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| Anuradhapura District | |
|---|---|
| Name | Anuradhapura District |
| Native name | අනුරාධපුර දිස්ත්රික්කය |
| Settlement type | District |
| Coordinates | 8°20′N 80°24′E |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Sri Lanka |
| Subdivision type1 | Province |
| Subdivision name1 | North Central Province |
| Seat type | District capital |
| Seat | Anuradhapura |
| Area total km2 | 7176 |
| Population total | 856232 |
| Population as of | 2012 |
| Timezone1 | Sri Lanka Standard Time |
Anuradhapura District is a major administrative district in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It contains the ancient city of Anuradhapura and extensive archaeological sites linked to the Sinhalese people, Buddhism in Sri Lanka, and historic kingdoms such as the Kingdom of Anuradhapura and the Polonnaruwa period. The district plays a central role in national heritage, irrigation systems like the Tank cascade systems of Sri Lanka, and contemporary rural development programs under agencies such as the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka.
The district's past centers on the ancient capital at Anuradhapura, founded during legendary eras associated with figures like King Devanampiya Tissa and King Dutugemunu, and documented in chronicles such as the Mahavamsa and Culavamsa alongside archaeological work by the Archaeological Survey of Ceylon and researchers from institutions including the University of Peradeniya and University of Kelaniya. Successive eras saw contact with foreign polities and events like South Indian invasions of Sri Lanka and interactions recorded in sources related to Chola dynasty campaigns and the Portuguese colonisation of Sri Lanka, influencing sites such as Isurumuniya and Ruwanwelisaya. Colonial-era mapping by the British Ceylon administration and land surveys under officials connected to the Colebrooke–Cameron Commission shaped modern boundaries; post-independence policies by governments including the United National Party and Sri Lanka Freedom Party further affected land use and restoration projects by bodies like the Central Cultural Fund.
The district occupies a large portion of the North Central Province and borders districts such as Mannar District, Mullaitivu District, Trincomalee District, Polonnaruwa District, Matale District, Kurunegala District, and Vavuniya District, with terrain dominated by dry zone plains, ancient reservoirs like Tissa Wewa, and rivers including the Mahaweli River tributaries and the Malvathu River. Climate falls under the Tropical monsoon climate classification influenced by the Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon, producing marked dry seasons that shape agriculture tied to irrigated tanks and catchments managed by the Irrigation Department (Sri Lanka) and development programs such as the Mahaweli Development programme.
Population figures from the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka show a majority of Sinhalese people, with communities of Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lankan Moors, and smaller numbers of Burgher people and Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka; religious adherence centers on Theravada Buddhism with significant Hinduism in Sri Lanka and Islam in Sri Lanka presences, reflected in temples like Jetavanarama and mosques in regional towns and synagogues historically linked to trade networks. Settlement patterns include urban concentrations in Anuradhapura and rural villages tied to paddy cultivation, with demographic trends monitored by agencies such as the Department of National Planning and reports from the United Nations Development Programme.
Economic activities revolve around irrigated agriculture, chiefly rice cultivation associated with the Paddy cultivation in Sri Lanka tradition, supported by irrigation works like the Tissa Wewa and tank rehabilitation projects by the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Agriculture (Sri Lanka). Other sectors include livestock, agro-processing, seasonal fisheries linked to reservoir fisheries practices studied by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, cultural tourism centered on Anuradhapura archaeological sites, and small-scale industries promoted by the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka and provincial development plans under the North Central Provincial Council.
Administratively the district falls within the North Central Province (Sri Lanka) structure and is divided into divisional secretariats and Grama Niladhari divisions overseen by officials appointed through the Public Service Commission (Sri Lanka); local governance involves the Anuradhapura Municipal Council and multiple rural councils guided by provincial statutes enacted by the Provincial Councils of Sri Lanka. Political life features representation in the Parliament of Sri Lanka with electoral activity by parties such as the United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, and alliances like the United People's Freedom Alliance, influencing development budgets and heritage legislation debated in bodies like the Cabinet of Sri Lanka.
The district houses UNESCO-listed and nationally protected monuments including Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Jetavanaramaya, and monastic complexes linked to Buddhist traditions and pilgrimages associated with observances such as Poson Poya and practices endorsed by institutions like the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters. Cultural stewardship involves the Department of Archaeology (Sri Lanka), heritage conservation by the Central Cultural Fund, and academic research at centers such as the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology. Festivals, traditional crafts, and performing arts draw on networks tied to Sri Lankan cuisine and rural traditions promoted by cultural ministries.
Transport infrastructure includes road corridors connecting to Colombo, Kandy, and Trincomalee via highways maintained by the Road Development Authority (Sri Lanka), rail links on the Sri Lanka Railways network terminating at Anuradhapura railway station, and regional bus services operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board. Utilities and infrastructure projects have involved agencies like the Ceylon Electricity Board for power distribution, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board for potable water schemes, and telecommunications expansions by state and private operators such as Sri Lanka Telecom.
Educational institutions include historic schools such as Royal College (Colombo)-affiliated alumni networks, local schools under the Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka), teacher training colleges, and higher education outreach from universities like the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the Open University of Sri Lanka. Health services are provided via district hospitals and facilities administered by the Ministry of Health (Sri Lanka), with public health programs coordinated with entities such as the Family Health Bureau and international partners including the World Health Organization for rural healthcare initiatives.
Category:Districts of Sri Lanka