title: 2002 in Sri Lanka
text: # 2002 in Sri Lanka
  
  The following lists events that happened during 2002 in Sri Lanka.
  
  ## Incumbents
  
  * President: Chandrika Kumaratunga.
  * Prime Minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe.
  * Chief Justice: Sarath N. Silva.
  
  ### Governors
  
  * Central Province – K. B. Ratnayake (until 27 June); Monty Gopallawa (starting 27 June)
  * North Central Province – G. M. S. Samaraweera
  * North Eastern Province – Asoka Jayawardena
  * North Western Province – Siripala Jayaweera
  * Sabaragamuwa Province – C. N. Saliya Mathew
  * Southern Province – Ananda Dassanayake (until January); Kingsley Wickramaratne (starting 1 February)
  * Uva Province – Sirisena Amarasiri
  * Western Province – Pathmanathan Ramanathan (until 1 February); Alavi Moulana (starting 1 February)
  
  ### Chief Ministers
  
  * Central Province – Sarath Ekanayake (until 30 April); W. M. P. B. Dissanayake (starting 30 April)
  * North Central Province – Berty Premalal Dissanayake
  * North Western Province – S. B. Nawinne (until 2002); Athula Wijesinghe (starting 2002)
  * Sabaragamuwa Province – Mohan Ellawala
  * Southern Province – H. G. Sirisena
  * Uva Province – Aththintha Marakalage Buddhadasa
  * Western Province – Reginald Cooray
  
  ## Events
  
  * Sri Lanka participated in the 2002 Asian Games held in South Korea, from September 29 to October 14, 2002. The Sri Lankan athletes won 2 gold medals (grand total of 6), and achieved 21st spot in the event.
  * Hikkaduwa National Park is established on 19 September 2002, this was done to protect the aquatic ecosystem. Formerly a wildlife sanctuary, it now serves as a national tourist attraction full of diverse wildlife.
  