North Central Province, Sri Lanka
North Central Province (Sinhala: උතුරු මැද පළාත Uturumeda Palata, Tamil: வட மத்திய மாகாணம் Wada Maththiya Maakaanam) is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka, the first level administrative division of the country. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils.[2][3] The province is the largest by size, and second least populated in the country.[1] The province consists of the districts of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, both of which were important ancient Sri Lankan kingdoms. The climate is semi-arid, and the forests are dry evergreen forests.
North Central Province
උතුරු මැද පළාත வட மத்திய மாகாணம் | |
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![]() Location within Sri Lanka | |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Created | 1873 |
Admitted | 14 November 1987 |
Capital | Anuradhapura |
Largest City | Anuradhapura |
Government | |
• Governor | Maheepala Herath |
Area | |
• Total | 10,472 km2 (4,043 sq mi) |
Area rank | 1st (16.31% of total area) |
Population (2011 census) | |
• Total | 1,259,567 |
• Rank | 8th (5.91% of total pop.) |
• Density | 120/km2 (310/sq mi) |
Gross Regional Product (2010)[1] | |
• Total | Rs 232 billion |
• Rank | 7th (4.8% of total) |
Time zone | UTC+05:30 (Sri Lanka) |
ISO 3166 code | LK-7 |
Vehicle registration | NC |
Official Languages | Sinhalese, Tamil |
Website | www |
History
The centralised system of Sri Lanka, which is a unitary state, failed to satisfy the aspirations of the people. There was growing insistence on decentralisation of administrative processes to achieve rapid economic and social development of the country.
In the Sri Lankan context, devolution means the transferring of political and administrative decision-making authority from the central government to elected bodies at the lower levels.
Cities
- Anuradhapura (Municipal Council)
Towns
- Polonnaruwa-Kaduruwela
- Medawachchiya
- Kahatagasdigiliya
- Hingurakgoda
- Nochchiyagama
- Kekirawa
- Minneriya
- Horowpatana
- Tambuttegama
- Manampitiya
- Eppawala
- Habarana
- Maradankadawala
- Rambewa
- Mihintale
- Talawa
- Padawiya
- Kebitigollawa
- Giritale
- Mahailuppallama
- Welikanda
Provincial council
Provincial council is the main administrative and control body of the North Central Province which is the largest province in the country covered 16% of total country's land area. It consists two districts called Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapure; Anuradhapure is the largest district in the country. NCP also called Wew Bendi Rajje because there are more than 3000 medium and large scale tanks situated in the province. More than 65% of NCP's people depend on basic Agriculture and agro base industries.
North Central Province has numerous potential for investors to start their businesses, specially agriculture, agro based industries and livestock sectors.
Administrative units

Districts
district | Capital | Area (km²) | Population |
---|---|---|---|
Anuradhapura District | Anuradhapura | 7,128 | 856,232 |
Polonnaruwa District | Polonnaruwa | 3,293 | 403,335 |
Education
Anuradhapura
- Rajarata University of Sri Lanka - Anuradhapura
- Open University of Sri Lanka – Anuradhapura
- [SLIATE] Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education - Anuradhapura
- Teachers Training School - Anuradhapura
- Technical college – Anuradhapura
- Buddhsravaka Bhiksu University - Anuradhapura
- [NITA] K.B.Rathnayake MW - Anuradhapura
- University College of Anuradhapura (University of Vocational Technology) - Vidyala Mawatha, Anuradhapura
- St. Joseph's College, Anuradhapura
- Anuradhapura Central College
Polonnaruwa
- Pulatishi - Polonnaruwa