1982 Sri Lankan presidential election

1982 Sri Lankan presidential election

20 October 1982
Turnout81.06%
 
Nominee J. R. Jayewardene Hector Kobbekaduwa
Party UNP SLFP
Popular vote 3,450,811 2,548,438
Percentage 52.91% 39.07%

Results by polling division

President before election

J. R. Jayewardene
UNP

Elected President

J. R. Jayewardene
UNP

Presidential elections were held in Sri Lanka for the first time on 20 October 1982. Incumbent president J. R. Jayewardene of the governing United National Party was re-elected, receiving 53% of all valid votes cast, defeating his main opponent Hector Kobbekaduwa of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.