Southern Province consists of three districts, namely the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts. The province covers an area of 5,543 square kilometers and has a population of 2.27 million. The western part is humid, but the eastern part is very dry. The annual rainfall is about 3,000 mm and the average temperature is 25℃ in the western part of Southern Province whereas the annual rainfall is less than 600 mm and the average temperature is 28℃ in the eastern part of the province.

The GDP of Southern Province accounts for 10% of the national total and the per capita income is US$ 594. Agriculture contributes 30% of the local GDP, followed by wholesale and retail businesses and the accommodation industry, which contribute another 21% to the local GDP.

48% of the land in Southern Province is used for agriculture and 43% of the workforce is employed in the agricultural or related sectors. The major agricultural products include tea, rubber, coconuts and cinnamon. In addition, raising goats is also common. In coastal areas, fishing is a major industry. There are five fishing ports and the yearly catch accounts for 37% of the national total.

The industry in Southern Province covers businesses ranging from small mills to large factories. Manufacturing and mining account for 48% and 18% respectively of industrial output. Textiles and food processing are the leading industries that provide a large number of job opportunities.

Tourism is the main source of income for local inhabitants, as it employs about 40% of the workforce. According to a survey, 80% of the tourists to Sri Lanka choose Southern Province as their destination to enjoy the beautiful beaches and historical sites.