Description of Electoral System:

(courtesy of IFES election guide)

The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 6-year term. In the Parliament 225 members are elected by popular vote via proportional representation to serve 6-year terms.

Electoral Systems Snapshot

(Courtesy of International IDEA)

*Click on links for definitions

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Most recent election

(courtesy of wikipedia)

Presidential elections in Sri Lanka were held on 17 November 2005. Prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa defeated former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and took office on November 19.

At first, there was doubt whether the election would be held at all. President Chandrika Kumaratunga had called the 1999 election a year ahead of schedule; she argued that the extra year should be appended to her second term, and filed suit do to this. The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka rejected her claims and the election went ahead.