"As of mid-2026, Sri Lanka's population is approximately 23.2 million, having grown from roughly 22.5 million in 2020, with a current, very low annual growth rate of approximately 0.5–0.6% due to declining birth rates and migration. The population growth is the slowest since 1871". (Google A.I.)
That means people are people are moving everywhere in the island, without much increase in overall population..
This map needs to be compared to a similar map from the past to identify the population shift better..
Can anyone identify, some of the ash coloured areas in the dark blue areas..? - is this the district map..?
Img courtesy: alamy
The Highway system could prompt the movement of population, I believe..
The ash coloured, coastal areas could indicate, tourism aided population shift..