The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 37 33 [CHAPTER VIII THE EXECUTIVE The Cabinet of Ministers 42. The President shall be responsible to Parliament for the due exercise, performance and discharge of his powers, duties and functions under the Constitution and any written law, including the law for the time being relating to public security. Responsibility of the President 43. (1) There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers charged with the direction and control of the Government of the Republic, which shall be collectively responsible and answerable to Parliament. Cabinet of Ministers (2) The President shall be a member of the Cabinet of Ministers and shall be the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers: Provided that notwithstanding the dissolution of the Cabinet of Ministers under the provisions of the Constitution, the President shall continue in office. (3) The President shall appoint as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament who in his opinion is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament. 44. (1) The President shall, from time to time, in consultation with the Prime Minister, where he considers such consultation to be necessary – (a) Ministers of Cabinet and their subjects and functions determine the number of Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Ministries and the assignment of subjects and functions to such Ministers; and ( b ) appoint from among the Members of Parliament, Ministers to be in charge of the Ministries so determined. (2) The President may assign to himself any subject or function and shall remain in charge of any subject or function not assigned to any Minister under the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article or the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 45 and may for that purpose determine the number of Ministries to be in his charge, and accordingly, any reference in the Constitution or any written law to the Minister to whom such subject or function is assigned, shall be read and construed as a reference to the President. 33 - Chapter VIII substituted by the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 7.