Objective: To determine the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding, the predominant breast feeding rate and the bottle feeding rate, and to identify the factors influencing exclusive breast feedingin the Gampaha district.Methodology: A sample of 1075 mothers, each with a child aged less than 365 days was identified from two randomly selected Medical Officer of Health areas, Information related to birth and feeding practices were obtained using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Mothers' knowledge on breastfeeding was also assessed.Results: Initiation of breast feeding was universal, with an exclusive breast feeding rate (EBF)of 63.7%. Logistic regression analysis identified that 'mother working outside the home', delivery being not a normal delivery, not receiving antenatal education and poor knowledge on EBF were negatively associated with EBF.Conclusions: Even though an improvement in the EBF rate is seen over the past years, thereis a need to strengthen antenatal and post-natal practices to encourage EBF and to develop innovative strategies to promote EBF among working women.