Form of Government
Government Type
Unitary semi-presidential republic.
Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative); Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city.
Administrative Divisions
9 provinces, subdivided into 25 districts.
Independence
4 February 1948 — from the United Kingdom (as Ceylon); became the Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972.
Constitution
Adopted 1978; amended numerous times since.
Legal System & Suffrage
A mixed system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, and customary law. Suffrage is universal at age 18.
Executive Branch
Chief of State & Head of Government
The President, directly elected for a 5-year term, serves as both head of state and head of government and commander-in-chief.
Prime Minister
Appointed by the president; leads the Cabinet in Parliament.
