The president is the chief executive of the union government and the commander-in-chief of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces.

[2] Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the 10th and current president, having assumed office on 23 September 2024, after being declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

The governor-general replaced the position of the Governor of British Ceylon, who had previously exercised executive control over the entire island since 1815.

[6] In 1972, the new Republican Constitution declared Sri Lanka a parliamentary republic with a president as head of state.

The president was a largely ceremonial figure; real power remained vested in the prime minister.

The president was the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, head of the cabinet of ministers, and has the power to dissolve and call a parliament.

[9] In 2010, the highly controversial 18th Amendment to the constitution was introduced in order to remove the two-term limit for the presidency.

It curtailed any president's immunity by making them liable to fundamental rights litigation on any official act.

[12] In 2022, the country caved into a severe economic crisis, and as result, mass anti-government protests erupted across Sri Lanka.

After Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected president by the parliament.

One of the key provisions in 21st Amendment is disqualifying dual-citizens from contesting in elections in Sri Lanka.

In the case when the president is unable to perform their duties, their powers are temporarily transferred to the prime minister until confirmed by Parliament.

Furthermore, Article 31 (3A) of the Constitution states that an any person succeeding to the office of President under the provisions of Article 40 shall not be entitled to exercise the right to call an early Presidential election and will hold the office till expiration of the term of his Predecessor.

They can place the country or any part under a state of emergency, under which they can override any law passed and promulgate any regulation without needing legislative approval.

In case of external invasion, a state of national defense can be proclaimed, which allows the government extraordinary powers.

Through this role, they are responsible for carrying out negotiations with foreign leaders and their governments and appoint diplomatic agents.

[27] The president has immunity from both civil or criminal proceedings, during the tenure of office and acts carried out during this period.

Other presidential residences include: In recent years from time to time Prime Minister's House, commonly referred to as Temple Trees, which has been the traditional residence of the prime minister since 1948, has been used by some presidents such as Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

For ground travel, the president uses the presidential state car, which is an armored black Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S600) Pullman Guard.

During ceremonial occasions, ships and boats of the Sri Lanka Navy have been commissioned as the presidential yacht.

During President Mahinda Rajapakse's time in office the specialized Army unit the 'President's Guard' was formed for Presidential Security.

[29] Currently the president's security is provided by the elite Special Task Force (STF) of the Sri Lanka Police.

The 'Attaché Case', Presidential Dispatch Bag carries important and secret documents wherever president is traveling.

7 of 1978 to provide funds for relief of poverty, access to special healthcare, advancement of education or knowledge, advancement of the religion and culture, providing awards to persons who have served the nation and for any other purposes beneficial or of interest to the public.

While most Presidents retired from public life after their tenure, Mahinda Rajapaksa continued to engage in active politics after his term in office, serving as a Member of Parliament for Kurunegala from 2015 to 2024, Leader of the Opposition from 2018 to 2019, and Prime Minister from 2019 to 2022; while Sirisena served as Member of Parliament for Polonnaruwa from 2020 to 2024.