Prime Minister of Sri Lanka facts for kids
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is a very important leader in the country. This person is the most senior member of parliament in the cabinet of ministers. It is the second most powerful job in Sri Lanka's government, right after the President. The Prime Minister and the cabinet work together and are responsible to the Parliament.
The role and powers of the Prime Minister have changed a few times since the job was first created in 1947.
Currently, Harini Amarasuriya is the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. She started her role on September 24, 2024.
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of Sri Lanka |
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Emblem of Sri Lanka
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| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Reports to | |
| Residence | Temple Trees |
| Appointer | President of Sri Lanka |
| Term length | At the pleasure of the President
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Precursor | Chief Secretary of Ceylon |
| Inaugural holder | Don Stephen Senanayake |
| Formation | 14 October 1947 |
| Succession | First |
Contents
How the Prime Minister is Chosen
The President chooses a member of parliament to be the Prime Minister. The President picks the person they believe will have the most support from Parliament. The Prime Minister stays in office as long as the cabinet of ministers is working, unless they resign or stop being a member of parliament.
What the Prime Minister Does
The job of Prime Minister was created in 1947. Back then, Sri Lanka was called Ceylon and followed the Westminster system of government. This meant the Prime Minister was the main leader of the government.
In 1978, things changed. Many of the Prime Minister's powers were given to the President. The President became both the head of state (the country's main representative) and the head of government (the leader of the government). The Prime Minister then became a senior member of the cabinet and could take over if the President's job became empty.
Sometimes, if the President and Prime Minister are from different political parties, the Prime Minister might act as the main leader of the government. In 2015, a new law called the Nineteenth Amendment gave some powers back to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is the second most important person in the country after the President. They are also a member of important groups like the Constitutional Council and the National Security Council.
Advising the President
The Prime Minister has the power to advise the President on important decisions. This includes:
- Choosing, removing, or accepting the resignations of other ministers.
- Changing the responsibilities of cabinet ministers.
Taking Over for the President
If the President's job becomes empty, the Prime Minister will temporarily become the acting President. They will do this until a new President is chosen. During this time, the Prime Minister will pick another minister to act as Prime Minister.
If the Prime Minister's job is also empty, or if the Prime Minister cannot act, then the Speaker of Parliament will become the acting President instead. The President can also ask the Prime Minister to take over their duties if the President is sick, out of the country, or for any other reason.
Prime Minister's Special Benefits
The Prime Minister has certain benefits that come with the job.
Official Homes and Office
The official home of the Prime Minister is called Temple Trees. It is in Colombo. The Prime Minister also has a vacation home called the Prime Minister's Lodge in Nuwara Eliya. The main office for the Prime Minister is at Sirimathipaya in Colombo.
Sometimes, Presidents have used Temple Trees as their home. Some Prime Ministers have chosen to stay in their own homes instead.
Travel
For travel on the ground, the Prime Minister uses a special armored car. For flying within Sri Lanka, helicopters from the Sri Lanka Air Force are used. For longer trips, the Prime Minister uses regular flights from SriLankan Airlines.
Security
The Prime Minister's security is handled by the Prime Minister's Security Division. In the past, a small police team protected the Prime Minister. After an assassination attempt in 1959, security was increased. Today, a dedicated team ensures the Prime Minister's safety.
Order of Importance
In Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister is considered the second most important person, after the President but before the Speaker of Parliament.
History of the Prime Minister's Role
The job of Prime Minister of Ceylon started in 1947. This happened when Ceylon gained self-rule from the British. D. S. Senanayake became the first Prime Minister. He was also in charge of foreign affairs and defense.
In 1972, Ceylon became a republic and was renamed Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister was still the head of government. But in 1978, the government changed again. The President became the main leader, holding both the head of state and head of government roles.
If the President's job becomes empty, the Prime Minister becomes the acting President. This happened with President Dingiri Banda Wijetunge. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been Prime Minister six times, which is more than anyone else. Dudley Senanayake served four times, and Sirimavo Bandaranaike served three times. In 2015, the 19th amendment gave the Prime Minister more power in choosing ministers.
2018 Political Issues
In October 2018, there was a political problem in Sri Lanka. President Maithripala Sirisena tried to remove Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa instead. Wickremesinghe said this was against the law. This led to a big constitutional crisis.
In December 2018, a court stopped Mahinda Rajapaksa from being Prime Minister. Ranil Wickremesinghe was then re-appointed, and the crisis ended.
2022 Economic and Political Problems
In March 2022, people in Sri Lanka started protesting because of a very bad economic crisis. Many blamed the Rajapaksa family for the country's money problems. On May 9, 2022, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned. Three days later, Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister.
On July 9, 2022, protestors entered the President's official residence and set fire to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's private home. This led to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaving Sri Lanka. Wickremesinghe became the acting President. On July 20, Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected President by the Parliament. Two days later, he appointed Dinesh Gunawardena as the new Prime Minister.
See also
- List of prime ministers of Sri Lanka
