Sri Lanka has a multi-party system, with several political parties representing various ethnic, religious, and regional interests. The two major parties are the United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). These parties have historically dominated the political landscape, often forming coalitions to govern. In addition to the major parties, there are several smaller parties, such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and various Tamil and Muslim parties. These smaller parties often focus on specific issues, such as minority rights and regional development, contributing to the diverse political dialogue in the country.