The ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) won the Provincial council election in the Eastern Province 2008, by securing 20 seats against 15 by the main opposition the United National Party (UNP). The Jantha Vimukthi Peramua (JVP) and Tamils' Democratic National Alliance (TDNA) won one seat each.

In Batticaloa district UPFA secured the power winning 6 seats. The UNP won 4 seats and TDNA one seat. Ampara district was also won by the UPFA with 8 seats against the 6 of the UNP.

The UNP won the most number of seats in Trincomalee district winning 5 seats against f the UPFA. The JVP also won one seat.

The election result for the whole province is as follows: