Which city is the administrative capital of Sri Lanka?

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the administrative and legislative capital of Sri Lanka. It sits beside Colombo, which remains the country’s commercial and economic center, making Sri Lanka a frequent source of capital-city confusion.

The modern capital move was intended to reduce congestion in Colombo and establish a purpose-built parliamentary center. Sri Lanka designated Kotte as the new capital in 1977, and the new Parliament complex was formally opened there on 29 April 1982. The relocation of government institutions has continued gradually rather than occurring all at once.

Kotte also has a much older history. It began as a fortified settlement in the 13th century and became the capital of the Kingdom of Kotte. Its name was expanded to Sri Jayawardenepura, meaning roughly “resplendent city of growing victory,” in the late 14th century. Colombo is therefore not the best answer when the question asks for Sri Lanka’s administrative or legislative capital, even though it remains the country’s most internationally prominent city.