North Western Province
North Western Province leads Sri Lanka in agriculture (20% of national output) and ranks second in GDP (11.5%) after Western Province.
North Western Province leads Sri Lanka's agricultural production, accounting for 20% of national agricultural output (2024)—the highest share of any province. Coconut cultivation dominates, with Kurunegala as the provincial capital anchoring commercial activity. The province produced Rs. 3.45 trillion of output in 2024, ranking second after Western Province (11.5% of national GDP). Industry contributes 12% of national industrial output, second only to Western Province, reflecting manufacturing diversification beyond Colombo. The province bridges Sri Lanka's ethnic geography—majority Sinhalese but with significant Muslim populations in coastal areas. Puttalam's lagoon fisheries and salt production create distinct coastal economies. By 2026, North Western Province's agricultural leadership positions it to benefit from food security concerns, while proximity to Colombo enables manufacturing spillover as Western Province congestion intensifies.