Vavuniya Population 2026
Vavuniya has a population of 60,176, making it the #24 biggest city in 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, located in Northern Province. Roughly 0.3% of Sri Lanka's population lives here. It is about 11× smaller than Colombo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
60,176
Rank in Sri Lanka
#24
Coordinates
8.75°N, 80.50°E
~104 m elevation · Asia/Colombo
Distance to capital (Colombo)
214 km
133 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Northern Province
| City | Population | Rank in Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Jaffna | 169,102 | #4 |
| Point Pedro | 89,810 | #13 |
| Valvedditturai | 78,205 | #17 |
| Mannar | 35,817 | #38 |
| Mullaittivu | 28,973 | #46 |
Cities near Vavuniya
- Anuradhapura60,943 people · ~50 km away
- Mullaittivu28,973 people · ~67 km away
- Mannar35,817 people · ~73 km away
- Trincomalee108,420 people · ~83 km away
- Dambulla66,716 people · ~101 km away
- Puttalam45,661 people · ~108 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Vavuniya?
Vavuniya has a population of 60,176 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #24 biggest city in Sri Lanka.
What region is Vavuniya in?
Vavuniya is located in Northern Province, Sri Lanka.
Is Vavuniya the capital of Sri Lanka?
No, the capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, about 214 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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