Chief Minister in Sri Lanka is the elected head of local government

Local government

Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...

 at the provincial

Provinces of Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, provinces are the first level administrative division. They were first established by the British rulers of Ceylon in 1833. Over the next century most of the administrative functions were transferred to the districts, the second level administrative division. By the middle of the...

 level, and is vested with most of the executive powers. The Chief Minister is chosen by legislators of the political party or coalition

Coalition

A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...

 commanding a majority in the provincial council, and serves a six-year term with a provision of re-election. The Governor

Provincial Governors of Sri Lanka

The following is a list of incumbent governors of Sri Lanka. The Governor is the appointed ceremonial head of local government at the provincial level. He/she is appointed by the President and represents the President. The chief executive of the local government is the Chief Minister. There are a...

 is the head of province, but his or her role is largely ceremonial.

There are a total of eight Chief Ministers elected by eight provinces with the only exception of the Northern Province

Northern Province, Sri Lanka

The Northern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...

.

Current Chief Ministers

PROVINCE	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	PARTY	FMR
Central Province	Hon. Sarath Ekanayake	18 July 2004	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Eastern Province Eastern Province, Sri Lanka The Eastern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but they didn't have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...	Hon. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan , is the current Chief Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. He is also the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal , a political party in Sri Lanka...	16 May 2008	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
North Central Province North Central Province, Sri Lanka North Central Province is a province of Sri Lanka. Its capital is Anuradhapura. The province is not densely populated with a weak economy, as the land tends to be dry tropical woodlands.-History:...	Hon. Berty Premalal Dissanayake	June 1999	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party... United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Northern Province Northern Province, Sri Lanka The Northern Province is one of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka. The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils. Between 1988 and 2006 the province was...	Direct rule from Colombo Colombo Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...	1 January 2007		all
North Western Province North Western Province, Sri Lanka North Western Province is a province of Sri Lanka. The districts of Kurunegala and Puttalam formulate Wayamba. Its capital is Kurunegala, which has a population of 28,571. The province is known mainly for its numerous coconut plantations. Other main towns in this province are Chilaw and Puttalam...	Hon. Athula Wijesinghe Athula Wijesinghe Athula Wijesinghe is the Sri Lanka's Chief Minister of North Western Province.He is a Lawyer by profession & was educated at Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala and Nalanda College Colombo.-References:...	2002	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party... United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Sabaragamuwa Province	Hon. Maheepala Herath	16 July 2004	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Southern Province Southern Province, Sri Lanka The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. The region is economically backward compared to the Western province, where the capital Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte is situated...	Hon. Shan Wijayalal De Silva	10 July 2004	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Uva Province	Hon. Shashindra Rajapaksa Shashindra Rajapaksa Shashindra Rajapaksa is the Chief Minister of Uva Province in Sri Lanka and current Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya. He is the eldest son of Chamal Rajapaksa and nephew of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.-External links:...	20 August 2009	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all
Western Province Western Province, Sri Lanka The Western Province is the most densely populated province of Sri Lanka. It is home to the legislative capital Sri Jayawardenapura as well to Colombo, the nation's administrative and business center.-Districts:Basnahira is divided into 3 districts:...	Hon. Prasanna Ranatunge	4 May 2009	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	all

Central Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	W.M.P.B. Dissanayake	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	9 June 1988	June 1998
	Vacant		June 1998	April 1999
2	Sarath Ekanayake	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	April 1999	June 1999
3	Nandimithra Ekanayake Nandimithra Ekanayake Ekanayake Mudiyanselage Mahinda Nandimithra Ekanayake is a Sri Lankan politician, a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and a government minister.-References:...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	June 1999	6 November 2000
4	Sarath Ekanayake	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	6 November 2000	30 April 2002
5	W.M.P.B. Dissanayake	United National Front	30 April 2002	May 2003
	Wasantha Aluvihare (acting)	United National Front	19 May 2003	June 2003
6	Wasantha Aluvihare	United National Front	June 2003	18 July 2004

Eastern Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
	Direct rule from Colombo Colombo Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...		1 January 2007	16 May 2008

North Central Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	G.D. Mahindasoma	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	8 May 1988	2 May 1996
2	Jayasena Dissanayake	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	2 May 1996	June 1998
	Vacant		June 1998	April 1999
3	Jayani Dissanayake	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	15 April 1999	June 1999

North Eastern Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	Varatharaja Perumal	Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front The Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front is a Sri Lankan political party and a former militant separatist group.-Militant separatists:The EPRLF was formed in 1980 by K...	10 December 1988	10 March 1990
	Direct rule from Colombo Colombo Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...		10 March 1990	31 December 2006

North Western Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	Gamini Jayawickrama Perera Gamini Jayawickrama Perera Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera a Member of Parliament representing Kurunegala District.He is the Chairman of United National Party and former Cabinet Minister ....	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	4 May 1988	19 October 1993
2	G. M. Premachandra G. M. Premachandra G. M. Premachandra was the Cabinet Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of United National Party government from 1990-94. He was re-elected from the Parliamentary election of 1994...	Democratic United National Front Democratic United National Front The Democratic United National Front is a political party in Sri Lanka.At the last legislative elections, held on 2 April 2004, the party was part of the United People's Freedom Alliance that won 45.6 % of the popular vote and 105 out of 225 seats....	19 October 1993	27 August 1994
3	R. Nimal Bandara	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	27 August 1994	28 January 1999
4	S.B. Nawinne S.B. Nawinne R. M. Seneviratne Bandara Nawinne is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-References:...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	28 January 1999	2002

Sabaragamuwa Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	G. V. Punchinilame	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	April 1988	April 1989
2	Abeyratne Pilapitiya	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	10 April 1989	March 1993
3	H. Jayatilake Podinilame	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	March 1993	June 1998
	Vacant		June 1998	April 1999
4	Kantha Gunatilleke	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	April 1999	June 1999
5	Athauda Seneviratne Athauda Seneviratne Athauda Seneviratne is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-References:*...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	June 1999	October 2000
6	Asoka Jayawardena	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	October 2000	13 December 2001
7	Mohan Saliya Ellawala Mohan Saliya Ellawala Mohan Saliya Ellawala was Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka from October 2, 2008 up until his death in 2009. He had previously been Chief Minister of the province from December 13, 2001 until July 16, 2004....	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	13 December 2001	16 July 2004

Southern Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	Matarage Sirisena Amarasiri	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	16 June 1988	October 1993
2	Amarasiri Dodangoda Amarasiri Dodangoda Amarasiri Dodangoda was the Cabinet Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs of Sri Lanka from April 2004 until 2005. He served as Chief minister of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka for one term from 1993 to 1994 and another term in 1994. He represented Galle district in parliament...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	October 1993	January 1994
	Vacant		January 1994	March 1994
3	Amarasiri Dodangoda Amarasiri Dodangoda Amarasiri Dodangoda was the Cabinet Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs of Sri Lanka from April 2004 until 2005. He served as Chief minister of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka for one term from 1993 to 1994 and another term in 1994. He represented Galle district in parliament...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	March 1994	September 1994
4	Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is a Sri Lankan politician and landed proprietor.He is the Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	September 1994	21 December 2001
5	H. G. Sirisena	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	21 December 2001	July 2004

Uva Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	Percy Samaraweera	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	May 1988	June 1998
	Vacant		June 1998	April 1999
2	Nalini Weerawanni	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	April 1999	April 1999
3	Samaraweera Weerawanni	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	April 1999	29 October 2001
4	Aththintha Marakalage Buddhadasa	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	29 October 2001	22 July 2004
5	Gamini Vijith Vijithamuni Soysa	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	22 July 2004	20 August 2009

Western Province

No.	|Party	|Left Office
1	Susil Moonesinghe Susil Moonesinghe Susil Moonesinghe is a Sri Lankan lawyer, politician and diplomat and current Chairman of State Trading Wholesale Company Ltd. A former Chief Minister of the Western Provincial Council and a member of parliament, he was a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Iran...	United National Party United National Party The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...	9 June 1988	16 March 1993
2	Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga	Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya The Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya is a political party in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1984 by Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Was led by Chandrika Kumaratunga 1985-1990.... People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	2 June 1993	22 August 1994
3	Morris Rajapakse	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	22 August 1994	11 July 1995
4	A. D. Susil Premajayanth A. D. Susil Premajayanth Achchige Don Susil Premajayanth is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-References:...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	13 July 1995	June 1998
	Vacant		June 1998	April 1999
5	A. D. Susil Premajayanth A. D. Susil Premajayanth Achchige Don Susil Premajayanth is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-References:...	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party...	April 1999	9 November 2000
6	Reginald Cooray	People's Alliance People's Alliance (Sri Lanka) The People's Alliance is a front of political parties in Sri Lanka, formed in 1994.It comprises the following parties:* Sri Lanka Freedom Party* Lanka Sama Samaja Party* Communist Party of Sri Lanka* Sri Lanka Mahajana Party... United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	9 November 2000	22 June 2005
7	Nandana Mendis	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	22 June 2005	3 July 2005
8	Reginald Cooray	United People's Freedom Alliance United People's Freedom Alliance The United People's Freedom Alliance is a political alliance in Sri Lanka. The current leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance is Mahinda Rajapaksa and Susil Premajayantha is the general secretary of UPFA.The alliance was formed by:...	3 July 2005	4 May 2009