The Prime Minister, Ministers, Parliament and Proportional Representation

Abstract

The Prime Minister under the Second Republic does not in any way compare with his counterpart under the previous constitutions of Sri Lanka. His importance has been greatly reduced to an extent that makes his position even lower in status than that of the prime minister of the Fifth French Republic. He is not even a first among equals. He has a certain pre-eminence in Parliament because of the fact that he is the chief of the government’s majority there. But he no longer has the authority to direct, supervise or command his colleagues. They look on the Executive President as the captain of their team. That is the constitutional position. Roles can nevertheless be reversed if the Prime Minister commands a majority different from that of the President.