Jaffna Population 2026
Jaffna has a population of 169,102, making it the #4 biggest city in 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, located in Northern Province. Roughly 0.7% of Sri Lanka's population lives here. It is about 3.8× smaller than Colombo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
169,102
Rank in Sri Lanka
#4
Coordinates
9.67°N, 80.01°E
~7 m elevation · Asia/Colombo
Distance to capital (Colombo)
304 km
189 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Northern Province
| City | Population | Rank in Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Point Pedro | 89,810 | #13 |
| Valvedditturai | 78,205 | #17 |
| Vavuniya | 60,176 | #24 |
| Mannar | 35,817 | #38 |
| Mullaittivu | 28,973 | #46 |
Cities near Jaffna
- Valvedditturai78,205 people · ~24 km away
- Point Pedro89,810 people · ~30 km away
- Mannar35,817 people · ~77 km away
- Mullaittivu28,973 people · ~99 km away
- Vavuniya60,176 people · ~115 km away
- Anuradhapura60,943 people · ~157 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Jaffna?
Jaffna has a population of 169,102 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #4 biggest city in Sri Lanka.
What region is Jaffna in?
Jaffna is located in Northern Province, Sri Lanka.
Is Jaffna the capital of Sri Lanka?
No, the capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, about 304 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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