A Governor of a Province in Sri Lanka, is the head of the provincial council and representative of the President of Sri Lanka in the province. Established in 1987, under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and deriving its powers from the Provincial Council Act No 47 of 1987, a governor exercises executive power in respect of subjects devolved to provincial council.[1] [2]
The Governor is appointed by the President for a period of five years and holds the position at the pleasure of the President.[1]
A Provincial Governor is considered equal to a Cabinet Minister in rank and within his/her province the governor is placed after cabinet ministers and the leader of the opposition in the order of precedence.
As per the Provincial Councils (Payment of Salaries and Allowances) Act, No. 37 of 1988, the governor is entitled to monthly salary and allowances equal of a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers.[3]
The Governor is entitled to an official residence, as well as an office and personal staff allocated from the provincial council.
As with a Cabinet Minister, a Governor is entitled to three vehicles, which includes an official vehicle and security vehicle provided and maintained by the provincial council.
Traditionally security for Governors have been provided by the Sri Lanka Police. During emergencies military units have been allocated to bolster security to certain Governors based on treat levels.
Central | Sarath Abeykoon | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] | |
Eastern | Jayantha Lal Ratnasekara | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
North Central | Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
North Western | Tissa Kumarasiri | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
Northern | Nagalingam Vedanayagam | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
Sabaragamuwa | Champa Janaki Rajaratne | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
Uva | Kapila Jayasekera | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
Western | Hanif Yusuf | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 | ||
Southern | Bandula Harischandra | Independent | 25 September 2024 | 2029 |