2008 Sri Lanka Eastern Provincial Council election

The 2008 Eastern Provincial Council election was a significant political event in Sri Lanka, held on May 10, 2008. This election marked the first instance of provincial elections in the Eastern Province since the conclusion of the Sri Lankan Civil War, highlighting the region's critical geopolitical importance, particularly in relation to India. The election allowed for the establishment of a provincial council, aimed at enhancing local governance and addressing ethnic concerns in a region predominantly inhabited by Tamils and Muslims. The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) emerged victorious, securing a majority, which was supported by India’s diplomatic engagement in post-war reconciliation efforts. The electoral outcomes were perceived as pivotal in shaping Sri Lanka's political landscape and its foreign relations, especially with neighboring India.