Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Government of Sri Lanka Country Resources Constitutions Sri Lanka 21 July 1077 Legislation/regulation

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It provides the Constitution along with fundamental rights of the people and other provisions.

CONTENTS
Page
Preamble ............................................................................................................................. xvi
CHAPTER - I
THE PEOPLE, THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY
Article
1 The State ....................................................................................................................... 01
2 Unitary State ................................................................................................................ 01
3 Sovereignty of the People .......................................................................................... 01
4 Exercise of Sovereignty............................................................................................... 01
5 Territory of the Republic ............................................................................................ 02
6 The National Flag ........................................................................................................ 02
7 The National Anthem .................................................................................................. 02
8 The National Day ........................................................................................................ 02
CHAPTER - II
BUDDHISM
9 Buddhism ..................................................................................................................... 03
CHAPTER - III
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
10 Freedom of thought, conscience and religion ........................................................ 04
11 Freedom from torture .................................................................................................. 04
12 Right to equality ......................................................................................................... 04
13 Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment and
prohibition of retrospective penal legislation .................................................... 05
14 Freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation,
movement, &c. ......................................................................................................... 06
15 Restrictions on fundamental rights .......................................................................... 06
16 Existing written law and unwritten law to continue in force ................................ 07
17 Remedy for the infringement of fundamental rights by executive action ........... 08
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
vi
CHAPTER - IV
LANGUAGE
Article Page
18 Official Language ..................................................................................................... 09
19 National Languages ................................................................................................. 09
20 Use of National Languages in Parliament, Provincial Councils, and
Local Authorities .................................................................................................. 09
21 Medium of instruction ............................................................................................. 09
22 Languages of administration .................................................................................. 10
23 Language of legislation............................................................................................ 12
24 Languages of the Courts ......................................................................................... 12
25 Provision for adequate facilities for use of languages provided
for in this Chapter ................................................................................................ 14
25A Provision of any law inconsistent with this Chapter deemed
to be repealed ....................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER - V
CITIZENSHIP
26 Citizenship of Sri Lanka ........................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER - VI
DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY AND
FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES
27 Directive Principles of State Policy .......................................................................... 16
28 Fundamental duties .................................................................................................... 18
29 Principles of State Policy and fundamental duties
not justifiable .............................................................................................................. 18
CHAPTER - VII
THE EXECUTIVE
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC
30 The President of the Republic................................................................................. 19
31 The election and the term of office of the President ........................................... 19
32 Assumption of office ............................................................................................... 22
33 Powers and functions of the President ................................................................. 23
34 Grant of pardon ........................................................................................................ 23
35 Immunity of President from suit............................................................................. 24
36 Salary and pension .................................................................................................. 25
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
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Article Page
37 Exercise, performance and discharge of powers, duties and
functions of the President by the Prime Minister.............................................. 25
38 Vacation of office by President ............................................................................... 26
39 Determination by the Supreme Court that the President was not duly
elected or the election of the President was void............................................. 28
40 Vacation of office by President and election of succeeding President ............. 29
41 President’s staff.......................................................................................................... 29
CHAPTER - VII A
THE EXECUTIVE
* PARLIAMENTARY COUNCIL
**41A President to make the appointments in respect of the Commissions
and offices referred to in the schedules ...................................................... 31
41B Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41C Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41D Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41E Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41F Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41G Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
41H Repealed ................................................................................................................ 34
CHAPTER - VIII
THE EXECUTIVE
THE CABINET OF MINISTERS
42 Responsibility of the President ............................................................................... 35
43 Cabinet of Ministers ................................................................................................. 35
44 Ministers of Cabinet and their subjects and functions ....................................... 35
45 Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet and their Ministries,
subjects and functions ............................................................................................. 36
46 Deputy Ministers ...................................................................................................... 36
47 Tenure of office of the Prime Minister, Ministers and
Deputy Ministers....................................................................................................... 37
48 Cabinet of Ministers after dissolution of Parliament............................................ 37
49 Dissolution of Cabinet of Ministers........................................................................ 37
50 Acting Minister and Acting Deputy Minister........................................................ 38
51 Secretary to Cabinet of Ministers ........................................................................... 38
52 Secretaries to Ministries .......................................................................................... 38
53 Official oath or affirmation ....................................................................................... 39
* Substituted by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
** Articles 41A - 41H repealed and Article 41A inserted by the Eighteenth Amendment to the
Constitution.
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
viii
CHAPTER - IX
THE EXECUTIVE
THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Article Page
54 Public Service Commission ................................................................................... 40
55 Powers and Functions of the Cabinet of Ministers and of the Commission ... 41
56 Committees of the Commission ............................................................................ 42
57 Delegation of Powers to a Public Officer ............................................................ 42
58 Right of Appeal ...................................................................................................... 42
59 Administrative Appeals Tribunal ......................................................................... 43
60 Commission not to Exercise Power where there is Delegation.......................... 43
61 Procedure at Meetings .......................................................................................... 43
61A Immunity from legal Proceedings ......................................................................... 43
61B Savings of Rules and Regulations in force ......................................................... 44
61C Interference with the Commission ........................................................................ 44
61D Oath or Affirmation of office ................................................................................. 44
61E Appointments by the President ........................................................................... 44
61F Interpretation .......................................................................................................... 44
CHAPTER - X
THE LEGISLATURE
PARLIAMENT
62 Parliament ................................................................................................................. 45
63 Official oath or affirmation ..................................................................................... 45
64 Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman of Committees ...................... 45
65 Secretary-General of Parliament ............................................................................ 46
66 Vacation of seats ..................................................................................................... 46
67 Privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and Members ....................... 47
68 Allowances of Members ........................................................................................ 47
69 Power of Parliament to act notwithstanding vacancies ..................................... 47
CHAPTER - XI
THE LEGISLATURE
PROCEDURE AND POWERS
70 Sessions of Parliament ........................................................................................... 48
71 Adjournment ........................................................................................................... 50
72 Voting ........................................................................................................................ 50
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
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73 Quorum ....................................................................................................................... 50
74 Standing Orders ........................................................................................................ 50
75 Legislative power ...................................................................................................... 50
76 Delegation of legislative power ............................................................................... 51
77 Duties of Attorney-General in regard to published Bills ..................................... 51
78 Publication of Bills and passing of Bills and resolutions .................................... 52
79 Certificate of Speaker ................................................................................................ 52
80 When Bill becomes law ............................................................................................. 52
81 Expulsion of Members and imposition of civic disability .................................... 53
CHAPTER - XII
THE LEGISLATURE
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
82 Amendment or repeal of the Constitution must be expressed ............................ 55
83 Approval of certain Bills at a Referendum ............................................................. 56
84 Bills inconsistent with the Constitution ............................................................... 56
CHAPTER - XIII
THE REFERENDUM
85 Submission of Bills to people by Referendum ....................................................... 57
86 Submission of matters of national importance to people by Referendum.......... 57
87 Parliament to provide for procedure........................................................................ 57
CHAPTER - XIV
THE FRANCHISE AND ELECTIONS
88 Right to be an elector ........................................................................................ 58
89 Disqualification to be an elector ....................................................................... 58
90 Qualification for election as a Member of Parliament ...................................... 61
91 Disqualification for election as a Member of Parliament ................................. 61
92 Disqualification for election as President ......................................................... 63
93 Election to be free, equal and secret ................................................................. 64
94 Election of the President ................................................................................... 64
95 Delimitation Commission ................................................................................ 65
96 Electoral Districts ............................................................................................. 65
96A (Repealed) ........................................................................................................ 66
97 Proclamation of names &c. of electoral districts ............................................. 66
98 Number of Members to be returned by the several electoral districts
and their apportionment among such electoral districts .................................. 66
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
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99 Proportional representation ................................................................................ 68
99A Election of Members of Parliament on the basis of the total number
of votes polled at a General Election ............................................................. 71
100 Penalty for sitting and voting in Parliament when disqualified ..................... 72
101 Parliament may make provision in respect of elections .................................. 72
102 Public officer or an officer of a public corporation not to
function during period of election ................................................................. 73
CHAPTER - XIV A
ELECTION COMMISSION
103 Election Commission ............................................................................................ 74
104 Meetings of the Commission............................................................................... 75
104A Finality of decisions and immunity from suit................................................... 75
104B Powers, functions and duties of the Commission .......................................... 76
104C Deployment of Police by the Commission......................................................... 77
104D Deployment of Armed Forces.............................................................................. 78
104E Commissioner General of Elections and other officers of the
Commission ....................................................................................................... 78
104F Returning Officers ................................................................................................ 79
104G Public Officers ...................................................................................................... 80
104H Power of Supreme Court to issue writs............................................................. 80
104J Interpretation......................................................................................................... 80
CHAPTER - XV
THE JUDICIARY
105 Establishment of Courts, &c ............................................................................... 81
106 Public sittings ....................................................................................................... 82
INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY
107 Appointment and removal of Judges of the Supreme Court and
Court of Appeal ................................................................................................ 82
108 Salaries of Judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal....................... 83
109 Acting appointments............................................................................................ 83
110 Performance or discharge of other duties or functions by Judges ............... 84
111 Appointment, removal and disciplinary control of
Judges of the High Court ............................................................................... 84
111A Commissioners of the High Court....................................................................... 85
111B Fiscal for the Whole Island ................................................................................. 85
111C Interference with judiciary an offence ............................................................. 85
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
xi
CHAPTER - XV A
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION
Article Page
111D Constitution of the Judicial Service Commission ............................................. 87
111E Meetings of the Commission .............................................................................. 87
111F Allowances of members of the Commission ................................................... 87
111G Secretary to the Commission .............................................................................. 88
111H Powers of the Commission .................................................................................. 88
111J Judicial Officers and scheduled public officers may resign ........................... 89
111K Immunity from legal proceedings ...................................................................... 89
111L Interference with the Commission an offence................................................... 89
111M Interpretation ......................................................................................................... 89
112 (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
113 (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
113A (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
114 (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
115 (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
116 (Renumbered as 111C)
117 (Repealed) .............................................................................................................. 90
CHAPTER - XVI
THE SUPERIOR COURTS
THE SUPREME COURT
118 General jurisdiction of Supreme Court................................................................ 91
119 Constitution of Supreme Court............................................................................ 91
120 Constitutional Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court............................................. 91
121 Ordinary exercise of constitutional jurisdiction in respect of Bills ................ 92
122 Special exercise of constitutional jurisdiction in respect
of urgent Bills .................................................................................................... 93
123 Determination of Supreme Court in respect of Bills.......................................... 93
124 Validity of Bills and legislative process not to be questioned ....................... 94
125 Constitutional jurisdiction in the interpretation of the Constitution ............. 94
126 Fundamental rights jurisdiction and its exercise............................................... 95
127 Appellate jurisdiction ........................................................................................... 95
128 Right of appeal ...................................................................................................... 96
129 Consultative jurisdiction ...................................................................................... 96
130 Jurisdiction in election and referendum petitions ............................................ 97
131 Jurisdiction in respect of the breaches of Parliamentary privileges ............... 97
132 Sittings of the Supreme Court.............................................................................. 97
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
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133 Appointment of ad hoc judges .......................................................................... 98
134 Right to be heard by the Supreme Court .......................................................... 98
135 Registry of the Supreme Court and office of Registrar ................................... 98
136 Rules of the Supreme Court ................................................................................ 98
THE COURT OF APPEAL
137 The Court of Appeal ............................................................................................ 100
138 Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal ................................................................... 100
139 Powers in appeal .................................................................................................. 101
140 Power to issue writs other than writs of habeas corpus ............................... 101
141 Power to issue writs of habeas corpus ............................................................ 101
142 Power to bring up and remove prisoners .......................................................... 102
143 Power to grant injunctions .................................................................................. 102
144 Parliamentary election petitions.......................................................................... 103
145 Inspection of records ........................................................................................... 103
146 Sittings of the Court of Appeal ........................................................................... 103
147 Registry of the Court of Appeal and office of Registrar ................................. 104
CHAPTER - XVII
FINANCE
148 Control of Parliament over public finance ......................................................... 105
149 Consolidated Fund ............................................................................................... 105
150 Withdrawal of sums from Consolidated Fund .................................................. 105
151 Contingencies Fund ............................................................................................. 105
152 Special provisions as to Bills affecting public revenue .................................. 106
153 Auditor-General .................................................................................................... 106
154 Duties and functions of Auditor-General .......................................................... 107
CHAPTER - XVII A
154A Establishment of Provincial Councils ............................................................. 109
154B Governor ............................................................................................................ 109
154C Exercise of executive powers by the Governor .............................................. 111
154D Membership of Provincial Council .................................................................. 111
154E Term of office ...................................................................................................... 112
154F Board of Ministers ............................................................................................ 112
154G Statutes of Provincial Councils ....................................................................... 113
154H Assent ................................................................................................................. 115
154J Public Security ................................................................................................... 116
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
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154K Failure to comply with directions ..................................................................... 116
154L Failure of administrative machinery ................................................................. 117
154M Parliament to confer powers of Provincial Council to President .................. 118
154N Financial Instability ............................................................................................ 119
154P High Court ........................................................................................................... 120
154Q Functions, powers, election &c. of Provincial Councils ............................... 121
154R Finance Commission ........................................................................................... 121
154S Special Provision enabling Provincial Councils not to
Exercise powers under this chapter ............................................................. 122
154T Transitional measures ......................................................................................... 123
CHAPTER - XVIII
PUBLIC SECURITY
155 Public Security .................................................................................................... 124
CHAPTER - XVIII A
NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
155A Constitution of the National Police Commission ................................... 127
155B Meetings of the Commission ..................................................................... 128
155C Immunity from Legal Proceedings ............................................................ 128
155D Secretary to the Commission .................................................................... 129
155E Costs and Expenses.................................................................................... 129
155F Interference with the Commission ............................................................ 129
* 155FF Powers of the Commissions…………….......................................…........ 129
* 155FFF Commission to make Rules…………..............................................…… 129
** 155G Repealed........................................................................................................ 129
155H Repealed....................................................................................................... 129
155J Repealed....................................................................................................... 129
155K Repealed........................................................................................................ 129
155L Repealed....................................................................................................... 129
155M Saving of existing rules and regulations .............................................. 129
155N Commission answerable to Parliament .................................................... 129
CHAPTER - XIX
THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER
FOR ADMINISTRATION
156 Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration............................................ 130
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
* Articles 155FF and 155FFF inserted by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
** Articles 155G - 155L repealed by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
xiv
CHAPTER - XX
GENERAL
Article Page
157 International Treaties and Agreements ............................................................ 131
157A Prohibition against violation of territorial integrity of Sri Lanka .................. 131
158 Delegation ............................................................................................................ 134
159 Deputy Speaker to act for Speaker ................................................................... 134
CHAPTER - XXI
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
160 First President ...................................................................................................... 135
161 First Parliament .................................................................................................... 135
162 Application of certain provisions ..................................................................... 140
163 Judges of Supreme Court and High Court to cease to hold office ............... 141
164 Continuation in office of Judges, public officers and others ........................ 141
165 Oath or affirmation to be taken or made by public officers and others ........ 141
166 Powers, privileges, immunities and rights of the Republic ............................ 142
167 Rights, duties and obligations of the Republic ............................................... 142
168 Past operation of laws, previous acts, offences and pending actions &c... 142
169 Provisions relating to Judiciary ......................................................................... 143
169A Provision relating to Queen’s Counsel and Senior Attorneys-at-Law ......... 148
CHAPTER - XXII
INTERPRETATION
170 Interpretation ....................................................................................................... 149
CHAPTER - XXIII
REPEAL
171 Repealed ............................................................................................................... 152
The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
xv
CHAPTER - XXIV
PROMULGATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
Article Page
172 Promulgation of the Constitution ..................................................................... 153
Other Consequential Amendments in the Seventeenth
Amendment to the Constitution ....................................................................... 154
SCHEDULES
First Schedule ...................................................................................................... 156
Second Schedule ................................................................................................. 157
Third Schedule .................................................................................................... 158
Fourth Schedule ...................................................................................... ……... 161
Fifth Schedule....................................................................................................... 162
Sixth Schedule ..................................................................................................... 163
Seventh Schedule ............................................................................................... 164
Eighth Schedule................................................................................................... 165
Ninth Schedule .................................................................................................... 165
APPENDIXES
Appendix I ........................................................................................................... 171
Appendix II........................................................................................................... 177
Appendix III.......................................................................................................... 179


As amended on the 9th September 2010

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