Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dr. N.M. Perera who is no more with us, but who is still acknowledged as
an expert on Constitutions, commenting on the attempt made by the
Government of Mr. J.R. Jayewardene to move a second Amendment to
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Article 30 (1) " There shall be a President of the Republic of Sri Lanka,
who is the Head of the State, Head of the Executive and of the
Government and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces". (The
writer has marked some clauses in bold letters to help the readers to
focus on key issues under discussion.)
Article 42(3) "The Prime Minister shall be the Head of the Cabinet of
Ministers".
Articles 43 (3) "The Prime Minister may at any time change the
assignment of the subjects and functions and recommend to the
President changes in the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers".
Article 44 (5) "At the request of the Prime Minister any Minister of
the Cabinet of Ministers, may by notification published in the Gazette,
delegate to any Minister who is not a member of the Cabinet of
Ministers any power or duty conferred or imposed on him or her by any
written law"
Cabinet, and also change the subjects given to Ministers as per Article
42(3). The PM can on his own request a Cabinet Minister to hand over
part of his assignment to a Member of Parliament who is not in the
Cabinet by virtue of powers vested in him by Article 44(5).
The Constitution of the United States of America was born due to the
strong-felt needs of citizens, some State leaders as well as the
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