Sri Lanka - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Sri Lanka, it was the name is composed of the Sanskrit words shri (happiness or holiness) and lanka (island); the former name Serendib was an Arabic derivation of the Sanskrit word simhaladvipa, or "island of the place of lions;" the former name Ceylon came from the Sanskrit simha, or "lion". The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
National symbols
Lion, water lily.
The flag
The National flag of Sri Lanka has .
Info
The National Anthem
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More about the government of Sri Lanka
| Date of Independence | 4 February 1948 (from the UK) |
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| National holiday | Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948) |
| Legal system | mixed system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | no |
| Citizenship by descent only | at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 7 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (since 23 September 2024) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Harini AMARASURIYA (since 24 September 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister |
| Election/appointment process | president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president |
| Most recent election date | 21 September 2024 |
| Election results | 2024: Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE elected president; percent of vote after reallocation - Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE (JVP) 55.9%, Sajith PREMADASA (SJB) 44.1% 2022: Ranil WICKREMESINGHE elected president by Parliament on 20 July 2022; Parliament vote - WICKREMESINGHE (UNP) 134, Dullas ALAHAPPERUMA (SLPP) 82 |
| Expected date of next election | 2029 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 225 (196 directly elected; 29 indirectly elected) |
| Electoral system | Proportional representation |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 11/14/2024 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | National People's Power (Jathika Jana Balawegaya, NPP) (159); Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) (40); Other (26) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 9.8% |
| Expected date of next election | November 2029 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 9 justices); has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation |
| Judge selection and term of office | Chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65 |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 13 January 2022) |
| Chancery | 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 483-4025 |
| FAX | [1] 202-232-2329 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://slembassyusa.org/ |
| Consulate(s) general | Los Angeles |
| Consulate(s) | New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022) |
| Embassy | 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03 |
| Mailing address | 6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC 20521-6100 |
| Telephone | [94] (11) 249-8500 |
| FAX | [94] (11) 243-7345 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://lk.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 8 (6 cultural, 2 natural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n) |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Sri Lanka
Info
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Sri Lanka
Want to know more about Sri Lanka? Check all different factbooks for Sri Lanka below.
