The Governor of the Central Province, Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, has submitted his letter of resignation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, citing personal reasons.
Prof. Abeykoon told Ada Derana that he sent the resignation letter to the President several days ago but has not yet received a response, and that the President has made no official statement on whether it has been accepted or rejected. He said his decision to step down was based on personal reasons.
A well-known academic, Prof. Abeykoon previously served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya before his appointment as Governor.
His departure leaves two of the province’s most senior administrative posts vacant at the same time. The position of Secretary to the Central Province Governor is also unfilled following the recent retirement of Manjula Madahapola. Ishan Wijethilake, Secretary of the Central Province Public Service Commission, has been appointed to act in the role until a permanent appointment is made.
Provincial governors are appointed directly by the President and serve as the head of the executive at the provincial level, representing the central government in each of Sri Lanka’s nine provinces. The President’s office had not commented on when a replacement for the Central Province would be named.
