List of heads of state of Sri Lanka

This is a list of the heads of state of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), from the independence of the Dominion of Ceylon in 1948 to the present day.

From 1948 to 1972, under the Ceylon Independence Act 1947 (11 & 12 Geo. 6. c. 7), the monarch the served as the head of state of Ceylon, and was represented in Ceylon by a governor-general. Ceylon became a republic under the Constitution of 1972, and the monarch was replaced by a ceremonial president. Since 1978, under the current constitution, the president has executive powers, serving as both the head of state and head of government.

Monarch of Ceylon (1948–1972)

From 1948 to 1972, the monarch served as the head of state of Ceylon. The governor-general of Ceylon represented the monarch and exercised the duties of the head of state.

Under the 1972 Constitution of the Republic of Sri Lanka, the president of Sri Lanka replaced the monarch as the ceremonial head of state. The president was elected by the National Assembly for a six-year term. In the event of a vacancy, the prime minister would serve as acting president.

In the 1978 Constitution, the presidency was made an executive post, otherwise all other the rules were the same as in the 1972 constitution.