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 | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Lalith U. Gamage | 21 November 2019 | 2024 | [4] [5] | ||||
Eastern | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Senthil Thondaman | Ceylon Workers' Congress | 17 May 2023 | 2024 | [6] | |||
North Central | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Maheepala Herath | Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna | 4 December 2019 | 2024 | [7] | |||
North Western | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Naseer Ahamed | Independent | 2 May 2024 | 2024 | ||||
Northern | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | P. S. M. Charles | Independent | 17 May 2023 | 2024 | ||||
Sabaragamuwa | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Navin Dissanayake | United National Party | 13 June 2023 | 2024 | ||||
Uva | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | A. J. M. Muzammil | Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna | 31 August 2020 | 2024 | ||||
Western | Roshan Goonetileke | Independent | 24 March 2020 | 2024 | |||||
Southern | !align="center" style="background:; color:white;" | Willy Gamage | Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna | 21 November 2019 | 2024 |