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Question 122 of 169 · World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies
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The Constitution establishing the 'Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka' was adopted in:

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Answer: Option A — 1978

Detailed Solution

Sri Lanka's present Constitution, which established the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, was adopted on 7 September 1978.

Key features of the 1978 Constitution:

  • It introduced an executive presidential system, modelled partly on the French system.
  • The President became the head of state, head of government and commander-in-chief.
  • The President is directly elected by the people for a fixed term.
  • Parliament is unicameral.

J.R. Jayewardene, who was Prime Minister, became the first executive President under this Constitution.

Earlier constitutions:

  • The Soulbury Constitution (1947) governed Ceylon as an independent dominion from 1948.
  • The First Republican Constitution of 1972 made Ceylon a republic named Sri Lanka, with Buddhism given the foremost place.

Name of the country:

The official name became the "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".

Important amendments:

  • The 13th Amendment (1987) created Provincial Councils, under the India-Sri Lanka Accord.
  • The 18th Amendment (2010) removed presidential term limits.
  • The 19th Amendment (2015) restored term limits and reduced presidential powers.
  • The 20th Amendment (2020) increased presidential powers again.
  • The 21st Amendment (2022) partly reduced them once more.

Parliament of Sri Lanka:

  • It has 225 members.
  • It meets in the Parliament building at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Political crisis of 2022:

An economic crisis led to mass protests ("Aragalaya") and the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Comparison with India:

India has a parliamentary system with a nominal President, while Sri Lanka has a powerful executive President.

Why not the other options?

  • ✗1948 is the year of independence.
  • ✗1972 is the year of the first republican constitution.
  • ✗1987 is the year of the 13th Amendment and the India-Sri Lanka Accord.

Quick tip

Remember: Sri Lanka's present Constitution = 1978 (executive presidency; "Democratic Socialist Republic").

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World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers world GK: countries with their capitals, currencies and parliaments, national symbols, famous landmarks, the longest, largest and highest features of the world, and international boundary lines such as the Radcliffe, McMahon and Durand Lines. The most common questions match a country with its capital or currency, or a parliament with its name (such as the Knesset of Israel or the Diet of Japan). Revise countries continent by continent, giving extra attention to India's neighbours. Questions on boundary lines usually ask which two countries a line separates. Practise the world GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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