Batticaloa Population 2026
Batticaloa has a population of 86,742, making it the #14 biggest city in 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, located in Eastern Province. Roughly 0.4% of Sri Lanka's population lives here. It is about 7.5× smaller than Colombo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
86,742
Rank in Sri Lanka
#14
Coordinates
7.71°N, 81.69°E
~17 m elevation · Asia/Colombo
Distance to capital (Colombo)
221 km
137 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Eastern Province
| City | Population | Rank in Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Trincomalee | 108,420 | #10 |
| Kalmunai | 100,171 | #11 |
| Pottuvil | 45,727 | #30 |
| Ampara | 43,720 | #33 |
| Eravur Town | 22,982 | #53 |
| Vakarai | 21,000 | #56 |
Cities near Batticaloa
FAQ
What is the population of Batticaloa?
Batticaloa has a population of 86,742 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #14 biggest city in Sri Lanka.
What region is Batticaloa in?
Batticaloa is located in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.
Is Batticaloa the capital of Sri Lanka?
No, the capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, about 221 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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