Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1980. With 8 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.
Sri Lanka as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention
State Party since: June 6, 1980
Status: Acceptance
Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1983-1989
Total of Mandate Years: 6
Total of Mandates: 1
WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)
World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka (8)
Cultural: 6 | Natural: 2 | Mixed: 0
- Ancient City of Polonnaruwa · Cultural
- Ancient City of Sigiriya · Cultural
- Central Highlands of Sri Lanka · Natural
- Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications · Cultural
- Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple · Cultural
- Sacred City of Anuradhapura · Cultural
- Sacred City of Kandy · Cultural
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve · Natural
Map of World Heritage Sites
Tentative World Heritage Sites (5)
- Sri Lanka’s Tea Cultural Landscape · submitted: August 19, 2025
- Buddhist Meditation Monasteries of Ancient Sri Lanka · submitted: June 4, 2024
- Ancient Ariyakara Viharaya in the Rajagala Archaeological Reserve · submitted: February 27, 2020
- Seruwila to Sri Pada (Sacred Foot Print Shrine), Ancient pilgrim route along the Mahaweli river in Sri Lanka · submitted: April 29, 2010
- Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara · submitted: October 30, 2006
Country Profile Sri Lanka
Official Name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Continent: Asia
Subregion: Southern Asia
UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Population (2024): 21,916,000
Land Area: 61,860 km²
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)