Sri Lanka - Constitution

Sri Lanka is a democratic republic with an executive presidency on the French model. Under the 1978 constitution, the head of state and government is the president. There is universal adult suffrage with proportional representation; parliamentary and presidential elections are held every six years. Parliament has a single chamber with 225 members. Members are directly elected, but vacant seats occurring during the life of a parliament go to nominees of the party holding the seat.

Ministers are appointed by the president, who chairs the cabinet and appoints the independent judiciary. Amendments may be made to the constitution, subject to a two-thirds majority in parliament, ruling by the Supreme Court and the holding of a nationwide referendum. The constitution provides for provincial councils.