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North Western

The North Western Province (capital Kurunegala) is located on the western coast of Sri Lanka, comprising the districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam. The province’s economy sees significant contributions from agriculture, with the availability of fertile soil and suitable weather being ideal for growing any crop. Coconut plantations make up the province’s largest industry, and paddy is the main agricultural crop; fishing, prawn-farming and rubber tree plantations are other prominent industries. The Province is also rich in minerals including but not limited to silica sand, graphite and clay, alongside being home to many prominent archaeological sites including remains of historical palaces, fortresses, places of Buddhist worship from medieval times.

LSE Research, Commentary and Analysis

  • Demonic Violence and Moral Panic in Post-War Sri Lanka: Explaining the “Grease Devils”: Venugopal, R. (2015)

    Sociology, Violence

    — Journal of Asian Studies
  • Democracy, Development and the Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka: Venugopal, R. (2015)

    Democracy, Development, Politics

    — Third World Quarterly
  • Nationalism, Development and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka: Venugopal, R. (2018)

    International Relations, Politics, Sociology

    — Cambridge University Press
  • Ethnic Domination under Liberal Democracy in Sri Lanka: Venugopal, R. (2022)

    Democracy, Politics

    — Journal of Contemporary Asia

State Facts & Figures

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