Sri Lanka Address Format With Examples
Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia, lies in the Indian Ocean just southeast of India. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” it boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and a history that spans thousands of years. Famous for its tea plantations, ancient Buddhist temples, and wildlife-filled national parks, Sri Lanka offers a blend of natural beauty and vibrant traditions.
Its diverse population speaks Sinhala, Tamil, and English, reflecting a multicultural identity. With bustling cities like Colombo and serene beaches like Mirissa, Sri Lanka is a hub of trade, tourism, and culture in the region. Let us explore how you should write an address for sending the package to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Address Format Breakdown
Recipient Name
Include the recipient’s full name on the first line while addressing a mailer or package. If you are sending the mailers to a business, write the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.
Example
RAVI PERERA
Or
CEYLON TEA EXPORTS
ATTN: RAVI PERERA
Street Address or PO Box (P.O. Box)
Write down the street name and house/building number for residential or business addresses. If your recipient relies on a Post Office Box, write “P.O. Box” and then include the box number. For rural areas, addresses may use landmarks or descriptive directions due to the absence of formal street names.
Example
NO. 45, TEMPLE ROAD
Or
P.O. BOX 123
City/Town and Postal Code
Sri Lanka relies on a five-digit postal code system. Write the appropriate postal code after mentioning the city or town name. Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Trincomalee, and Negombo are some major cities in Sri Lanka.
EXAMPLE
COLOMBO 00100
Or
KANDY 20000
Country Name
Write the country name in the last line. If you are sending international mail, always write the country name in capital letters.
Example
SRI LANKA
Special Considerations to Write a Sri Lankan Address
- Address Placement: Write the address on the bottom right corner of the envelope.
- Address Line Alignment: The address lines should be left aligned.
- Language: Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka, every address should be written in these languages for domestic mail. However, English is acceptable for international mail.
- Rural Addressing: Street names are less common in rural areas. It is recommended to use village names near larger towns to ensure successful deliveries.
- Capitalization: For clarity and legibility write the whole address in the capital letter.
Examples of Different Types of Sri Lankan Address Format
Residential Address Format
Write the recipient’s name, street address or PO box number, city or town name, postal code, and country for residential addresses.
Example
RAVI PERERA
NO. 45, TEMPLE ROAD
COLOMBO 00100
SRI LANKA
Rural Address Format
In rural areas without formal street names, include the village or settlement name, followed by the nearest major town, postal code, and country.
Example
SARATH FERNANDO
HOUSE NEAR SCHOOL, PADDY FIELD LANE
KURUNEGALA 60210
SRI LANKA
Business Address Format
Add the company name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name and their department. The rest will be according to the standard Sri Lankan address format. To ensure that the internal distribution system sends mail to the correct office and desk, write ATTN in front of the name.
Example
CEYLON TEA EXPORTS
ATTN: NALAKA JAYASINGHE
MARKETING DEPARTMENT
123 GALLE ROAD
COLOMBO 00100
SRI LANKA
International Address Format for NGOs and Organizations
For international organizations or NGOs operating in Sri Lanka, include the name of the organization followed by the specific department or program.
Example
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ATTN: EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
NO. 10, GALLE FACE COURT
COLOMBO 00300
SRI LANKA
PO Box Address Format
For letters sent to a Post Office Box, use “P.O. Box” followed by the corresponding box number in place of the street address.
Example
RAJITHA KUMARASIRI
P.O. BOX 123
COLOMBO 00100
SRI LANKA
Military Address Format
When addressing mail to military personnel in Sri Lanka, it’s important to include the rank, name, unit, and base. The Sri Lankan military uses its postal service or civilian postal system to route mail to the appropriate base or unit.
Example
CAPT. KUMARA FERNANDO
UNIT 15, SRI LANKA ARMY CAMP
BORELLA, COLOMBO 08
COLOMBO 00108
SRI LANKA
Government Office Address Format
When sending mail to a government office in Sri Lanka, ensure you include the name of the office, relevant department, and other necessary address details for accurate delivery.
ATTN: VISA SERVICES DIVISION
41 ANANDA RAJAKARUNA MAWATHA
COLOMBO 10
COLOMBO 00100
SRI LANKA
Address for Multiple Recipients Format
To address mail to multiple recipients at the same address, list each recipient’s name on separate lines for clarity. This format is useful when sending mail to families, roommates, or multiple individuals within a business.
| Example (for Family) | Example (for Businesses) |
| MR. RAVI PERERA
MRS. SANDYA PERERA MISS. ANUSHKA PERERA NO. 45, TEMPLE ROAD 00100 COLOMBO SRI LANKA |
ATTN: MR. KUMARA FERNANDO
ATTN: MS. NALINI JAYASURIYA CEYLON TEA EXPORTS 123 GALLE ROAD COLOMBO 00100 SRI LANKA |
Address Format for Courier Services
Courier services like DHL, FedEx, or UPS require precise address details, including a contact phone number, to ensure smooth delivery, especially in hard-to-reach or rural areas.
NO. 89, PARK STREET
COLOMBO 00200
SRI LANKA
PHONE: +94 77 654 3210
Postal Information
The Sri Lankan postal system, managed by Sri Lanka Post, has a rich history dating back over two centuries. Established during the colonial era in 1798, it began as a modest service under Dutch and British rule, connecting key administrative hubs. By the 19th century, the system expanded significantly, introducing innovations like the first postage stamp in 1857, which featured a profile of Queen Victoria. Over time, Sri Lanka Post has grown into a vital public service network, encompassing over 4,700 post offices across the island.
It serves both urban and rural areas, offering mail delivery, logistics, and financial services such as money orders and bill payments. Today, Sri Lanka Post continues to adapt to modern demands, integrating digital technology to enhance efficiency while preserving its legacy as a cornerstone of national communication.
| No. of Administrative Areas | Provinces-09 |
| Administrative Area Names and Abbreviations | Western Province (WP)
Central Province (CP) Southern Province (SP) Northern Province (NP) Eastern Province (EP) North Western Province (NWP) North Central Province (NCP) Uva Province (UP) Sabaragamuwa Province (SGP) |
| Postal Language | Sinhala and Tamil |
| Postal Service Provider | Sri Lanka Post |
Country Information
| Country/Territory Name | Sri Lanka |
| Capital | Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Legislative)
Colombo (Judicial capital) |
| Major Cities | Colombo Kandy Galle Matara Batticaloa Gampaha |
| Endonym | ශ්රී ලංකාව (Sri Lanka) |
| ISO Codes | ISO 3166-1 numeric code- 144
ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code- LK ISO 3166-1 alpha 3 country code- LKA |
Population Information
| Total Population | 23,161,662 (as of November 2024) |
| Urban Population | 4,233,528 |
| Rural Population | 17,803,472 |
| Official Language | Sinhala and Tamil |
| Commonly Spoken Languages | Sinhala, Tamil, English |
PostGrid’s Address Verification Solution
So you have learned how to structure the address format to a recipient in Sri Lanka. But to ensure your address is reaching the intended recipient, you need a verified address. PostGrid address verification solution verifies, standardizes, and offers address autocomplete suggestions in real-time. Whether you want to verify a single address or bulk address, we provide correct, complete, and up-to-date addresses in sync with the official postal service provider for over 245 countries and territories.
Check the Format of More Countries
If you are curious about the format of any other country, visit our international address format page and learn the address format followed in countries around the world.
