ANALYSIS OF POPULATION IN THE COLOMBO DISTRICTBY DIFFERENT POPULATION ZONES

Abstract

Population distribution pattern in Sri Lanka has been uneven from long history. 2012 census shows 28.8% of the total population of the country is concentrated in the Western region of Sri Lanka. Of this, the highest population and urban population isconcentrated in the Colombo district, compared to the other districts in the Western region. However,the most recent population census highlighted a key point about population distribution and population growth among its urban local authorities,in that for the first time in history some of the urban local authorities in the Colombo district showed a minus growth rate of population and fringe areas show high growth rates.This paper attempts to explore these population variations. Finally, it attempts to create a different population-zone-categorization based on the population distribution pattern and growth rates.This identification of different growth zones is significant to forecast urban growth directions. Key words; Population growth, Population zones, Urban Population