[2] The municipal council is the second oldest and largest local government authority in Sri Lanka.

Kandy is a charter city, with a Mayor Council form of government.

Head of administration is the Municipal Commissioner, who handles day-to-day operations of the 16 departments that it is made up of.

The Municipal Council provides sewer, road management and waste management services, in case of water, electricity and telephone utility services the council liaises with the Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Ceylon Electricity Board and telephone service providers.

The United National Party has always held control of the Council other than 2011–2015.