Sri Lankan presidential election, 1982

1st Sri Lankan presidential election

20 October 1982 1988 →
Turnout	81.06%
Nominee J. R. Jayewardene Hector Kobbekaduwa Party United National Party Sri Lanka Freedom Party Home state Colombo District States carried 21 0 Popular vote 3,450,811 2,548,438 Percentage 52.91% 39.07%
Winners of polling divisions. Jayewardene in green and Kobbekaduwa in blue.
President before election J. R. Jayewardene United National Party Elected President J. R. Jayewardene United National Party

J. R. Jayewardene
United National Party

J. R. Jayewardene
United National Party

The Sri Lankan presidential election of 1982 was the first presidential election of Sri Lanka. Nominations were accepted on 17 September 1982, and the election was held on 20 October 1982. Electoral participation was 81.06%. Incumbent president J. R. Jayewardene of the governing United National Party was elected, receiving 53% of all votes cast.