Sri Lanka · Government
Government and administration in Sri Lanka
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state and government — President
- Directly elected; heads the cabinet and appoints ministers.
- Executive — Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Prime Minister leads the government in Parliament.
- Legislative — Parliament
- Unicameral, 225 members elected by proportional representation.
- Judiciary — Supreme Court and Court of Appeal
- Appointments involve the Constitutional Council.
- Oversight — Independent commissions
- Elections, police, public service, bribery and human rights commissions.
How legislation is made
Bills are published in the Gazette at least seven days before first reading, which is the trigger for the one-week window to petition the Supreme Court. A bill inconsistent with the Constitution needs a two-thirds majority, and in some cases a referendum. After enactment the Speaker's certificate is conclusive and the Act is immune from challenge.
Enforcement institutions
- Sri Lanka Police
- National force under the National Police Commission.
- Attorney-General's Department
- Conducts prosecutions and advises the state.
- Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
- Anti-corruption investigation and prosecution.
- Inland Revenue Department
- Income tax and VAT administration.
- Registrar of Companies
- Company incorporation under the Companies Act 2007.
Government bodies and regulators
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