ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the law-making process in Sri Lanka with special emphasis on the forces that influence the process and how the process is used by the members to accomplish their goals. It argues that law-making powers are concentrated among the cabinet members. Before a bill is enacted into law by parliament, it is sent to several institutions which were created to provide law-making power to the non-cabinet members of parliament. Law-making power among the ministers is concentrated among a small handful of cabinet members. It would appear that certain ministers are appointed to give representation to these groups while others are appointed to make the important policy decisions of the government. Several members stated that they felt that they could not criticise because of the clauses in the new constitution creating a system of proportional representation.
