polonnaruwa 79,661 Thamankaduwa Polonnaruwa 68,526 Medirigiriya Polonnaruwa 65,575 Hingurakgoda Polonnaruwa 64,289 Elahera Polonnaruwa 43,915 Lankapura Polonnaruwa 36,452 Welikanda Polonnaruwa 33,770

Major population centres

Aralaganwila Bakamuna Eppawala Giritale Habarana Hingurakgoda Horowpothana Kahatagasdigiliya Kebithigollewa Kekirawa Mahailuppallama Manampitiya Maradankadawala Medawachchiya Mihintale Minneriya Nochchiyagama Padaviya Polonnaruwa-Kaduruwela Rambewa Thalawa Thambuttegama Welikanda

Education

Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Central College Anuradhapura Walisinghe Harischandra college Niwaththaka Chethiya National School. Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Technical College Buddhsravaka Bhiksu University K. B. Rathnayake MW Open University of Sri Lanka Rajarata University of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education St. Joseph's College Teachers Training School University College of Anuradhapura (University of Vocational Technology)

Polonnaruwa Polonnaruwa Royal Central College Pulathisipura National College of Education Technical College-Polonnaruwa

See also Provinces of Sri Lanka Districts of Sri Lanka

References

External links North Central Province Provincial Council Cities in North Central province