Explain the political system of Sri Lanka.

The political system of Sri Lanka is a democratic republic with a semi-presidential system. It is based on the 1978 Constitution, which was amended in 2015.

At the top of the political structure is the President, who is both the head of state and the head of government. The President is elected by popular vote and serves as the chief executive, responsible for the administration of the government. The President also appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the legislative body and consists of 225 members. 196 members are elected through a proportional representation system, while 29 members are appointed by the President to ensure representation of minority communities. The Parliament is responsible for making laws, approving the national budget, and overseeing the government's activities.

The Prime Minister is the head of the government and is appointed by the President. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the political party or coalition that has the majority in Parliament. They are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and work closely with the President.

Sri Lanka has a multi-party system, with several political parties representing different ideologies and interests. The two main political parties are the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP). Other significant parties include the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

The judiciary in Sri Lanka is independent and plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country and has the power of judicial review. It ensures that laws and actions of the government are in line with the Constitution.

Sri Lanka also has a system of provincial councils, which are responsible for governing the nine provinces of the country. These councils have limited powers and are subordinate to the central government.

Overall, the political system of Sri Lanka is characterized by a separation of powers, with checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. However, the country has faced challenges such as ethnic tensions and political instability, which have influenced its political landscape.