The districts of Sri Lanka are further divided into administrative sub-units known as divisional secretariats ( ; ). They were originally based on the feudal counties, the korales and ratas. Divisional secretariats are the third-level administrative divisions of the country and there are currently 331 divisional secretariats in Sri Lanka.

They were formerly known as D.R.O. divisions, after the divisional revenue officer. Later the D.R.O.s became assistant government agents and the divisions were known as A.G.A. divisions. Currently, the divisions are administered by a divisional secretary, and are known as D.S. divisions.

History Divisional Secretariats in Sri Lanka were formerly known as D.R.O. divisions, named after the Divisional Revenue Officers, who were responsible for revenue collection and administrative matters. The D.R.O. system was a continuation of the colonial administration model used by the British, who divided the country into administrative units to ensure efficient tax collection and governance.

Following Sri Lanka’s independence in 1948, the government introduced the Assistant Government Agent (A.G.A.) system, replacing the D.R.O. divisions. A.G.A.s were responsible for regional administration and worked under the authority of the Government Agent (G.A.) at the district level.

In 1992, as part of decentralization efforts, A.G.A. divisions were renamed as Divisional Secretariats. The role of Divisional Secretaries expanded beyond revenue collection to include functions such as:

Development Planning – Overseeing economic and social development projects. Public Service Delivery – Coordinating services such as issuing identity documents and land administration. Disaster Management – Responding to emergencies and coordinating relief efforts.

Today, there are 331 Divisional Secretariats across Sri Lanka, each managed by a Divisional Secretary appointed by the central government. Their functions continue to evolve in response to governance needs and development priorities.

Administrative Structure of Divisional Secretariats in Sri Lanka

Divisional Secretary A Divisional Secretary is the chief administrative officer of a Divisional Secretariat and is appointed by the central government. The Divisional Secretary is responsible for implementing government policies, managing public services, and ensuring the administration of development projects at the divisional level.

Key Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions: Implementation of government policies, development programs, and coordination of public services. Regulatory and Legal Responsibilities: Oversight of land administration, birth and death registration, and issuing permits. Coordination Role: Acts as an intermediary between the Central Government, Provincial Councils, and local authorities, ensuring smooth governance.

Divisional Councils (Pradeshiya Sabhas) and Their Leadership Divisional Councils, known as Pradeshiya Sabhas, function as local government bodies overseeing the administration of their respective Divisional Secretariat areas. These councils derive their powers from multiple Acts and Ordinances, including:

Municipal Council Ordinance No. 29 of 1947 Urban Councils Ordinance No. 61 of 1939 Pradeshiya Sabha Act No. 15 of 1987

Unlike Urban and Municipal Councils, Divisional Councils have limited legislative and executive powers, as their authority is subordinate to both the Central Government and Provincial Councils. Additionally, state institutions such as the District Secretary also exercise powers similar to local authorities.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Divisional Councils Each Divisional Council is led by an elected Chairman and a Deputy Chairman, both chosen from the council members.

Chairman

Presides over council meetings. Oversees the implementation of council decisions. Represents the council in official matters. Serves as a Justice of the Peace and Unofficial Magistrate for the district. Has limited executive powers compared to Municipal Council mayors.

Deputy Chairman

Assists the Chairman in executing council decisions. Presides over council meetings in the Chairman's absence. Ensures continuity of governance and service delivery.

Powers and Functions of Divisional Councils Divisional Councils have legal authority to:

Initiate legal action against violators of local ordinances.

Divisional secretariats The 331 divisions are listed below, by district: Province District Divisional secretariats(number of further subdivisions/Grama Niladharis under the divisional secretariat, are shown in parentheses) 36 20 Akurana Delthota Doluwa Gangawata Korale Ganga Ihala Korale Harispattuwa Hatharaliyadda Kundasale Medadumbara Minipe Panvila Pasbage Korale Pathadumbara Pathahewaheta Poojapitiya Thumpane Udadumbara Udapalatha Udunuwara Yatinuwara 11 Ambanganga Korale Dambulla Galewela Laggala-Pallegama Matale Naula Pallepola Rattota Ukuwela Wilgamuwa Yatawatta 10 Ambagamuwa Hanguranketha Kothmale Nuwara Eliya Walapane Norwood Kothmale West Nildandahinna Thalawakale Mathurata 45 20 Addalachchenai Akkaraipattu Alayadiwembu Ampara Damana Dehiattakandiya Eragama Kalmunai Muslim Kalmunai Tamil Karaitivu Lahugala Mahaoya Navithanveli Ninthavur Padiyathalawa Pothuvil Sainthamarathu Samanthurai Thirukkovil Uhana 14 Eravur Pattu Eravur Town Kattankudy Koralai Pattu Koralai Pattu Central Koralai Pattu North Koralai Pattu South Koralai Pattu West Manmunai North Manmunai Pattu Manmunai S. and Eruvil Pattu Manmunai South West Manmunai West Porativu Pattu 11 Gomarankadawala Kantalai Kinniya Kuchchaveli Morawewa Muttur Padavi Sri Pura Seruvila Thambalagamuwa Trincomalee Verugal 29 22 Galnewa (30) Galenbindunuwewa (41) Horowpothana (38) Ipalogama (32) Kahatagasdigiliya (40) Kebithigollewa (26) Kekirawa (53) Mahavilachchiya (17) Medawachchiya (37) Mihinthale (25) Nachchadoowa (19) Nochchiyagama (36) Nuwaragam Palatha Central (40) Nuwaragam Palatha East (29) Padaviya (15) Palagala (35) Palugaswewa (16) Rajanganaya (21) Rambewa (38) Thalawa (39) Thambuttegama (26) Thirappane (41) 7 Dimbulagala Elahera Hingurakgoda Lankapura Medirigiriya Thamankaduwa Welikanda 34 15 Delft Island North Island South Jaffna Karainagar Nallur Thenmaradchi Vadamaradchi East Vadamaradchi North Vadamaradchi South-West Valikamam East Valikamam North Valikamam South Valikamam South-West Valikamam West 4 Kandavalai Karachchi Pachchilaipalli Poonakary 5 Madhu Mannar Manthai West Musalai Nanaddan 6 Manthai East Maritimepattu Oddusuddan Puthukudiyiruppu Thunukkai Welioya 4 Vavuniya Vavuniya North Vavuniya South Vengalacheddikulam 46 30 Alawwa Ambanpola Bamunakotuwa Bingiriya Ehetuwewa Galgamuwa Ganewatta Giribawa Ibbagamuwa Katupotha Kobeigane Kotavehera Kuliyapitiya East Kuliyapitiya West Kurunegala Mahawa Mallawapitiya Maspotha Mawathagama Narammala Nikaweratiya Panduwasnuwara Pannala Polgahawela Polpithigama Rasnayakapura Rideegama Udubaddawa Wariyapola Weerambugedara 16 Anamaduwa Arachchikattuwa Chilaw Dankotuwa Kalpitiya Karuwalagaswewa Madampe Mahakumbukkadawala Mahawewa Mundalama Nattandiya Nawagattegama Pallama Puttalam Vanathavilluwa Wennappuwa 28 11 Aranayaka Bulathkohupitiya Dehiovita Deraniyagala Galigamuwa Kegalle Mawanella Rambukkana Ruwanwella Warakapola Yatiyanthota 17 Ayagama Balangoda Eheliyagoda Elapattha Embilipitiya Godakawela Imbulpe Kahawatta Kalawana Kiriella Kolonna Kuruvita Nivithigala Opanayaka Pelmadulla Ratnapura Weligepola 47 19 Akmeemana Ambalangoda Baddegama Balapitiya Benthota Bope-Poddala Elpitiya Galle Gonapinuwala Habaraduwa Hikkaduwa Imaduwa Karandeniya Nagoda Neluwa Niyagama Thawalama Welivitiya-Divithura Yakkalamulla 12 Ambalantota Angunakolapelessa Beliatta Hambantota Katuwana Lunugamvehera Okewela Sooriyawewa Tangalle Thissamaharama Walasmulla Weeraketiya 16 Akuressa Athuraliya Devinuwara Dickwella Hakmana Kamburupitiya Kirinda Puhulwella Kotapola Malimbada Matara Mulatiyana Pasgoda Pitabeddara Thihagoda Weligama Welipitiya 26 15 Badulla Bandarawela Ella Haldummulla Hali-Ela Haputale Kandaketiya Lunugala Mahiyanganaya Meegahakivula Passara Rideemaliyadda Soranathota Uva-Paranagama Welimada 11 Badalkumbura Bibile Buttala Katharagama Madulla Medagama Moneragala Sevanagala Siyambalanduwa Thanamalvila Wellawaya 40 13 Colombo (35) Dehiwala (15) Homagama (81) Kaduwela (57) Kesbewa (73) Kolonnawa (46) Kotte (20) Maharagama (41) Moratuwa (42) Padukka (46) Ratmalana (13) Seethawaka (68) Thimbirigasyaya (29) 13 Attanagalla Biyagama Divulapitiya Dompe Gampaha Ja-Ela Katana Kelaniya Mahara Minuwangoda Mirigama Negombo Wattala 14 Agalawatta Bandaragama Beruwala Bulathsinhala Dodangoda Horana Ingiriya Kalutara Madurawela Mathugama Millaniya Palindanuwara Panadura Walallavita

See also Provinces of Sri Lanka Districts of Sri Lanka

References

External links Divisional Secretariats Portal Statoids: Divisions of Sri Lanka