President of Sri Lanka
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President of Sri Lanka | |
---|---|
ශ්රී ලංකා ජනාධිපති இலங்கை சனாதிபதி | |
Style |
|
Member of | Cabinet National Security Council |
Residence | President's House |
Nominator | Citizens of Sri Lanka |
Appointer | Direct election See eligibility |
Term length | Five years, renewable once |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Sri Lanka |
Precursor | Monarch of Ceylon |
Inaugural holder | William Gopallawa under the 1972 Constitution |
Formation | 22 May 1972 |
First holder | William Gopallawa |
Succession | Sri Lankan presidential line of succession |
Deputy | Prime Minister |
Website | president Presidential Secretariat |
The president of Sri Lanka (
History
Sri Lanka portal |
Under the Soulbury Constitution which consisted of the Ceylon Independence Act, 1947 and The Ceylon (Constitution and Independence) Orders in Council 1947, Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was known then) became a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The monarch of Ceylon served as the head of state, represented by the governor-general with the prime minister serving as the head of government. The governor-general replaced the position of the Governor of British Ceylon, who had previously exercised executive control over the entire island since 1815.[2]
In 1972, the new Republican Constitution declared Sri Lanka a republic, and Sri Lanka was no longer a constitutional monarchy. The governor-general was replaced by the office of President of Sri Lanka. The president was a mostly ceremonial head of state, with real power vested in the prime minister.[3]
In 1978, the second amendment to the Constitution moved from a
The 17th Constitutional Amendment introduced in 2001 reduced certain powers of the president, in particular in regard to the appointment of the upper judiciary and independent commissions such as the election commission or the bribery and corruption commission.[5]
In 2010, the highly controversial 18th Amendment to the constitution was introduced in order to remove the two-term limit for the presidency. The 18th amendment allowed the incumbent president to serve multiple terms as well as increase their power by replacing the broader constitutional council with a limited parliamentary council. This amendment was introduced by president Mahinda Rajapaksa and he later went on to run for a third term of presidency in 2015, wherein he was defeated by Maithripala Sirisena.[6]
The 19th Constitutional Amendment undid much of the changes done by the 18th Amendment. The two-term limit was restored by president Maithripala Sirisena. The amendment required the president to consult the prime minister on ministerial appointments. It curtailed any president's immunity by making them liable to fundamental rights litigation on any official act.[7]
In 2022, the country caved into a severe economic crisis, and as result, mass anti-government protests erupted across Sri Lanka. The protesters demanded for then-incumbent president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government step down. The protestors also demanded amendments to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and to reduce the powers of the President. After Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected president by the parliament.
In October 2022, the 21st Constitutional Amendment was introduced as plan to empower the parliament over the executive president and curbs some of the powers of the president. Under the 21st Amendment, the President, Cabinet of Ministers and National Council are all held accountable to the parliament. Fifteen Committees and Oversight Committees are also accountable to parliament. One of the key provisions in 21st Amendment is disqualifying dual-citizens from contesting in elections in Sri Lanka.[8]
Selection process
Eligibility
The article 31 Constitution of Sri Lanka sets the following qualifications for holding the presidency:
- "The person is a citizen having been nominated as a candidate for such office by a recognized political party or elected member of the legislature."
- "No person who has been twice elected to the office of President by the People, shall be qualified thereafter to be elected to such office by the People."
- The person can only hold the citizenship of Sri Lanka.
Election
The president is elected to office in a presidential election held nationwide for a five-year term. An elected president can serve for a maximum of two terms, with each term taking effect from the date of taking a public oath of office for the elected term.
Article 31 (3A)(a)(i) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, states that, the "President may, at any time after the expiration of four years from the commencement of his first term of office, by Proclamation, declare his intention of appealing to the People for a mandate to hold office, by election, for a second term.” But "A person succeeding to the office of the President under the provisions of article 40 of the constitution shall not be entitled to exercise the right conferred above."
Succession or vacancy
Succession to or vacancies in the office of president may arise under several possible circumstances: death or incapacity, resignation, or removal from office. In the case when the president is unable to perform their duties, their powers are temporarily transferred to the prime minister until confirmed by Parliament.
According to the Article 40 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, "If the office of President shall become vacant prior to the expiration of his term of office, Parliament shall elect as President one of its Members who is qualified to be elected to the office of President. Any person so succeeding to the office of President shall hold office only for the unexpired period of the term of office of the President vacating office. Until the election of a successor, the powers and functions of the office of the President will discharged by the Prime Minister in his capacity as Acting president."
Powers and duties
Duties
Duties of the president as described in the constitution are to:
- Ensure that the Constitution is respected and upheld;
- Promote national reconciliation and integration;
- Ensure and facilitate the proper functioning of the Constitutional Council and other institutions;
- On the advice of the Election Commission, ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections and referendums.
Constitutional powers
Presidents have little constraints on their power. The president shall be responsible to Parliament and can be impeached and removed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The president may declare war and peace. They can place the country or any part under a state of emergency, under which they can override any law passed and promulgate any regulation without needing legislative approval. However, to prolong the state of emergency for more than 6 months, parliamentary approval is needed. In case of external invasion, a state of national defense can be proclaimed, which allows the government extraordinary powers. Martial law can be declared in provinces under extraordinary conditions. Further, the President can dismiss both the national and state governments from power in 3 situations: corruption, treason, and inability to govern.
Parliamentary powers
The president has the right to attend Parliament once in every three months, but is not entitled to vote. They have the right to address or send messages to Parliament and to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament.
Administrative powers
The president makes numerous appointments which include the
Judicial powers
The president would have the power to appoint and remove, the chief justice, justices of the Supreme Court, justices of the Court of Appeal and judges of the High Court. The president may grant a pardon. The president has immunity from both civil and criminal proceedings. The president has the power to commission public inquires by appointing a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate any issue.
Diplomatic powers
President of Sri Lanka is the nation's Chief Diplomat. Through this role, they are responsible for carrying out negotiations with foreign leaders and their governments and appoint
Ceremonial duties
The president has an important ceremonial role in terms of state ceremonies, functions, and awarding state awards. Most notable would be the traditional
Appointments
The president may appoint
The president has the power to appoint senior attorneys-at-law to the position of
Privileges
Salary
The president receives a monthly salary (as of 2016) of LKR 100,000 (≈ $1,000) paid from the consolidated fund.[11] It was increased from LKR 25,000 (≈ $500) to LKR 100,000 in 2006.
Tax benefits
By tradition, the president and past presidents are not subjected to income tax. This practice dates back to the pre-republic era when the crown was not subject to tax. In 2018, this practice was changed with the Inland Revenue Bill which removed the tax exemption given to the President.[12]
Legal immunity
The president has immunity from both civil or criminal proceedings, during the tenure of office and acts carried out during this period.
Residence
The official residence of the president in Colombo is the President's House (formerly the Queen's House as the residence of the governor-general). The government pays for meals and staff. Other presidential residences include:
- the President's Pavilion, is the president's second official residence in Kandy;
- the Queen's Cottage is the official presidential vacationing residence in the holiday-town of Nuwara Eliya.
In recent years from time to time
Travel
For ground travel, the president uses the
Security
Presidential flag (1972−2022)
After the oath of office has been taken by the elected president, a presidential flag was adopted by the president as the insignia of their office. Each president had a unique standard, incorporating traditional symbols associated with the president or their home region. This was the case until Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe abolished the presidential flag.
Presidential Dispatch Bag
The 'Attaché Case', Presidential Dispatch Bag carries important and secret documents wherever president is traveling. This was specifically designed by Sri Lanka Army. President will hand over the Dispatch Bag from one President to the next in line. [14]
Presidential staff
Presidential Secretariat
The
Presidential advisers
The president has the ability to appoint any number of advisers as presidential advisers. The highest-ranking of which is known as senior advisers. During his tenure, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed 38 advisers.[15]
Chief of staff
The chief of staff is the highest-ranking officer that handles presidential staff. Sagala Ratnayaka is the current chief of staff to the president.[16]
Coordinating secretaries
The president may appoint any number of coordinating secretaries to assist him/her.
The President's Fund
The president is the chair of the Board of Governors of the President's Fund which was established under the President's Fund Act No. 7 of 1978 to provide funds for relief of poverty, access to special healthcare, advancement of education or knowledge, advancement of the religion and culture, providing awards to persons who have served the nation and for any other purposes beneficial or of interest to the public. It is administered by the Presidential Secretariat.[17]
Post-presidency
Under the Constitutions of Sri Lanka, holders of the office of president are granted a pension equal to the last pay drawn while in office and privileges equivalent to a serving
See also
- List of presidents of Sri Lanka
- Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
- Presidential Secretariat
- President's Security Division
- President's Guard
- Official state car of the president of Sri Lanka
- Air transports of heads of government of Sri Lanka
References
- ^ "The President – Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka". Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "CEYLON (CONSTITUTION) ORDER IN COUNCIL". LawNet. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "Sri Lanka's fight for Independence". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION". LawNet. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "SEVENTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION". LawNet. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ "18th Amendment: Making a Mockery of Democracy in Sri Lanka | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". www.idsa.in. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
- ^ "Sri Lanka : Twenty-first amendment to the constitution takes effect from today". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
- ^ Policy Statement delivered by President Maithripala Sirisena addressing the 8th Parliament of Sri Lanka on September 1, 2015
- ^ Sri Lanka Army Officers Service Regulations
- ^ Of Ministers' Salaries And Parliamentary Perks
- ^ NEW BILL TO TAX LANKA'S PRESIDENT
- ^ Army personnel removed from Presidential Guard
- ^ "Presidential Dispatch Bag designed by Army handed over to President". 2 December 2022.
- ^ Public Funds Wasted On Presidential Advisers
- ^ Abeyasinghe, Shiromi. "Sagala Ratnayaka appointed President's Chief of Staff". Daily News. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ The President's Fund
- ^ CBK to get same pension as Rajapaksa
External links
- The official website of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Archived 25 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- The official website of the Presidential Secretariat of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
- The official website of the Parliament of Sri Lanka - list of Heads of State