Source: http://archive.ipu.org/parline/reports/2295.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 14:09:51+00:00

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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.
Notes Elected on 1 Sep. 2015.
Voting system Proportional: Proportional representation system with preferential voting for 196 seats. Each elector selects specific party or independent group and three of its candidates. Parties polling less than one eighth of vote in each constituency are not entitled for seat allocation.
The remaining 29 "national" seats are distributed to political parties in proportion to their overall share of the votes received in the election.
Vacancies filled by substitutes nominated by same party or group which held seat in question.
- disqualifications: insanity, imprisonment of six months or more (in preceding 7 years), death sentence, conviction for corrupt or illegal practice connected with elections, imposition of civic disability.
- ineligibility: undischarged bankrupt, interest in government contract, acceptance of bribe or gratification offered with view to influencing judgment as MP (in preceding 7 years).
Timing and scope of renewal Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) won the elections as the largest party in a coalition known as the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG, see note). The UNFGG took 11 more seats than the opposition coalition, the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse. The UPFA includes the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which is headed by incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena. Despite belonging to an opposition coalition, some SLFP members opposed Mr. Rajapakse and allied themselves to the governing coalition, the UNFGG. During the elections, the major parties promised good governance, transparency, economic progress and stability in the country. On 21 August, Mr. Wickremasinghe was sworn in as the Prime Minister. Later that day, the UNP and the SLFP signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a new government. The two parties agreed to work together for at least two years. The 46-member Cabinet, formed in September, comprises 33 ministers from the UNFGG and 13 ministers from the SLFP.
The 2015 elections were the first to be held under President Sirisena, the former health minister, who defeated the long-serving President Rajapaksa in presidential elections, held in January 2015. In keeping with the new President's electoral promise, Parliament passed the 19th amendment to the Constitution on 28 April 2015. In particular the amendment re-introduced a two-term limit for each President (lifted in 2010 under President Rajapaksa) and removed the President's power to dissolve Parliament until it has completed four-and-a-half years of its five-year term. Before the amendments, the President could dissolve Parliament after only one year.
The UNFGG included the UNP, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) as well as SLFP members who opposed former President Rajapakse.
*The government also includes a faction of the SLP opposing former President Rajapakse.
Start of the mandate When the MPs take the oath (Art. 63 of the Constitution of Feb. 1978, as amended up to 20.12.1988). Procedure (Art. 63 of the Constitution, SO 5 of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka).
Validation of mandates · Validation only in case of challenge by election petitions ((in)validation by the appropriate judiciary). See also Loss of mandate - (c) Election petitions/(d) Loss of mandate for disqualification, including incompatibilities/(g) General procedure.
End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends - or on the day of early dissolution (Art. 62 (2) of the Constitution; for early dissolution, see Art. 70 (1) and (5) of the Constitution). Exception (Art. 70 (7) and 155 (4) (i) of the Constitution).
· Outside Parliament: the official order of precedence ranks the MPs in the 14th position.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 67 of the Constitution, Art. 3, 4 and 7 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953).
· Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament.
· Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate.
Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 67 of the Constitution, Art. 5 (1) and 7 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953).
· It applies only to civil proceedings, covers all offences, but protects MPs only from arrest and detention.
· No derogations are foreseen.
· However, evidence of proceedings in the House or a committee cannot be given without leave of the House (Art. 17 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953).
· Protection is provided from 40 days before the session starts until 40 days after the House has been prorogued or dissolved. Since parliamentary inviolability does not cover judicial proceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election.
· Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) cannot be lifted.
· Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions.
· Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members.
· In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament.
Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. It consists of seminars.
· It is provided by Parliament and political parties. Other.
· There is no handbook of parliamentary procedure.
Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings or other meetings.
Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in SO 72 to 78, 84 (vi), (viii), and (xii) of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist for Members of Parliament but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 66 (c) to (e), and (i), Art. 78, 81, 89 to 91, and 99 (13) (a) of the Constitution, Art. 78 of the Standing Orders, Part II and Schedule to the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953; for the declaration of interests, see Obligation to declare personal assets).
- Loss of mandate (Art. 66 (c) to (e), and (i), Art. 78, 81, 89 to 91, and 99 (13) (a) of the Constitution). In the case of revocation before expiry of mandate by political parties, MPs have means of recourse. In the case of definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter for civic disability, they do not.
- Imprisonment, fine; admonition at the Bar of Parliament, removal from the precincts of Parliament, suspension (Part II and Schedule to the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953, Art. 78 of the Standing Orders).
Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

References: Art. 70
 Art. 3
 Art. 5
 Art. 78
 Art. 78
 Art. 78
 Art. 78