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North Central Province

The largest province of Sri Lanka, located in the dry zone being 10,714 km2in extents, the North Central Province that consists of two administrative districts viz. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, is known for its centuries-old irrigated agriculture, ancient Sinhalese kingdoms and places of Buddhist worship such as Sri Maha Bodhi, Ruwanweliseya.
The provincial capital, Anuradhapura which is located 205km north of Colombo, is one of the most sacred cities in Sri Lanka as many places of Buddhist worship are located in this ancient city. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Today the ancient city of Polonnaruwa remains one of the best planned archaeological relic sites in the country, standing testimony to the discipline and greatness of the Kingdom’s first rulers. The city has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Polonnaruwa is the second largest city in the North Central Province, but it is one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities in the country.
Anuradhapura District

Anuradhapura District

Polonnaruwa District

Polonnaruwa District

North Central Province is a province of Sri Lanka. Its capital is Anuradhapura. The province is not densely populated, and it has a weak economy as the land tends to be dry tropical woodlands. Maithripala Sirisena, the Sri Lankan president, hails from the North Central Province.