Uva Province (Sri Lanka)

Geography and environment

Uva occupies a mix of central highland and drier lowland terrain. It comprises two districts, Badulla and Moneragala, and shares boundaries with the Eastern, Southern and Central provinces. The landscape includes parts of the Central mountain range and the Gal Oya hills, producing steep valleys, plateaus and plains. The climate varies from cool, misty uplands to warmer plains influenced by seasonal monsoon rains.

Rivers, reservoirs and natural features

Major waterways in Uva include tributaries of the island's longest river system and locally important rivers such as the Mahaweli and Menik. Large reservoirs created for irrigation and hydroelectric storage—Senanayake Samudraya and Maduru Oya—play a key role in the provincial water supply and agriculture. The province is also known for waterfalls and protected areas that attract visitors and support biodiversity.

• Dunhinda Falls
• Diyaluma Falls
• Rawana Falls
• Yala and Gal Oya National Parks (partly within Uva)

History and administration

The modern administrative identity of Uva dates to colonial-era reforms of the late 1800s, though the region's history is older and includes episodes such as the early 19th-century uprising often referred to as the Uva–Wellassa rebellion. Today the province is governed through its two districts, each subdivided into divisional secretariats and local councils responsible for public services, land administration and development planning.

Economy, land use and transport

Agriculture is the principal livelihood in Uva: tea and vegetable cultivation on the highlands, paddy and dry-zone crops in the plains, and livestock in many rural communities. The reservoirs support irrigation projects, while small-scale industry and services are concentrated around Badulla and other towns. Transport is dominated by road links; the Main Line railway from the west terminates at Badulla, providing a scenic but limited rail connection to the rest of the island.

Tourism and conservation

Uva's combination of waterfalls, forested hills and wildlife areas makes it attractive for nature tourism, birdwatching and trekking. National parks and protected reserves overlap provincial boundaries and are managed with national-level conservation policies; visitors commonly access these sites from Uva's towns and guesthouses. Sustainable development and balancing irrigation, hydro projects and habitat protection remain ongoing regional priorities.

For further administrative details, maps and services see provincial resources and official district information pages: district overview, Badulla, and regional references for neighboring provinces: Eastern, Southern, Central. Language and cultural background: Sinhala, Tamil.

Additional reference points and broader national context can be found through general country resources: Sri Lanka. For maps and tourism guidance consult official park and transport pages: language and place names, cultural notes.