The Manthri.lk platform has highlighted several intriguing insights into the history of presidential elections in Sri Lanka.
Firstly, the Polonnaruwa district has consistently voted for the winning candidate in the last eight presidential elections, making it a reliable barometer for electoral success.
Secondly, aside from the winner and the runner-up, only two candidates in history—G.G. Ponnambalam in 1982 and Oswin Abeygunasekara in 1988—have managed to win a constituency. G.G. Ponnambalam remains the sole candidate to achieve this distinction.
Thirdly, from 1982 to 2019, the provinces that produced presidential winners were primarily the North-Central, Western, and Southern provinces, showcasing a regional trend in leadership.
Additionally, it’s notable that only four women candidates have participated in the last eight presidential elections. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga made history in 1994 by becoming Sri Lanka’s first female president, securing over 60% of the vote.
Finally, the 2005 presidential election recorded the narrowest margin between the winner and runner-up, with Mahinda Rajapaksa defeating Ranil Wickremesinghe by just 1.86%. The election was particularly significant, as 3,500,382 votes were not cast, with only a majority of 180,786 votes separating the two candidates.
These facts provide a unique lens through which to understand the dynamics of presidential elections in Sri Lanka and their implications for the country’s political landscape.
