Sri Lanka Elevation Facts
| Average elevation |
228 m (748 ft) |
| Highest point |
Pidurutalagala: 2,524 m (8,281 ft) |
| Lowest point |
Indian Ocean: 0 m (0 ft) |
| Elevation range |
2,524 m (8,281 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city |
Nuwara Eliya: 1,868 m (6,129 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city |
Galle: 0 m (0 ft) |
Sri Lanka is a country known for its diverse topography, comprising a mixture of flat lands, rolling hills, valleys, and mountains.
The elevation map of Sri Lanka reveals that the highest mountainous areas are located in the central region, while the surrounding low country is generally flat.
The hills and mountains act as a natural barrier to the monsoon winds coming from the Indian Ocean, resulting in a fluctuation of rainfall throughout the country.
Additionally, Sri Lanka is also known for its abundance of rivers and waterfalls, which add to the beauty of its topography.
Highest Point in Sri Lanka
The highest point in Sri Lanka is the Pidurutalagala Mountain, which stands at an elevation of 2,524 metres (8,281 feet).
Lowest Point in Sri Lanka
The lowest point in Sri Lanka is the Indian Ocean, which has an elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).
Countries with Similar Topography to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's topography resembles the southern part of India, with a central highland massif surrounded by coastal plains and lowlands, but its highest mountains are lower and more isolated, and the island has no Himalayan-scale peaks.
Highest-Elevation Cities in Sri Lanka
Nuwara Eliya is the highest-elevation city in Sri Lanka, at 1,868 m (6,129 ft) above sea level. The table below lists the major cities with their elevations, from highest to lowest.
| City |
Elevation |
Elevation in feet |
| Nuwara Eliya |
1,868 m |
6,129 ft |
| Kandy |
465 m |
1,526 ft |
| Polonnaruwa |
57 m |
187 ft |
| Anuradhapura |
49 m |
161 ft |
| Matara |
13 m |
43 ft |
| Trincomalee |
11 m |
36 ft |
| Jaffna |
3 m |
10 ft |
| Batticaloa |
2 m |
7 ft |
| Colombo |
1 m |
3 ft |
| Galle |
0 m |
0 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point in Sri Lanka?
The highest point in Sri Lanka is Pidurutalagala, at 2,524 m (8,281 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest point in Sri Lanka?
The lowest point in Sri Lanka is Indian Ocean, at 0 m (0 ft).
What is the average elevation of Sri Lanka?
The average elevation of Sri Lanka is 228 m (748 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
What is the highest-elevation city in Sri Lanka?
Nuwara Eliya is the highest-elevation city in Sri Lanka, at 1,868 m (6,129 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest-elevation city in Sri Lanka?
Of the cities listed for Sri Lanka, Galle is the lowest, at 0 m (0 ft) above sea level.
What is the elevation range in Sri Lanka?
Elevation in Sri Lanka ranges from 0 m (0 ft) at Indian Ocean to 2,524 m (8,281 ft) at Pidurutalagala, a difference of 2,524 m (8,281 ft).