The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
47. (1) The total number of (a) Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers shall
not exceed thirty; and
(b)
Tenure of office of
the Prime Minister,
Ministers and
Deputy Ministers
and the limitation
of number of
Ministers and
Deputy Ministers
Ministers who are not members of the
Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers
shall not, in the aggregate exceed forty.
(2) The Prime Minister, a Minister of the Cabinet of
Ministers, any other Minister or Deputy Minister shall continue
to hold office throughout the period during which the Cabinet
of Ministers continues to function under the provisions of the
Constitution unless he (a)
is removed by a writing under the hand of
the President;
(b) resigns his office by a writing under his
hand addressed to the President; or
(c)
ceases to be a Member of Parliament.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph (1)
of this Article, where the recognized political party or the
independent group which obtains highest number of seats in
Parliament forms a National Government, the number of
Ministers in the Cabinet of Ministers, the number of Ministers
who are not Cabinet of Ministers and the number of Deputy
Ministers shall be determined by Parliament.
(4) For the purpose of paragraph (3), “National
Government” means, a Government formed by the recognized
political party or the independent group which obtains the
highest number of seats in Parliament together with the other
recognized political parties or the independent groups.
48. (1) The Cabinet of Ministers functioning immediately
prior to the dissolution of Parliament shall, notwithstanding
such dissolution continue to function and shall cease to function
upon the conclusion of the General Election. Accordingly, the
Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, other
Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall continue to function
unless they cease to hold office as provided in sub-paragraph
(a) or (b) of paragraph (2) of Article 47.
39
Cabinet of
Ministers after
dissolution of
Parliament