What is the capital of Sri Lanka?

• A. Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
• B. Dhaka
• C. Colombo
• D. Malé

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is what people mean by the term “capital city” and how that can differ from official designations. In many countries there’s an official capital where the government sits, but there may also be a city that serves as the economic heart or is historically treated as the capital by people and everyday references.

For Sri Lanka, the official capital where Parliament meets is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Colombo, on the other hand, is the country’s largest city and its main commercial hub, and it has long been regarded as the capital in common usage and in many general references. That’s why, in this context, Colombo is considered the best answer: it aligns with the widespread way people think of Sri Lanka’s capital in everyday knowledge.

The other options point to places not associated with Sri Lanka’s capital in common usage—the capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka, and the capital of the Maldives is Malé.