Government of Sri Lanka

Quick Facts: Who was Government of Sri Lanka?

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Government of Sri Lanka

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Semi-presidential republic governing the island nation of Sri Lanka.

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Origins & Early Life

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී ලංකා රජය, romanised: Śrī Laṅkā Rajaya; Tamil: இலங்கை அரசாங்கம், romanised: Ilaṇkai Aracāṅkam) is a semi-presidential republic determined by the Sri Lankan Constitution. It administers the island from both its commercial capital of Colombo and the administrative capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The Constitution of Sri Lanka has been the constitution of the island nation of Sri Lanka since its original promulgation by the National State Assembly on 7 September 1978. It is Sri Lanka's second republican constitution and its third constitution since the country's independence (as Ceylon) in 1948, after the Donoughmore Constitution, Soulbury Constitution, and Constitution of 1972. As of October 2020, it has been formally amended 21 times.

Career & Major Achievements

The President, directly elected for a five-year term, is head of state, head of government, chief executive, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The election occurs under the Sri Lankan form of the contingent vote. Responsible to Parliament for the exercise of duties under the constitution and laws, the president may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of Parliament with the concurrence of the Supreme Court. The President appoints and heads a cabinet of ministers responsible to Parliament. The president's deputy is the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who leads the ruling party in Parliament.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The President can dissolve the cabinet and appoint a new one at any time. The Parliament has 225 members, elected for a six-year term, 196 members elected in multi-seat constituencies and 29 by proportional representation. The President may summon, suspend, or end a legislative session and dissolve Parliament any time after it has served for one year. Parliament reserves the power to make all laws. The primary modification is that the party that receives the largest number of valid votes in each constituency gains a unique "bonus seat" (see Hickman, 1999).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1948: 1948 Milestone — It is Sri Lanka's second republican constitution and its third constitution since the country's independence (as Ceylon) in 1948, after the Donoughmore Constitution, Soulbury Constitution, and Constitution of 1972.
2. 1978: 1978 Milestone — The Constitution of Sri Lanka has been the constitution of the island nation of Sri Lanka since its original promulgation by the National State Assembly on 7 September 1978.
3. 1999: 1999 Milestone — The primary modification is that the party that receives the largest number of valid votes in each constituency gains a unique "bonus seat" (see Hickman, 1999).
4. 2020: 2020 Milestone — As of October 2020, it has been formally amended 21 times.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Government of Sri Lanka

True or False: “The Constitution of Sri Lanka has only been amended once since its original promulgation in 1978.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): As of October 2020, the Constitution has been formally amended 21 times.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Government of Sri Lanka