02
Various Strata of the
Government
Introduction
The prime responsibility of a democratic government is to fulfill the
needs of citizens to the maximum level. It is important to study various
strata of the government and their functions to know the extent to which the
government fulfills the responsibilities. Human needs are complex in the
modern society and the function of government has also become complex
in relation to these needs. These complex set of functions are performed by
various bodies at different levels of government.
This unit will discuss three main levels of government; the central
government, provincial councils and local Authorities The main areas to be
focused are
²² Comparison of past and present structure of these bodies.
²² Functions of these bodies at each level, the effectiveness of their
activities and problems faced by them in practice.
²² In exercising the functions of those different bodies at each level, the
benefits accountability responsibility of respective bodies, as well as the
duties and responsibilities of the citizens who are benefitted has also been
emphasized.
In this unit students are expected to improve competencies regarding the
features and characteristics of different levels of the government, their functions,
effectiveness as well as the obligations of citizens with respect to them.
The system of government in Sri Lanka at present is a liberal democratic
and unitary system. Unitary system of government means a system in which
powers are centered around the central authority. It is also defined as a government
For free distribution 23
,in which all executive, legislative and judicial powers are exercised by a single
central government.
²² Fundamental feature of a unitary government is that one central
authority possesses the supreme power of enacting law
- A. V. Dicey
²² A unitary government has two fundamental features
1. The supremacy of the central government
2. The absence of subsidiary sovereign bodies
- C. N. Strong
Developed countries such as Great Britain, Japan, France as well as developing
countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal are examples of unitary states.
Sri Lanka has a unitary system of government. It has a long history of a
central and local government systems. Even in the past there had been regional
administrative units in addition to the central government. Those units were,
²² Uththara Passa
²² Pracheena Passa
²² Dakkhina Passa
²² Pashchima Passa
By the end of Anuradhapura era there were several administrative units,
namely, Rajarata, Dhakkina Desha, Dolos Dahas Rata, Ata Dahas Rata. During
the British colonial period there were administrative units known as Disava,
Korala, Patthu etc.
24 For free distribution F
, Important changes introduced by the British colonial rulers in Sri Lanka
Colebrooke Reforms – 1833
The Legislative Council
Official - 09 Unofficial - 06
Burgher - 01
European - 03
Sinhala - 01 Tamil - 01
Crew – Mc- cullum Reforms - 1910
The Legislative Council
Official - 11 Unofficial - 10
Elected - 04 Nominated - 06
Educated Burgher - 01
Muslim - 01
Ceylonese - 01 Low country
European - 02 Tamil - 02
Sinhala - 02
Upcountry
Sinhala - 01
For free distribution 25
Various Strata of the
Government
Introduction
The prime responsibility of a democratic government is to fulfill the
needs of citizens to the maximum level. It is important to study various
strata of the government and their functions to know the extent to which the
government fulfills the responsibilities. Human needs are complex in the
modern society and the function of government has also become complex
in relation to these needs. These complex set of functions are performed by
various bodies at different levels of government.
This unit will discuss three main levels of government; the central
government, provincial councils and local Authorities The main areas to be
focused are
²² Comparison of past and present structure of these bodies.
²² Functions of these bodies at each level, the effectiveness of their
activities and problems faced by them in practice.
²² In exercising the functions of those different bodies at each level, the
benefits accountability responsibility of respective bodies, as well as the
duties and responsibilities of the citizens who are benefitted has also been
emphasized.
In this unit students are expected to improve competencies regarding the
features and characteristics of different levels of the government, their functions,
effectiveness as well as the obligations of citizens with respect to them.
The system of government in Sri Lanka at present is a liberal democratic
and unitary system. Unitary system of government means a system in which
powers are centered around the central authority. It is also defined as a government
For free distribution 23
,in which all executive, legislative and judicial powers are exercised by a single
central government.
²² Fundamental feature of a unitary government is that one central
authority possesses the supreme power of enacting law
- A. V. Dicey
²² A unitary government has two fundamental features
1. The supremacy of the central government
2. The absence of subsidiary sovereign bodies
- C. N. Strong
Developed countries such as Great Britain, Japan, France as well as developing
countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal are examples of unitary states.
Sri Lanka has a unitary system of government. It has a long history of a
central and local government systems. Even in the past there had been regional
administrative units in addition to the central government. Those units were,
²² Uththara Passa
²² Pracheena Passa
²² Dakkhina Passa
²² Pashchima Passa
By the end of Anuradhapura era there were several administrative units,
namely, Rajarata, Dhakkina Desha, Dolos Dahas Rata, Ata Dahas Rata. During
the British colonial period there were administrative units known as Disava,
Korala, Patthu etc.
24 For free distribution F
, Important changes introduced by the British colonial rulers in Sri Lanka
Colebrooke Reforms – 1833
The Legislative Council
Official - 09 Unofficial - 06
Burgher - 01
European - 03
Sinhala - 01 Tamil - 01
Crew – Mc- cullum Reforms - 1910
The Legislative Council
Official - 11 Unofficial - 10
Elected - 04 Nominated - 06
Educated Burgher - 01
Muslim - 01
Ceylonese - 01 Low country
European - 02 Tamil - 02
Sinhala - 02
Upcountry
Sinhala - 01
For free distribution 25
