Government

Government[edit]

Main articles: Constitution of Sri Lanka and Elections in Sri Lanka

National Symbols of Sri Lanka
Flag	Lion Flag
Emblem	Gold Lion Passant
Anthem	Sri Lanka Matha
Butterfly	Troides darsius
Bird	Sri Lanka Junglefowl
Flower	Red and Blue Water Lily
Tree	Ceylon Ironwood (Nā)
Sport	Volleyball
Source: [182][183]
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The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Sri Lanka is a democratic republic and a unitary state which is governed by a semi-presidential system, with a mixture of a presidential system and a parliamentary system.^[184] It constitutes a parliamentary system governed under the constitution. Most provisions of the constitution can be amended by a two-thirds majority in parliament. However, the amendment of certain basic features such as the clauses on language, religion, and reference to Sri Lanka as a unitary state require both a two-thirds majority and approval in a nation-wide referendum.
In common with many democracies, the Sri Lankan government has three branches:

• Executive: The President of Sri Lanka is the head of state, the commander in chief of the armed forces, as well as head of government, and is popularly elected for a six-year term.^[185] In the exercise of duties, the President is responsible to the parliament. The President appoints and heads a cabinet of ministers composed of elected members of parliament.^[186] The president is immune from legal proceedings while in office with respect to any acts done or omitted to be done by him or her in either an official or private capacity.^[187] Following passage of the 18th amendment to the constitution in 2010, the President has no term limit, which previously stood at two terms.^[188]
• Legislative: The Parliament of Sri Lanka is a unicameral 225-member legislature with 196 members elected in multi-seat constituencies and 29 elected by proportional representation.^[189] Members are elected by universal (adult) suffrage based on a modified proportional representation system by district to a six-year term. The president may summon, suspend, or end a legislative session and dissolve Parliament any time after it has served for one year. The parliament reserves the power to make all laws.^[190] The president's deputy, the Prime Minister, leads the ruling party in parliament and shares many executive responsibilities, mainly in domestic affairs.
• Judicial: Sri Lanka's judiciary consists of a Supreme Court – the highest and final superior court of record,^[190] a Court of Appeal, High Courts and a number of subordinate courts. The highly complex legal system reflects diverse cultural influences.^[191] Criminal law is based almost entirely on British law. Basic Civil law derives from Roman law and Dutch law. Laws pertaining to marriage, divorce, and inheritance are communal.^[192] Due to ancient customary practices and/or religion, the Sinhala customary law (Kandyan law), the Thesavalamai, and Sharia law are followed in special cases.^[193] The President appoints judges to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Courts. A judicial service commission, composed of the Chief Justice and two Supreme Court judges, appoints, transfers, and dismisses lower court judges.