A recent survey conducted by the National Physical Planning Department has revealed that the urban population of Sri Lanka has increased to 44.57%.

According to this survey, out of the 12,773 Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in 276 Divisional Secretariat divisions, 3,025 GN Divisions have been identified as urban areas which is 23.68%.

Colombo has been named as the district with the highest percentage of urban population in the country which is 96.74%.

The urban population in Gampaha District is 76.76% and in Jaffna district 67.28%.

The lowest percentage of urban population is recorded in Mullaitivu District which is 2.84%.

The urbanization of the country was recorded as 18.2% according to the last survey conducted in 2012 regarding urbanization.

Urbanization of an area is measured based on several criteria.

Among them are criteria such as population, population density, number of supermarkets, clothing stores, filling stations, banks, private schools and private hospitals within 10 km, number of flats within a GN Division, percentage of houses provided on rent and lease basis and how many people are employed in the non-agricultural sector.

The purpose of this survey conducted by the National Physical Planning Department is to identify the urban areas in Sri Lanka and to systematically indicate the appropriate criteria for it.

The Cabinet had also appointed an advisory committee chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing to provide advice for this survey.

According to this survey, the two local councils of Homagama and Kolonnawa in Colombo District and all the local councils in Gampaha District have been rapidly urbanized, Director General of the Department Gamini Hewage said.

He also said that many areas in the other districts are also being rapidly urbanized.

This survey report is to be submitted to the Cabinet after getting approval from the President and all district committees.