Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka

Capital City

With a population of 115,826, this administrative capital of Sri Lanka is hardly the sleepy backwater it may appear. The bureaucracy here is a persistent headache, as the government's relocation from Colombo remains an ongoing process. And while the climate is tropical, heavy rainfall and flooding can disrupt daily life. Yet for those undeterred by the challenges, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte offers access to the country's political and educational institutions, including the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.