What is the official capital city of Sri Lanka under its present constitutional arrangement?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic political geography by asking for the official capital of Sri Lanka. Many countries designate different cities for administrative, legislative, and commercial functions. Sri Lanka is one such example where popular perception and formal constitutional designation differ. Colombo is widely known as the largest city and commercial hub, while another city is recognized as the official capital under the constitution.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options include Colombo, Sri Jayewardenepura, Ceylon, and Kandy.
• Colombo is the main commercial city, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte is the official capital, Ceylon is the former colonial name for the country, and Kandy is an important historical city.
• The question asks specifically for the official capital city.
• We assume the current constitutional arrangement remains the reference point.

Concept / Approach:
Sri Lanka's official capital, where the national legislature is located, is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, often shortened to Sri Jayewardenepura. Colombo functions as the commercial and sometimes administrative centre but is not the designated capital under the constitution. Ceylon is the former name of the country and not a city, while Kandy is a major cultural centre but not the capital. Therefore, the correct answer from the options is Sri Jayewardenepura, which refers to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Sri Lanka declared Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte as its official capital and seat of Parliament. Step 2: Recognize that Colombo, although economically important and internationally known, is considered the commercial capital. Step 3: Note that Ceylon is an old name for the country itself, not a city, and Kandy is a historic city famous for cultural and religious sites. Step 4: Choose Sri Jayewardenepura as the official capital city from the options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reference works on world capitals, atlases, and official Sri Lankan government information consistently list Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte as the legislative and official capital of Sri Lanka. They also explain that Colombo remains the principal city for business, foreign missions, and many administrative offices. No reputable source presents Ceylon or Kandy as the current capital, confirming the choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Colombo, although central to Sri Lanka's economy and governance, is not the officially designated capital in the constitutional sense. Ceylon is an outdated colonial name for the nation and is not a city. Kandy is an important inland city known for the Temple of the Tooth and cultural heritage but does not serve as the national capital. Thus, none of these options match the requirement of being the official capital city.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates instinctively choose Colombo because it is the most familiar Sri Lankan city and is often referred to as the capital in casual conversation. Others may be unfamiliar with the name Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte and hesitate to select it. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to study world capitals carefully, including cases where legislative and commercial capitals differ.

Final Answer:
The official capital city of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, represented in the options as Sri Jayewardenepura.