Sri Lankan politics is characterized by a multi-party system, with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party being two of the most prominent parties. The political landscape has been shaped by ethnic tensions, particularly between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority, leading to a long civil conflict that ended in 2009. The President of Sri Lanka holds significant power, including the ability to appoint the Prime Minister and dissolve Parliament. Elections are held regularly, but issues such as corruption, governance, and human rights have often influenced public trust and political stability in the country.