Thilina Bandara Tennakoon, is due to be sworn-in as Chief Minister of the Central Province, replacing Sarath Ekanayake.

This development follows the submission of affidavits by 32 UPFA members of the council to the Governor of the Province, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, requesting that UPFA Councilor, Thilina Bandara Tennakoon be made Chief Minister the Central Provincial Council.

It is expected that once Tennakoon is appointed Chief Minister, the Provincial Council would officially pledge its support to President Maithripala Sirisena.

Thilina Bandara Tennakoon is the son of former Central Province Council Minister Yasaratne Tennakoon. He was the chief whip of the government in the council.

This change of the council comes days after the North Western Provincial Council pledged its support to President Maithripala Sirisena and Harin Fernando was appointed as Uva Province Chief Minister.