Puttalam Population 2026
Puttalam has a population of 45,661, making it the #31 biggest city in 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, located in North Western Province. Roughly 0.2% of Sri Lanka's population lives here. It is about 14× smaller than Colombo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
45,661
Rank in Sri Lanka
#31
Coordinates
8.04°N, 79.83°E
~8 m elevation · Asia/Colombo
Distance to capital (Colombo)
122 km
76 miles, straight line
Other big cities in North Western Province
| City | Population | Rank in Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Kurunegala | 28,571 | #49 |
| Chilaw | 24,712 | #51 |
Cities near Puttalam
- Chilaw24,712 people · ~51 km away
- Anuradhapura60,943 people · ~71 km away
- Kurunegala28,571 people · ~86 km away
- Negombo137,223 people · ~92 km away
- Dambulla66,716 people · ~93 km away
- Katunayaka84,643 people · ~97 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Puttalam?
Puttalam has a population of 45,661 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #31 biggest city in Sri Lanka.
What region is Puttalam in?
Puttalam is located in North Western Province, Sri Lanka.
Is Puttalam the capital of Sri Lanka?
No, the capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, about 122 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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