There have been fourteen prime ministers of Sri Lanka since the creation of the position in 1947, prior to the formation of Ceylon. The Prime Minister of Ceylon was the head of the government until 1972. In 1972, the country was named as the Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka and the position was known as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from then onwards. The Prime Minister also held the unified Ministry of External Affairs and Defence until 1977, when J.R. Jayewardene's government adapted two ministries, forming the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 1978, after Jayewardene became the President, new constitutional changes were introduced. The position of the Executive President was introduced, resulting in the powers of the Prime Minister being reduced. The President became the head of state and chief executive,[1] and the Prime Minister became a weak head of government.[2]
Under the current constitution of Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet business and also functions as a deputy to the President. In the event a president dies in office, the Prime Minister becomes the acting president until the Parliament convenes to elect a successor or new elections can be held to elect a new president. This was the case in 1993, when President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated and Prime Minister Dingiri Banda Wijetunge took office as president.[3]
Of the fourteen prime ministers who have held the office since the introduction of the position in 1947, one has held the office four times, two have held office thrice, and two have held office twice. Five prime ministers have gone on to become president of the country.[5]
Ranil Wickramasinghe has been sworn in as prime minister the most times in the country's history, on six occasions (May 1993, December 2001, January 2015, August 2015, December 2018, and May 2022),[6][7] whilst Dudley Shelton Senanayaka and Sirimavo Bandaranayake were appointed three times. Mahinda Rajapakse is the only Prime Minister who was suspended from his duties by the Supreme Court.[8][9][10] becoming Sri Lanka's 1st de facto Prime Minister in 2018.
Appointed as Prime Minister following the death of his father, D. S. Senanayake. His party won at the general elections held in June 1952, and he continued in the office without a re-appointment. Dudley Senanayake resigned in 1953.[13]
Dahanayake was appointed following the assassination of Bandaranaike. However, following disagreements with the members of his government and party, he was forced to dissolve the parliament.[16]
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the world's first female prime minister.[17] She was not a member of Parliament at the time of appointment, and was appointed to the Senate on 2 August 1960.
Senanayake was elected Prime Minister for the third time, when his party formed a government with the help of six other parties, after an election which did not give a clear majority to any party. The agriculture sector was given high priority during his term of office.[18]
Sirimavo Bandaranaike declared the country a republic, and its name was changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka.[17] Nationalized many companies in the plantation sector and imposed restrictions on several imports. This led to the downfall of the country's economy, and she was defeated in the general elections of 1977, with allegations of corruption which later led to her expulsion from Parliament.[17]
Was appointed in a surprise move by the then President, Ranasinghe Premadasa. Wijetunge himself reacted in surprise at the appointment.[3] He resigned from the post on 28 March 1990, but was reappointed two days later, on 30 March 1990.
Appointed as the Prime Minister[21] when Wijetunge was appointed as the President of Sri Lanka, following the assassination of the former president, Ranasinghe Premadasa.
Served as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for a short period, before contesting in the presidential elections in 1994 and being elected as president.[22]
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was appointed as the Prime Minister when Chandrika Kumaratunga was appointed as the President of Sri Lanka. She resigned in 2000.[17]
Wickremesinghe's term of office ended early when the then president Chandrika Kumaratunga dismissed his government and called for a general election in 2004.[23]
Appointed as Prime Minister of the Cabinet that was formed after the elections following the dismissal of Wickremesinghe's government by President Chandrika Kumaratunga. He won the presidential elections in 2005 and assumed the office of the President of Sri Lanka.[24]
Appointed by Sirisena, after sudden dismissal of incumbent Wickremesinghe. Term was challenged by Wickremesinghe and Sri Lanka had two concurrent Prime ministerial claimants. Failed to conduct a majority support vote in the house. Subsequently, resigned from office, to pave way for Wickremesinghe.[25] Duties suspended by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.[26]2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis
The Parliament was known as the "House of Representatives" during the period of 1947–1972
In 1972, the country was named "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka", and the Parliament was named as the National State Assembly.
Under the constitutional changes of 1978, the country was renamed as the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka", and the Parliament was referred to as "Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".
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References
General
"Former Prime Ministers" (.html). Official Website of the Government of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2008-10-04.
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