Sri Lanka Lists Sri Jayewardenepura as Capital and Colombo as Commercial Capital
Background
The official name is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; the short form is Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon.
The Government of Sri Lanka's country overview lists the capital as Sri Jayewardenepura.
The same overview lists Colombo as the commercial capital.
Total area is 65,610 sq km: land 62,705 sq km and inland waters 2,905 sq km.
Its history note says the capital was moved constantly until the Portuguese arrived in 1505, when the chief city was established at Kotte, in the western lowlands.
Capital (as listed):
Sri Jayewardenepura
Commercial capital:
Colombo
Total area:
65,610 sq km
Why it matters for exams: Capital versus commercial capital is a standing question in country-profile papers, and Colombo is the usual wrong answer.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Commercial capital The city that is the country's main centre of business — Sri Lanka's government overview lists Colombo under this heading, separately from the capital.