The Kotte Urban Development Council was created in the 1930s, with a modern building at Rajagiriya.

There are 20 Members of the Municipal Council (MMCs), elected on proportional representation.

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious urban centre.

According to the census of 2012 the demographics by ethnicity and religion is as follows: Population by Religion (2012) Population by Ethnicity (2012) The Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council is divided into 16 wards and is represented by 20 councillors, elected using an open list proportional representation system.

[13] The Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council has six standing departments each headed by the mayor.