The District

Location based information

Anuradhapura district is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of the province and is located 206 km North East of Colombo. The district covers a land area of 7,179 Sq. Km. and a population of 886,945 persons by the year 2008. It is also the largest district in Sri Lanka in terms of land extent. Anuradhapura is the focal point of connection North, West, South and East regions. During festival and pilgrimage seasons a large population gathers in Anuradhapura.

Demographics

Religions
Buddhists	803,459	90.60%
Islam	72,328	8.15%
Hindus	3,844	0.43%
Christians	7,128	0.80%

 

 

Economic profile

The district economy predominantly revolves around paddy cultivation, Vegetable cultivation including home gardening, tourism industry including hotels and small scale industries including some large scale industries.

In the year 2008 alone, 812,554 hectares were cultivated in the Anuradhapura district and the paddy harvest accrued amounted to 12,357 metric tons. 31,092 main irrigation schemes helped in this regard. In addition to paddy cultivation, a land area of 6,324 hectares was cultivated with vegetable, additional crops, and pulses. The harvest reaped from these cultivations amounted to 3,513,000 kgs. As per the land utilization in the district in the year 2008, 128,719.79 hectares were used for paddy cultivation and 59,084.05 hectares was used for Chena cultivation.

3000 Home Guardening Units were established under the programme of Geviliyaka Saviya National Programme started in 2007.

Cultivation depends heavily on the irrigation system which has survived for centuries. There are many tanks such as Nuwarawewa and Thisawewa built by ancient kings, supporting the economy in the district. The district is located in the dry zone hence the climate is highly suitable for agricultural activity. The per capita income in the district is Rs. 88,333 according to the Central Bank Annual Report of 2007 and the contribution to the national GDP is 4.1%

The industrial contribution in the district is poorer than other districts. 24,592 of the population are employed in various industries. 7632 persons are employed in 3453 small scale industries, while 9710 persons are employed in 53 large scale industries.

Historical and Tourism significance of Anuradhapura

Located in the North Central part of Sri Lanka and named after the great King Anuradhapura in 500 BC is Anuradhapura the first capital of Sri Lanka one of the extensive and important ancient cities of the country that attracts all tourist. Hence explorers re-discovered the crumbling ruins of this ancient monastic city in the 19th Century which sparked the beginning efforts to restore and re-build this city. This historical and archaeological site now continues to attract Sri Lankan and foreign visitors as well as pilgrims to bask in the glories of the magnificent city of the Kings.

Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, with shady trees, nice guesthouses and a distinct lack of overdeveloped concrete. Situated 206km away from Colombo, for the first time traveller Anuradhapura appears to be a modern town set in dry forest area. Yet a short distance away from this modernity you are sure to discover the distinctness of the city sited with classical ruins. A city where both public and private transports are available, it takes approximately 8 hours by train and 5 to 6 hours by private or bus transport.

Anuradhapura is both a tourist and pilgrimage ground. The ancient city of Anuradhapura evokes its visitors to picture and imagine life in the early millennia shining with all its glory and grandeur. The astonishing dagabas considered the second mightiest masses of monumental history after the Egyptian pyramids makes one wander of the impeccable details used by the architects in constructing these monuments and the marvel of huge solid stones transported to great heights for the purpose.

Anuradhpura is a World Heritage City declared by the UNESCO.