It is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is found in the south-west of the island at elevations between 30 and 1,230 m.[1][2] The specific name kelaartii honours Edward Frederick Kelaart, a Ceylonese-born physician and zoologist.

[4] Kelaart's toad is endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka where it is found at altitudes of up to 1,230 m (4,035 ft) above sea level.

Its typical habitat is tropical humid forests where it occurs in the leaf litter on the ground near upland streams.

[4] Kelaart's toad is fairly common in suitable habitat within its range but it occupies a total area of less than 500 square kilometres (190 sq mi) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being a "vulnerable species".

[1] The chief threats it faces are the destruction of its forest habitat as trees are cut down and the land turned to agricultural use.