Sri Lanka 1978 (rev. 2015) Subsequently amended

The PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA having, by their Mandate freely expressed and granted on the Sixth day of the waxing moon in the month of Adhi Nikini in the year Two Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty one of the Buddhist Era (being Thursday the Twenty first day of the month of July in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy seven), entrusted to and empowered their Representatives elected on that day to draft, adopt and operate a new Republican Constitution in order to achieve the goals of a DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC, and having solemnly resolved by the grant of such Mandate and the confidence reposed in their said Representatives who were elected by an overwhelming majority, to constitute SRI LANKA into a DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC whilst ratifying the immutable republican principles of REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY and assuring to all peoples FREEDOM, EQUALITY, JUSTICE, FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS and the INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY as the intangible heritage that guarantees the dignity and well-being of succeeding generations of the People of SRI LANKA and of all the people of the World, who come to share with those generations the effort of working for the creation and preservation of a JUSTAND FREE SOCIETY:

WE, THE FREELY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA, in pursuance of such Mandate, humbly acknowledging our obligations to our People and gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain and preserve their rights and privileges so that the Dignity and Freedom of the Individual may be assured, Just, Social, Economic and Cultural Order attained, the Unity of the Country restored, and Concord established with other Nations,

do hereby adopt and enact

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA.

CHAPTER I. THE PEOPLE, THE STATE AND SOVEREIGNTY

Type of government envisioned

1. The State

Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is a Free, Sovereign, Independent and Democratic Socialist Republic and shall be known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

2. Unitary State

The Republic of Sri Lanka is a Unitary State.

3. Sovereignty of the People

In the Republic of Sri Lanka sovereignty is in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty includes the powers of government, fundamental rights and the franchise.

4. Exercise of Sovereignty

The Sovereignty of the People shall be exercised and enjoyed in the following manner:–

5. Territory of the Republic

The territory of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall consist of the twenty-five administrative districts, the names of which are set out in the First Schedule and its territorial waters:

Provided that such administrative districts may be subdivided or amalgamated so as to constitute different administrative districts, as Parliament may by resolution determine.

National flag

6. The National Flag

The National Flag of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be the Lion Flag depicted in the Second Schedule.

National anthem

7. The National Anthem

The National Anthem of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be “Sri Lanka Matha”, the words and music of which are set out in the Third Schedule.

8. The National Day

The National Day of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be the fourth day of February.

CHAPTER II. BUDDHISM

God or other deities , Official religion

CHAPTER III. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Freedom of religion , Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience

10. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.

Prohibition of torture , Prohibition of cruel treatment

11. Freedom from torture

No person shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

General guarantee of equality

12. Right to equality

    All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.

Equality regardless of language , Equality regardless of political party , Equality regardless of religion , Equality regardless of origin , Equality regardless of race , Mentions of social class , Equality regardless of gender

No citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any one of such grounds:

Provided that it shall be lawful to require a person to acquire within a reasonable time sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any employment or office in the Public, Judicial or Local Government Service or in the service of any Public Corporation, where such knowledge is reasonably necessary for the discharge of the duties of such employment or office:

Provided further that it shall be lawful to require a person to have a sufficient knowledge of any language as a qualification for any such employment or office where no function of that employment or office can be discharged otherwise than with a knowledge of that language.

Equality regardless of gender , Equality regardless of religion , Equality regardless of language , Equality regardless of race

13. Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment, and prohibition of retrospective penal legislation

Protection from unjustified restraint Right to fair trial Presumption of innocence in trials Every person shall be presumed innocent until he is proved guilty: Provided that the burden of proving particular facts may, by law, be placed on an accused person. Protection from ex post facto laws , Principle of no punishment without law

No person shall be held guilty of an offence on account of any act or omission which did not, at the time of such act or omission, constitute such an offence and no penalty shall be imposed for any offence more severe than the penalty in force at the time such offence was committed.

Nothing in this Article shall prejudice the trial and punishment of any person for any act or omission which, at the time when it was committed, was criminal according to the general principles of law recognized by the community of nations.

It shall not be contravention of this Article to require the imposition of a minimum penalty for an offence provided that such penalty does not exceed the maximum penalty prescribed for such offence at the time such offence was committed.

Power to deport citizens

14. Freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, movement etc

    Every citizen is entitled to –
    Freedom of press , Freedom of expression Freedom of assembly Freedom of association Right to join trade unions Right to choose occupation , Right to establish a business Freedom of movement Right to information

    14A. Right of access to information

    1. Every citizen shall have the right of access to any information as provided for by law, being information that is required for the exercise or protection of a citizen’s right held by-
      1. the State, a Ministry or any Government Department or any statutory body established or created by or under any law;
      2. any Ministry of a Minster of the Board of Ministers of a Province or any Department or any statutory body established or created by a statute of a Provincial Council;
      3. any local authority; and
      4. any other person, who is in possession of such information relating to any institution referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) (b) or (c) of this paragraph.
      Right to protect one's reputation

      15. Restrictions on fundamental rights

      1. The exercise and operation of the fundamental rights declared and recognized by Articles 13(5) and 13(6) shall be subject only to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of national security. For the purposes of this paragraph “law” includes regulations made under the law for the time being relating to public security.
      2. The exercise and operation of the fundamental right declared and recognized by Article 14(1)(a) shall be subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of racial and religious harmony or in relation to parliamentary privilege, contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
      3. The exercise and operation of the fundamental right declared and recognized by Article 14(1)(b) shall be subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of racial and religious harmony.
      4. The exercise and operation of the fundamental right declared and recognized by Article 14(1)(c) shall be subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of racial and religious harmony or national economy.
      5. The exercise and operation of the fundamental right declared and recognized by Article 14(1)(g) shall be subject to such restrictions as may be prescribed by law in the interests of national economy or in relation to –
        1. the professional, technical, academic, financial and other qualifications necessary for practising any profession or carrying on any occupation, trade, business or enterprise and the licensing and disciplinary control of the person entitled to such fundamental right; and
        2. the carrying on by the State, a State agency or a public corporation of any trade, business, industry, service or enterprise whether to the exclusion, complete or partial, of citizens or otherwise.

        16. Existing written law and unwritten law to continue in force

        1. All existing written law and unwritten law shall be valid and operative notwithstanding any inconsistency with the preceding provisions of this Chapter.
        2. The subjection of any person on the order of a competent court to any form of punishment recognized by any existing written law shall not be a contravention of the provisions of this Chapter.
        Ultra-vires administrative actions

        17. Remedy for the infringement of fundamental rights by executive action

        Every person shall be entitled to apply to the Supreme Court, as provided by Article 126, in respect of the infringement or imminent infringement, by executive or administrative action, of a fundamental right to which such person is entitled under the provisions of this Chapter.

        CHAPTER IV. LANGUAGE

        Official or national languages

        18. Official Language

        1. The Official Language of Sri Lanka shall be Sinhala.
        2. Tamil shall also be an official language.
        3. English shall be the link language.
        4. Parliament shall by law provide for the implementation of the provisions of this Chapter.
        Official or national languages

        19. National Languages

        The National Languages of Sri Lanka shall be Sinhala and Tamil.

        20. Use of National Languages in Parliament, Provincial Councils and Local Authorities

        A Member of Parliament or a member of a Provincial Council or a Local Authority shall be entitled to perform his duties and discharge his functions in Parliament or in such Provincial Council or Local Authority in either of the National Languages.

        21. Medium of instruction

        1. A person shall be entitled to be educated through the medium of either of the National Languages:

        Provided that the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to an institution of higher education where the medium of instruction is a language other than a National Language.

        Provided that compliance with the preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not be obligatory if such other National Language is the medium of instruction for or in any like course, department or faculty either at any other campus or branch of such University or of any other like University.

        22. Languages of Administration

        1. Sinhala and Tamil shall be the languages of administration throughout Sri Lanka and Sinhala shall be the language of administration and be used for the maintenance of public records and the transaction of all business by public institutions of all the Provinces of Sri Lanka other than the Northern and Eastern Provinces where Tamil shall be so used:

        Provided that the President may, having regard to the proportion which the Sinhala or Tamil linguistic minority population in any unit comprising a division of an Assistant Government Agent, bears to the total population of that area, direct that both Sinhala and Tamil or a language other than the language used as the language of administration in the province in which such area may be situated, be used as the language of administration for such area.

        1. to receive communications from and to communicate and transact business with, any official in his official capacity, in either Tamil or English;
        2. If the law recognizes his right to inspect or to obtain copies of or extracts from any official register, record, publication or other document, to obtain a copy of, or an extract from such register, record, publication or other document, or a translation thereof, as the case may be, in either Tamil or English;
        3. where a document is executed by any official for the purpose of being issued to him, to obtain such document or a translation thereof, in either Tamil or English;

        Provided, however, that a Provincial Council, Local Authority, Public Institution or any official receiving communications from transacting business with any other or Provincial Council, Local Authority, Public Institution or an official functioning in an area in which a different language is used as the Language of administration shall be entitled to receive communications from and to communicate and transact business in English.

        Provided that a person may be required to have a sufficient knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil, as a condition for admission to any such service or public institution where no function of the office or employment for which he is recruited can be discharged otherwise than with a sufficient knowledge of such language.

          “Official” means the President, any Minister, Deputy Minister, Governor, Chief Minister or Minister of the Board of Ministers of a Province, or any officer of a public institution; local authority or Provincial Council; and

        “Public Institution” means a department or institution of the Government, a public corporation or statutory institution.

        23. Language of Legislation

        1. All laws and subordinate legislation shall be enacted or made and published in Sinhala and Tamil, together with a translation thereof in English:

        Provided that Parliament shall, at the stage of enactment of any law determine which text shall prevail in the event of any inconsistency between texts:

        Provided further that in respect of all other written laws and the text in which such written laws was enacted or adopted or made, shall prevail in the event of any inconsistency between such texts.

        24. Languages of the courts

        1. Sinhala and Tamil shall be the languages of the Courts throughout Sri Lanka and Sinhala shall be used as the language of the courts situated in all the areas of Sri Lanka except those in any area where Tamil is the language of administration. The record and proceedings shall be in the language of the Court. In the event of an appeal from any court records shall also be prepared in the language of the court hearing the appeal, if the language of such court is other than the language used by the court from which the appeal is preferred:

        Provided that the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice may, with the concurrence of the cabinet of Ministers direct that the record of any court shall also be maintained and the proceedings conducted in a language other than the language of the court;

        Trial in native language of accused
          “Court” means any court or tribunal created and established for the administration of justice including the adjudication and settlement of industrial and other disputes, or any other tribunal or institution exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions or any tribunal or institution created and established for the conciliation and settlement of disputes;
        "Judge” includes the President, Chairman, Presiding Officer and member of any court; and “Record” includes Pleadings, Judgments, Orders and Other judicial and Ministerial acts.

        25. Provision for adequate facilities for use of languages provided for in this Chapter

        The State shall provide adequate facilities for the use of the languages provided for in this Chapter.

        25A. Provision of any law inconsistent with this Chapter deemed to be repealed

        In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any law and the provisions of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall prevail.

        Requirements for birthright citizenship

        CHAPTER V. CITIZENSHIP

        26. Citizenship of Sri Lanka

          There shall be one status of citizenship known as “the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka”.
        Requirements for naturalization Conditions for revoking citizenship

        No citizen of Sri Lanka shall be deprived of his status of a citizen of Sri Lanka, except under and by virtue of the provisions of sections 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Citizenship Act:

        Provided that the provisions of sections 23 and 24 of that Act shall also be applicable to a person who became entitled to the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka by virtue of registration under the provisions of section 11, 12 or 13 of that Act.

        CHAPTER VI. DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

        27. Directive Principles of State Policy

        1. The Directive Principles of State Policy herein contained shall guide Parliament, the President and the Cabinet of Ministers in the enactment of laws and the governance of Sri Lanka for the establishment of a just and free society.
        2. The State is pledged to establish in Sri Lanka a Democratic Socialist Society, the objectives of which include –
          1. the full realization of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all persons;
          2. the promotion of the welfare of the People by securing and protecting as effectively as it may, a social order in which justice (social, economic and political) shall guide all the institutions of the national life;

          Right to rest and leisure , Right to reasonable standard of living , Right to culture , Right to shelter

          Mentions of social class Right to development of personality Access to higher education Protection of language use , Right to culture Right to found a family State support for children , Rights of children Protection of environment

          28. Fundamental duties

          The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms are inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations and accordingly it is the duty of every person in Sri Lanka –

          Duty to obey the constitution Duty to work Protection of environment

          29. Principles of State Policy and fundamental duties not justifiable

          The provisions of this Chapter do not confer or impose legal rights or obligations and are not enforceable in any court or tribunal. No question of inconsistency with such provisions shall be raised in any court or tribunal.

          CHAPTER VII. THE EXECUTIVE - The President of the Republic

          30. The President of the Republic

          Name/structure of executive(s) , Designation of commander in chief Head of state term length , Head of state selection

          31. The election and the term of office of the President

          Head of state selection
          1. by a recognized political party; or
          2. if he is or has been an elected member of the legislature, by any other political party or by an elector whose name has been entered in any register of electors.
          Head of state term limits Scheduling of elections

          3A

            1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding provisions of this Chapter, the President may, at any time after the expiration of four years from the commencement of his first term of office, by Proclamation, declare his intention of appealing to the People for a mandate to hold office, by election, for a further term:
            2. Upon the making of a Proclamation under sub-paragraph (i) the Commissioner of Elections shall be required to take a poll for the election of the President.

            Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall act in the office of President.

            1. is the President in office, hold office for a term of five years commencing on such date in the year in which that election is held (being a date after such election) or in the succeeding year, as corresponds to the date on which his first term of office commenced, whichever date is earlier; or
            2. is not the President in office, hold office for a term of five years commencing on the date on which the result of such election is declared.
            1. if any person declared elected as President at a poll for the election of a President dies at any time after his being declared elected as President and before the date on which his term of office would, but for his death, have commenced, the Commissioner of Elections, shall take a fresh poll for the election of a President. If the date fixed for such fresh poll is a date later than such first-mentioned date, the term of office of the person declared elected at such poll shall, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Article, be deemed to have commenced on such first-mentioned date. For the purposes only of Article 38(1)(d), the date of commencement of the term of office of the new President shall be the date of his election;
            2. where the President in office is not a candidate or is not reelected, at a poll for the election of a President, his term of office shall be deemed to have expired on the date on which the result of such election is declared. The person elected as President at such election shall assume office forthwith, but not later than two weeks from such date:

            Provided that the President in office, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 30, shall continue to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of President until the assumption of office by the person declared elected as President. If the office of President becomes vacant, by reason of the person declared elected as President failing to assume office, the President in office shall continue to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of President, until the Prime Minister or if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or if the Prime Minister be unable to act, the Speaker commences to act in the office of President in terms of Article 40;

            Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall act in the office of President.

            1. the nomination of candidates for the election of President;
            2. the register of electors to be used at and the procedure for the election of the President;
            3. the creation of offences relating to such election and the punishment therefor;
            4. the grounds and manner of avoiding such election and of determining any disputed election; and
            5. all other matters necessary or incidental thereto.

            32. Assumption of office

            Oaths to abide by constitution Head of state powers

            33. Duties, powers and functions of the President

            1. It shall be the duty of the President to-
              1. ensure that the Constitution is respected and upheld;
              2. promote national reconciliation and integration;
              3. ensure and facilitate the proper functioning of the Constitutional Council and the institutions referred to in Chapter VIIA; and
              Dismissal of the legislature Foreign affairs representative Power to declare/approve war International law

              33A. President to be responsible to Parliament

              The President shall be responsible to Parliament for the due exercise, performance and discharge of his powers, duties and functions under the Constitution and any written law, including the law for the time being relating to public security.

              Power to pardon

              34. Grant of pardon

              1. The President may in the case of any offender convicted of any offence in any court within the Republic of Sri Lanka –
                1. grant a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions;
                2. grant any respite, either indefinite for such period as the President may think fit, of the execution of any sentence passed on such offender;
                3. substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on such offender; or
                4. remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the Republic on account of such offence:

                Provided that where any offender shall have been condemned to suffer death by the sentence of any court, the President shall cause a report to be made to him by the Judge who tried the case and shall forward such report to the Attorney-General with instructions that after the Attorney-General has advised thereon, the report shall be sent together with the Attorney-General’s advice to the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice, who shall forward the report with his recommendation to the President.

                1. grant a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; or
                2. reduce the period of such disqualification.

                35. Immunity of President from suit

                Head of state immunity

                While any person holds office as President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the President in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President, either in his official or private capacity:

                Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be read and construed as restricting the right of any person to make an application under Article 126 against the Attorney-General, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the President, in his official capacity:

                Provided further that the Supreme Court shall have no jurisdiction to pronounce upon the exercise of the powers of the President under Article 33(2)(g).

                36. Salary and Pension

                1. Within one month of the commencement of the Constitution, Parliament shall by resolution determine the salary, allowances and pension entitlement of the holders of the office of President. Such pension shall be in addition to any other pension to which such person is entitled by virtue of any prior service.
                2. Upon the assumption of the office of President the holder of such office shall become entitled to the receipt of such salary and allowances and thereafter, of such pension as may be determined by Parliament. Any subsequent amendment, repeal or replacement of this Article and any subsequent law or any provision thereof inconsistent with this Article shall not have retrospective operation.
                3. The salary, allowances and pension of the President shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                4. Parliament may by resolution increase, but shall not reduce, the salary, allowances or pension entitlement of the holders of the office of President.

                37. Exercise, performance and discharge of powers, duties and functions of the President by the Prime Minister

                1. If the President is of the opinion that by reason of illness, absence from Sri Lanka or any other cause he will be unable to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of his office, he may appoint the Prime Minister to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of President during such period and may also appoint one of the other Ministers of the Cabinet to act in the office of Prime Minister during such period:

                Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the President may appoint the Speaker to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of president during such period.

                Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the office of President during such period.

                38. Vacation of office by President

                1. The office of President shall become vacant –
                  1. upon his death;
                  2. if he resigns his office by a writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker;
                  3. if he ceases to be a citizen of Sri Lanka;
                  4. if the person elected as President willfully fails to assume office within two weeks from the date of commencement of his term of office;
                  5. if he is removed from office as provided in the next succeeding paragraph; or
                  Supreme court powers Head of state removal , Supreme court powers

                  2

                  1. Any Member of Parliament may, by a writing addressed to the Speaker, give notice of a resolution alleging that the President is permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office by reason of mental or physical infirmity or that the president has been guilty of –
                    1. intentional violation of the Constitution,
                    2. treason,
                    3. bribery,
                    4. misconduct or corruption involving the abuse of the powers of his office, or
                    5. any offence under any law, involving moral turpitude and setting out full particulars of the allegation or allegations made and seeking an inquiry and report thereon by the Supreme Court.
                    1. such notice of resolution is signed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members of Parliament; or
                    2. such notice of resolution is signed by not less than one-half of the whole number of Members of Parliament and the Speaker is satisfied that such allegation or allegations merit inquiry and report by the Supreme Court.

                    39. Determination by the Supreme Court that the President was not duly elected or the election of the President was void

                    1. Where the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Article 130 determines –
                      1. that the election of the President was void and does not determine that any other person was duly elected, then, a poll for the election of the President shall be taken not later than three months from the date of the determination; or
                      2. that any other person was duly elected as President, then, such other person shall assume the office of President within one month of the date of the determination.

                      For the purposes of Article 38(1)(d), the date of commencement of the term of office of the new President shall be the date of his election or the date of the determination, as the case may be.

                      Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall act in the office of the President.

                      40. Vacation of office by President and election of succeeding President

                      1

                      Head of state replacement

                      Provided that if such vacancy occurs after the dissolution of Parliament, the President shall be elected by the new Parliament within one month of its first meeting.

                      Provided that if the office of Prime Minister be then vacant or the Prime Minister is unable to act, the Speaker shall act in the office of President.

                      1. The provisions of the Constitution relating to the President (other than the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 32) shall apply, in so far as they can be applied, to an acting President.
                      2. Parliament shall by law provide for all matters relating to the procedure for the election of the President by Parliament and all other matters necessary or incidental thereto.

                      41. President's staff

                      1. The President shall have the power to appoint such Secretaries, and, in consultation with the Cabinet of Ministers, such other officers and staff as are in his opinion necessary to assist him in the exercise, performance and discharge of the powers, duties and functions of his office, and to determine their terms and conditions of service.
                      2. The salaries of such Secretaries, officers and staff shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                      3. Such Secretaries, officers and staff shall be deemed to be public officers except that the dismissal and disciplinary control of such Secretaries, officers and staff shall be vested in the President, who may delegate to any such Secretary his powers of dismissal and disciplinary control in respect of any such officers or staff.
                      4. Every such Secretary, officer or member of the staff shall cease to hold office upon a new President assuming office.
                      5. Where any such Secretary, officer or member of the staff so ceases to hold office, the Cabinet of Ministers may appoint such Secretary, officer or member of the staff to any post in the Public Service:

                      Provided that any such Secretary, officer or member of the staff who immediately prior to his appointment as Secretary, officer or member of the staff was in the Public or Local Government Service or in the service of a public corporation shall be entitled to revert to such service without loss of seniority upon a new President assuming office.

                      1. the President terminating the services of such person, otherwise than by dismissal on disciplinary ground; or
                      2. the resignation of such person, unless disciplinary proceedings are pending or contemplated against such person on the date of his resignation.
                      Advisory bodies to the head of state

                      CHAPTER VIIA. THE CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL

                      41A. Constitution of the Constitutional Council

                      1. There shall be a Constitutional Council (in this Chapter referred to as the “Council”) which shall consist of the following members –
                        1. the Prime Minister;
                        2. the Speaker;
                        3. the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament;
                        4. one Member of Parliament appointed by the President;
                        5. five persons appointed by the President, on the nomination of both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition of whom two persons shall be Members of Parliament; and
                        6. one Member of Parliament nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament belonging to political parties or independent groups, other than the respective political parties or independent groups to which the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition belong, and appointed by the President.

                        7

                        1. On the dissolution of Parliament, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 64, the Speaker shall continue to hold office as a member of the Council, until a Member of Parliament is elected to be the Speaker under paragraph (1) of the aforesaid Article;
                        2. Notwithstanding the dissolution of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Members of Parliament who are members of the Constitutional Council, shall continue to hold office as Members of such Council, until such time after a General Election following such dissolution, a Member of Parliament is appointed as the Prime Minister or recognized as the Leader of the Opposition or such number of Members of Parliament are appointed as Members of the Constitutional Council under sub-paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of paragraph (1), as the case may be.

                        41B. Council to recommend appointments

                        1. No person shall be appointed by the President as the Chairman or a member of any of the Commissions specified in the Schedule to this Article, except on a recommendation of the Council.
                        2. The provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article shall apply in respect of any person appointed to act as the Chairman or as a member of any such Commission.
                        3. It shall be the duty of the Council to recommend to the President fit and proper persons for appointment as Chairmen or members of the Commissions specified in the Schedule to this Article, whenever the occasion for such appointments arises, and such recommendations shall endeavour to ensure that such recommendations reflect the pluralistic character of Sri Lankan society, including gender. In the case of the Chairmen of such Commissions, the Council shall recommend three persons for appointment, and the President shall appoint one of the persons recommended as Chairman.
                        Head of state powers
                        1. the persons recommended under paragraph (3), to be appointed as members of a Commission, shall be deemed to have been appointed as the members of the Commissions; and
                        2. the person whose name appears first in the list of names recommended under paragraph (3), to be appointed as the Chairman of a Commission, shall be deemed to have been appointed the Chairman of the respective Commission,

                        with effect from the date of expiry of such period.

                        SCHEDULE TO THE ARTICLE

                        1. The Election Commission.
                        2. The Public Service Commission.
                        3. The National Police Commission.
                        4. The Audit Service Commission.
                        Human rights commission

                        41C. Council to approve appointments

                        Head of state powers

                        Provided that no person shall be appointed to act in any such office for successive periods not exceeding fourteen days, unless such acting appointment has been approved by the Council on a recommendation by the President.

                        SCHEDULE TO THE ARTICLE

                        PART I

                        1. The Chief Justice and the Judges of the Supreme Court.
                        2. The President and the Judges of the Court of Appeal.
                        3. The Members of the Judicial Service Commission, other than the Chairman.

                        PART II

                        1. The Attorney-General.
                        2. The Auditor-General.
                        3. The Inspector-General of Police.
                        4. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman).
                        5. The Secretary-General of Parliament.

                        41D. Secretary-General and other officers of the Council

                        1. There shall be a Secretary-General to the Council who shall be appointed by the Council for a term of five years. Upon the expiration of his term of office, the Secretary-General shall be eligible for reappointment.
                        2. The Council may appoint such officers as it considers necessary for the discharge of its functions, on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Council.

                        41E. Meetings of the Council

                        1. The Council shall meet at least twice every month, and as often as may be necessary to discharge the functions assigned to the Council by the provisions of this Chapter or by any law, and such meetings shall be summoned by the Secretary-General to the Council on the direction of the Chairman of the Council.
                        2. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Council and in the absence of the Chairman, the Prime Minister, and in the absence of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition shall preside at the meetings of the Council.
                        3. The quorum for any meeting of the Council shall be five members.
                        4. The Council shall endeavour to make every recommendation, approval or decision it is required to make by unanimous decision and in the absence of an unanimous decision, no recommendation, approval or decision made by the Council shall be valid, unless supported by not less than five members of the Council present at such meeting.
                        5. The Chairman or the other member presiding shall not have an original vote, but in the event of an equality of votes on any question for decision at any meeting of the Council, the Chairman or other member presiding at such meeting, shall have a casting vote.
                        6. The procedure in regard to meetings of the Council and the transaction of business at such meetings shall be determined by the Council, including procedures to be followed in regard to the recommendation or approval of persons suitable for any appointment under Article 41B or Article 41C.
                        7. Any member of the Council appointed under sub-paragraphs (d), (e), or (f) of paragraph (1) of Article 41A, who without obtaining prior leave of the Council absents himself from three consecutive meetings of the Council, shall be deemed to have vacated office with effect from the date of the third of such meetings.
                        8. The Council shall have the power to act notwithstanding the fact that it has not been fully constituted or that there is a vacancy in its membership, and no act, proceeding or decision of the Council shall be or deemed to be invalid by reason only of the fact that the Council has not been fully constituted or that there has been a vacancy in its membership or that there has been any defect in the appointment of a member.

                        41F. Continuation in office of the members of the Council

                        Notwithstanding the expiration of the term of office of the members of the Council or of the members of any Commission specified in the Schedule to Article 41B, the members of the Council or of such other Commission shall continue in office until the assumption of office by the new members of the Council or of such other Commission.

                        41G. Powers and duties of the Council

                        1. The Council shall, once in every three months, submit to the President a report of its activities during the preceding three months.
                        2. The Council shall perform and discharge such other duties and functions as may be imposed or assigned to the Council by the Constitution, or by any other written law.
                        3. The Council shall have the power to make rules relating to the performance and discharge of its duties and function. All such rules shall be published in the Gazette and be placed before Parliament within three months of such publication.

                        41H. Expenses to be charged on the Consolidated Fund

                        The expenses incurred by the Council shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.

                        41I. Finality of decisions of the Council

                        Subject to the provisions of Article 126, no court shall have the power or jurisdiction to entertain, hear or decide or call in question, on any ground whatsoever, or in any manner whatsoever, any decision of the Council or any approval or recommendation made by the Council, which decision, approval or recommendation shall be final and conclusive for all purposes.

                        Establishment of cabinet/ministers

                        CHAPTER VIII. THE EXECUTIVE - The Cabinet of Ministers

                        42. Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers

                        Powers of cabinet Cabinet removal

                        Head of government's role in the legislature , Head of government selection , Minimum age of head of government , Name/structure of executive(s) , Eligibility for head of government

                        43. Ministers and their subjects and functions

                        Head of state powers Eligibility for cabinet , Cabinet selection Head of state powers

                        44. Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers

                        1. The President may, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint from among Members of Parliament, Ministers who shall not be members of the Cabinet of Ministers.
                        2. The President may, in consultation with the Prime Minister where he considers such consultation to be necessary, determine the assignment of subjects and functions to Ministers appointed under paragraph (1) of this Article and the Ministries, if any, which are to be in charge of, such Ministers.
                        3. The President may at any time change any assignment made under paragraph (2).
                        4. Every Minister appointed under paragraph (1) shall be responsible to the Cabinet of Ministers and to Parliament.
                        5. Any Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers may, by Notification published in the Gazette, delegate to any Minister who is not a member of the Cabinet of Ministers, any power or duty pertaining to any subject or function assigned to such cabinet Minister, or any power or duty conferred or imposed on him by any written law, and it shall be lawful for such other Minister to exercise and perform any power or duty delegated notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the written law by which that power or duty is conferred or imposed on such Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers.

                        45. Deputy Ministers

                        1. The President may, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint from among the Members of Parliament, Deputy Ministers to assist the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers in the performance of their duties.
                        2. Any Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers may by Notification published in the Gazette, delegate to his Deputy Minister any power or duty pertaining to any subject or function assigned to him or any power or duty conferred or imposed on him by any written law, and it shall be lawful for such Deputy Minister to exercise and perform any power or duty delegated notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the written law by which that power or duty is conferred or imposed on such Minister.

                        46. Tenure of office of the Prime Minister, and the limitation of numbers and tenure of office of Ministers and Deputy Ministers

                        1. The total number of–
                          1. Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers shall not exceed thirty; and
                          2. Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers shall not, in the aggregate, exceed forty.
                          Head of government removal Cabinet removal
                          1. is removed from office under the hand of the President on the advice of the Prime Minister;
                          2. resigns from office by a writing under his hand addressed to the President; or
                          3. ceases to be a Member of Parliament.

                          47. Cabinet of Ministers after dissolution of Parliament

                          1. The Cabinet of Ministers functioning immediately prior to the dissolution of Parliament shall, notwithstanding such dissolution, continue to function and shall cease to function upon the conclusion of the General Election and accordingly, the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, shall continue to function unless they cease to hold office as provided in sub paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) or sub paragraph (a) or (b) of paragraph (3) of Article 46 and shall comply with the criteria set out by the Commissioner of Elections and shall not cause any undue influence on the General Election.
                          2. Notwithstanding the death, removal from office or resignation of the Prime Minister, during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, the Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to function with the other Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers as it members, until the conclusion of the General Election. The President may appoint one such Minister to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister.
                          3. On the death, removal from office or resignation, during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, of a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, the President may, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint any other Minister to be the Minister in charge of the Ministry of such Minister or to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of such Minister.
                          Cabinet removal , Head of government replacement

                          48. Dissolution of the Cabinet of Ministers

                          Head of government removal

                          On the Prime Minister ceasing to hold office by death, resignation or otherwise, except during the period intervening between the dissolution of Parliament and the conclusion of the General Election, the Cabinet of Ministers shall, unless the President has in the exercise of his powers under Article 70, dissolved Parliament, stand dissolved and the President shall appoint a Prime Minister, Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers who are not members of the Cabinet of Ministers and Deputy Ministers in terms of Articles 42, 43, 44 and 45:

                          Provided that if after the Prime Minister so ceases to hold office, Parliament is dissolved, the Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to function with the other Ministers of the Cabinet as its members, until the conclusion of the General Election. The President may appoint one such Minister to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of the Prime Minister, and the provisions of Article 47 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply.

                          49. Acting Ministers and Deputy Ministers

                          Whenever a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, a Minister who is not a members of the Cabinet of Ministers or a Deputy Minister is unable to discharge the functions of his office, the President may, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint any Member of Parliament to act in the place of such Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister who is not a member of the Cabinet of Ministers or a Deputy Minister.

                          50. Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers

                          1. There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers who shall be appointed by the President.
                          2. The Secretary shall, subject to the direction of the President, have charge of the office of the Cabinet of Ministers, and shall discharge and perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned to him by the President or the Cabinet of Ministers.

                          51. Secretary to the Prime Minister

                          1. There shall be a Secretary to the Prime Minister who shall be appointed by the President.
                          2. The Secretary shall have charge of the office of the Prime Minister and shall perform and discharge the duties and functions of his office, subject to the directions of the Prime Minister.

                          52. Secretaries to Ministries

                          1. There shall be a Secretary for every Ministry of a Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, who shall be appointed by the President.
                          2. The Secretary to the Ministry shall, subject to the direction and control of his Minister, exercise supervision over the departments of government or other institutions in charge of the Minister.
                          3. The Secretary to a Ministry shall cease to hold office upon the dissolution of the Cabinet of Ministers under the provisions of the Constitution or upon a determination by the President under Article 43 or Article 44 which results in such Ministry ceasing to exist.
                          4. For the purposes of this Article, the office of the Secretary to the President, the office of the Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers, the office of the Auditor-General, the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman), the office of the Secretary-General of Parliament, the Constitutional Council, and the Commissions referred to in the Schedule to Article 41B shall be deemed not to be departments of Government.
                          Oaths to abide by constitution

                          53. Official oath and affirmation

                          Every person appointed to any office referred to in this Chapter shall not enter upon the duties of his office until he takes and subscribes the oath, or makes and subscribes the affirmation, set out in the Fourth Schedule and Seventh Schedule.

                          CHAPTER IX. THE EXECUTIVE - The Public Service

                          54. Public Service Commission

                          1. There shall be a Public Service Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) which shall consist of nine members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, of whom not less than three members shall be persons who have had over fifteen years experience as a public officer. The President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council shall appoint one member as its Chairman.
                          2. No person shall be appointed as a member of the Commission or continue to hold office as such member if he is or becomes a member of Parliament, a Provincial Council or a local authority.
                          3. Every person who immediately before his appointment as a member of the Commission was a public officer in the service of the State or a judicial officer, shall, upon such appointment taking effect ceases to hold such office and shall be ineligible for further appointment as a public officer or a judicial officer:

                          Provided that any such person shall, until he ceases to be a member of the Public Service Commission, or while continuing to be a member, attains the age at which he would, if he were a public officer or a judicial officer, as the case may be, be required to retire, be deemed to be a public officer or a judicial officer and to hold a pensionable office in the service of the State, for the purpose of any provision relating to the grant of pensions, gratuities and other allowances in respect of such service.

                          55. Powers and functions of the Cabinet of Ministers and of the Commission

                          Powers of cabinet Powers of cabinet

                          56. Committees of the Commission

                          1. The Commission may delegate to a Committee consisting of three persons (not being members of the Commission) appointed by the Commission, the powers of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of such categories of public officers as are specified by the Commission.
                          2. The Commission shall cause the appointment of any such committee to be published in the Gazette.
                          3. The procedure and quorum for meetings of any such Committee shall be as determined by the Commission by rules made in that behalf. The Commission shall cause such rules to be published in the Gazette.
                          4. There shall be a Secretary to each Committee, who shall be appointed by the Commission.

                          57. Delegation of powers to a public officer

                          1. The Commission may delegate to a public officer, subject to such conditions and procedure as may be determined by the Commission, its powers of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of such category of public officers as are specified by the Commission.
                          2. The Commission shall cause any such delegation to be published in the Gazette, including the conditions and procedure determined by the Commission for such purpose.

                          58. Right of appeal

                          1. Any public officer aggrieved by an order relating to a promotion, transfer, dismissal or an order on a disciplinary matter made by a Committee or any public officer under Article 56 or Article 57, in respect of the officer so aggrieved, may appeal to the Commission against such order in accordance with such rules made by the Commission from time to time, relating to the procedure to be followed in the making, hearing and determination of an appeal made to the Commission and the period fixed within which an appeal should be heard and concluded.
                          2. The Commission shall have the power upon such appeal to alter, vary, rescind or confirm an order against which an appeal is made, or to give directions in relation thereto, or to order such further or other inquiry as to the Commission shall seem fit.
                          3. The Commission shall cause to be published in the Gazette the rules made by it under paragraph (1) of this Article.

                          59. Administrative Appeals Tribunal

                          Establishment of judicial council , Administrative court selection

                          60. Commission not to exercise power where there is delegation

                          Upon delegation of any of its powers to a Committee or a public officer appointed under Article 56 or Article 57 as the case may be, the Commission shall not, while such delegation is in force, exercise or perform its functions or duties in regard to the categories of public officers in respect of which such delegation is made, subject to the provisions contained in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 58.

                          61. Procedure at meetings

                          1. The quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be five members.
                          2. All decisions of the Commission shall be made by a majority of votes of the members present at the meeting. In the event of an equality of votes, the member presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote.
                          3. The Chairman of the Commission shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and in his absence, a member elected by the members present from amongst themselves, shall preside at such meeting.

                          61A. Immunity from legal proceedings

                          Subject to the provisions of Article 59 and of Article 126, no court or tribunal shall have power or jurisdiction to inquire into, or pronounce upon or in any manner call in question any order or decision made by the Commission, a Committee, or any public officer, in pursuance of any power or duty conferred or imposed on such Commission, or delegated to a Committee or public officer, under this Chapter or under any other law.

                          61B. Savings of rules and regulations in force

                          Until the Commission otherwise provides, all rules, regulations and procedures relating to the public service as are in force on the date of the coming into operation of this Chapter, shall, mutatis mutandis, be deemed to continue in force as rules, regulations and procedures relating to the public service, as if they had been made or provided for under this Chapter.

                          61C. Interference with the Commission

                          1. Every person who, otherwise than in the course of such person’s lawful duty, directly or indirectly by himself or by or with any other person, in any manner whatsoever influences or attempts to influence or interferes with any decision of the Commission, or a Committee or a public officer to whom the Commission has delegated any power under this Chapter, or to so influence any member of the Commission or a Committee, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand Rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
                          2. Every High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article.

                          61D. Oath or affirmation of office

                          A person appointed to any office referred to in this Chapter shall not enter upon the duties of his office until he takes and subscribes the oath or makes and subscribes the affirmation set out in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

                          Attorney general

                          61E. Appointments by the President

                            The President shall appoint –
                            Selection of active-duty commanders

                            61F. Interpretation

                            For the purposes of this Chapter “public officer” does not include a member of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, an officer of the Election Commission appointed by such Commission, a police officer appointed by the National Police Commission, a scheduled public officer appointed by the Judicial Service Commission or a member of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service appointed by the Audit Service Commission.

                            CHAPTER X. THE LEGISLATURE - Parliament

                            Structure of legislative chamber(s)

                            62. Parliament

                            Size of first chamber , First chamber selection Term length for first chamber Oaths to abide by constitution

                            63. Official oath or affirmation

                            Except for the purpose of electing the Speaker, no Member shall sit or vote in parliament until he has taken and subscribed the following oath, or made and subscribed the following affirmation, before Parliament:–

                            “I …… do [solemnly declare and affirm/swear] that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.”

                            Legislative committees , Leader of first chamber

                            64. Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairman of Committees

                            1. Parliament shall, at its first meeting after a General Election, elect three Members to be respectively the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees (hereinafter referred to as the “Deputy Speaker”) and the Deputy Chairman of Committees thereof.
                            2. A member holding office as the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker or the Deputy Chairman of Committees shall, unless he earlier resigns his office by a writing under his hand addressed to the President or ceases to be a Member, vacate his office on the dissolution of Parliament.
                            3. Whenever the office of Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman of Committees becomes vacant otherwise than as a result of a dissolution of Parliament, Parliament shall at its first meeting after the occurrence of the vacancy elect another Member to be the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker or the Deputy Chairman of Committees, as the case may be.
                            4. If Parliament, after having been dissolved, is summoned under paragraph (7) of Article 70, each of the Members mentioned in paragraph (2) of this Article shall, notwithstanding anything therein, resume and continue to hold his office while that Parliament is kept in session.
                            5. The Speaker, or in his absence the Deputy Speaker, or in their absence the Deputy Chairman of Committees, shall preside at sittings of Parliament. If none of them is present, a Member elected by Parliament for the sitting shall preside at the sitting of Parliament.

                            65. Secretary General of Parliament

                            1. There shall be a Secretary-General of Parliament who shall, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, be appointed by the President and who shall hold office during good behaviour.
                            2. The salary of the Secretary-General shall be determined by Parliament, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund and shall not be diminished during his term of office.
                            3. The members of the staff of the Secretary-General shall be appointed by him with the approval of the Speaker.
                            4. The salaries of the members of the staff of the Secretary-General shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                            5. The office of the Secretary-General shall become vacant –
                              1. upon his death;
                              2. on his resignation in writing addressed to the President;
                              3. on his attaining the age of sixty years, unless Parliament otherwise provides by law;
                              4. on his removal by the President on account of ill health or physical or mental infirmity; or
                              5. on his removal by the President upon an address of Parliament.
                              Removal of individual legislators

                              66. Vacation of seats

                              The seat of a Member shall become vacant –

                              1. upon his death;
                              2. If, by a writing under his hand addressed to the Secretary-General of Parliament, he resigns his seat;
                              3. upon his assuming the office of President consequent to his election to such office, either by the People or by Parliament;
                              4. if he becomes subject to any disqualification specified in Article 89 or 91;
                              Outside professions of legislators Attendance by legislators Immunity of legislators

                              67. Privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and Members

                              The privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and of its Members may be determined and regulated by Parliament by law and until so determined and regulated, the provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, shall, mutatis mutandis, apply.

                              Compensation of legislators

                              68. Allowances of Members

                              1. Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members, including the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of committees, shall be paid such remuneration or allowance as may be provided by Parliament, by law or by resolution, and the receipt thereof shall not disqualify the recipient from sitting or voting in Parliament.
                              2. Until Parliament so provides, the remuneration payable to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members, including the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees, shall be the same as the remuneration paid to Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Members including the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees of the National State Assembly immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution.

                              69. Power of Parliament to act notwithstanding vacancies

                              Parliament shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership and its proceedings shall be valid notwithstanding that it is discovered subsequently that a person who was not entitled so to do sat or voted or otherwise took part in the proceedings.

                              CHAPTER XI. THE LEGISLATURE - Procedures and Powers

                              Dismissal of the legislature

                              70. Sessions of Parliament

                              1. The President may by Proclamation, summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament:

                              Provided that the President shall not dissolve Parliament until the expiration of a period of not less than four years and six months from the date appointed for its first meeting, unless Parliament requests the President to do so by a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present), voting in its favour.

                              Extraordinary legislative sessions

                              5

                              1. A Proclamation dissolving Parliament shall fix a date or dates for the election of Members of Parliament, and shall summon the new Parliament to meet on a date not later than three months after the date of such Proclamation.
                              2. Upon the dissolution of Parliament by virtue of the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 62, the President shall forthwith by Proclamation fix a date or dates for the election of Members of Parliament, and shall summon the new Parliament to meet on a date not later than three months after the date of such Proclamation.
                              3. The date fixed for the first meeting of Parliament by a Proclamation under sub-paragraph (a) or sub­paragraph (b) may be varied by a subsequent Proclamation, provided that the date so fixed by the subsequent Proclamation shall be a date not later than three months after the date of the original Proclamation.
                              Extraordinary legislative sessions

                              71. Adjournment

                              Parliament may adjourn from time to time as it may determine by resolution or Standing Order, until it is prorogued or dissolved.

                              72. Voting

                              1. Save as otherwise provided in the Constitution any question proposed for decision by Parliament shall be decided by the majority of votes of the Members present and voting.
                              2. The person presiding shall not vote in the first instance but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes.
                              Quorum for legislative sessions

                              73. Quorum

                              If at any time during a meeting of Parliament the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that there are fewer than twenty Members present, the person presiding shall, subject to any Standing Order, adjourn the sitting without question put.

                              74. Standing Orders

                              1. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament may by resolution or Standing Order provide for—
                                1. the election and retirement of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees, and
                                2. the regulation of its business, the preservation of order at its sittings and any other matter for which provision is required or authorized to be so made by the Constitution.

                                75. Legislative power

                                Parliament shall have power to make laws, including laws having retrospective effect and repealing or amending any provision of the Constitution, or adding any provision to the Constitution:

                                Provided that Parliament shall not make any law—

                                1. suspending the operation of the Constitution or any part thereof, or
                                2. repealing the Constitution as a whole unless such law also enacts a new Constitution to replace it.

                                76. Delegation of legislative power

                                1. Parliament shall not abdicate or in any manner alienate its legislative power, and shall not set up any authority with any legislative power.
                                2. It shall not be contravention of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article for Parliament to make, in any law relating to public security, provision empowering the President to make emergency regulations in accordance with such law.
                                3. It shall not be a contravention of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article for Parliament to make any law containing any provision empowering any person or body to make subordinate legislation for prescribed purposes, including the power—
                                  1. to appoint a date on which any law or any part thereof shall come into effect or cease to have effect;
                                  2. to make by order any law or any part thereof applicable to any locality or to any class of persons; and
                                  3. to create a legal person, by an order or an act.

                                  In sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph, “law” includes existing law.

                                  77. Duties of Attorney-General in regard to published Bills

                                  1. It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to examine every Bill for any contravention of the require­ments of paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 82 and for any provision which cannot be validly passed except by the special majority prescribed by the Constitution; and the Attorney-General or any officer assisting the Attorney­General in the performance of his duties under this Article shall be afforded all facilities necessary for the performance of such duties.
                                  2. If the Attorney-General is of the opinion that a Bill contravenes any of the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 82 or that any provision in a Bill cannot be validly passed except by the special majority prescribed by the Constitution, he shall communicate such opinion to the President:

                                  Provided that in the case of an amendment proposed to a Bill in Parliament, the Attorney-General shall communicate his opinion to the Speaker at the stage when the Bill is ready to be put to Parliament for its acceptance.

                                  78. Publication of Bills and passing of Bills and resolutions

                                  1. Every Bill shall be published in the Gazette at least fourteen days before it is placed on the Order Paper of Parliament.
                                  2. The passing of a Bill or a resolution by Parliament shall be in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament. Any one or more of the Standing Orders may be suspended by Parliament in the circumstances and in the manner prescribed by the Standing Orders.

                                  79. Certificate of Speaker

                                  The Speaker shall endorse on every Bill passed by Parliament a certificate in the following form:-

                                  “This Bill (here state the short title of the Bill) has been duly passed by Parliament.”

                                  Such certificate may also state the majority by which such Bill was passed:

                                  Provided that where by virtue of the provisions of Article or Article 83 or Article 84 or Article 123 (2) a special majority is required for the passing of a Bill, the Speaker shall certify such Bill only if such Bill has been passed with such special majority:

                                  Provided further that where by virtue of Article 83, the Bill or any provision thereof requires the approval of the People at a Referendum, such certificate shall further state that the Bill or such provision shall not become law until approved by the People at a Referendum.

                                  Approval or veto of general legislation

                                  80. When Bill becomes law

                                    Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Article, a Bill passed by Parliament shall become law when the certificate of the Speaker is endorsed thereon.

                                  Where the Cabinet of Ministers has certified that any Bill or any provision thereof is intended to be submitted for approval by the People at a Referendum or where the Supreme Court has determined that a Bill or any provision thereof requires the approval of the People at a Referendum or where any Bill is submitted to the People by Referendum under paragraph (2) of Article 85, such Bill or such provision shall become law upon being approved by the People at a Referendum in accordance with paragraph (3) of Article 85 only when the President certifies that the Bill or provision thereof has been so approved. The President shall endorse on every Bill so approved a certificate in the follow­ing form:-

                                  “This Bill/provision has been duly approved by the People at a Referendum.”
                                  1. in any case where no petition is filed challenging the validity of the referendum at which such bill was approved by the People, until after the expiration of the period within which a petition may be filed, under the law applicable in that behalf, challenging the validity of such referendum:
                                  2. in any case where a petition is filed challenging the validity of the Referendum at which such Bill was approved by the People, until after the Supreme Court determines that such Referendum was valid.

                                  Every such certificate shall be final and conclusive, and shall not be called in question in any court.

                                  Removal of individual legislators

                                  81. Expulsion of Members and imposition of civic disability

                                  1. Where a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry established under the Special Presidential Commis­sions of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978, and consisting of a member or members each of whom is a Judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court or the District Court recommends that any person should be made subject to civic disability by reason of any act done or omitted to be done by such person before or after the commencement of the Constitution, Parliament may by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present) voting in its favour –
                                    1. impose civic disability on such person for a period not exceeding seven years, and
                                    2. expel such person from Parliament, if he is a Member of Parliament.

                                    Where a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry consists of more than one member, a recommendation made by the majority of such members, in case of any difference of opinion, shall be, and shall be deemed for all purposes to be, the recommendation of such Commission of Inquiry.

                                    "This resolution has been duly passed by Parliament in accordance with the provisions of Article 81 of the Constitution."

                                    Every such certificate shall be conclusive for all purposes and shall not be questioned in any court, and no court or tribunal shall inquire into, or pronounce upon or in any manner call in question, the validity of such resolution on any ground whatsoever.

                                    Constitution amendment procedure

                                    CHAPTER XII. THE LEGISLATURE - AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

                                    82. Amendment or repeal of the Constitution must be expressed

                                    1. No Bill for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution shall be placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, unless the provision to be repealed, altered or added, and consequential amendments, if any, are expressly specified in the Bill and is described in the long title thereof as being an Act for the amendment of the Constitution.
                                    2. No Bill for the repeal of the Constitution shall be placed on the Order Paper of Parliament unless the Bill contains provisions replacing the Constitution and is described in the long title thereof as being an Act for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution.
                                    3. If in the opinion of the Speaker, a Bill does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this Article, he shall direct that such Bill be not proceeded with unless it is amended so as to comply with those requirements.
                                    4. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of this Article, it shall be lawful for a Bill which complies with the requirements of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this Article to be amended by Parliament provided that the Bill as so amended shall comply with those requirements.
                                    5. A Bill for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution or for the repeal and replacement of the Con­stitution, shall become law if the number of votes cast in favour thereof amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present) and upon a certificate by the President or the Speaker, as the case may be, being endorsed thereon in accordance with the provisions of Article 80 or 79.
                                    6. No provision in any law shall, or shall be deemed to, amend, repeal or replace the Constitution or any provision thereof, or be so interpreted or construed, unless enacted in accordance with the requirements of the preceding provi­sions of this Article.
                                    7. In this Chapter, “amendment” includes repeal, alteration and addition.

                                    83. Approval of certain Bills at a Referendum

                                    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the pro­visions of Article 82—

                                    1. a Bill for the amendment or for the repeal and replacement of or which is inconsistent with any of the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, or of this Article, and
                                    2. a Bill for the amendment or for the repeal and replacement of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 30 or of paragraph (2) of Article 62 which would extend the term of office of the President or the duration of Parliament, as the case may be, to over six years,

                                    shall become law if the number of votes cast in favour thereof amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present), is approved by the People at a Referendum and a certificate is endorsed thereon by the President in accordance with Article 80.

                                    Constitutionality of legislation

                                    84. Bills inconsistent with the Constitution

                                    1. A Bill which is not for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution or for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution, but which is inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution may he placed on the Order Paper of Parliament without complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of Article 82.
                                    2. Where the Cabinet of Ministers has certified that a Bill is intended to be passed by the special majority required by this Article or where the Supreme Court has determined that a Bill requires to be passed by such special majority, such Bill shall become law only if the number of votes cast in favour thereof amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present) and a certificate by the President or the Speaker, as the case may be, is endorsed thereon in accordance with the provisions of Article 80 or 79.
                                    3. Such a Bill when enacted into law shall not, and shall not be deemed to, amend, repeal or replace the Constitution or any provision thereof, and shall not be so interpreted or construed, and may thereafter be repealed by a majority of the votes of the Members present and voting.

                                    CHAPTER XIII. THE REFERENDUM

                                    85. Submission of Bills to People by Referendum

                                    1. The President shall submit to the People by Referendum every Bill or any provision in any Bill which the Cabinet of Ministers has certified as being intended to be submitted to the People by Referendum, or which the Supreme Court has determined as requiring the approval of the People at a Referendum if the number of votes cast in favour of such Bill amounts to not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members (including those not present).
                                    2. [Repealed].
                                    3. Any Bill or any provision in any Bill submitted to the People by Referendum shall be deemed to be approved by the People if approved by an absolute majority of the valid votes cast at such Referendum:

                                    Provided that when the total number of valid votes cast does not exceed two-thirds of the whole number of electors entered in the register of electors, such Bill shall be deemed to be approved only if approved by not less than one-third of the whole number of such electors.

                                    86. Submission of matters of national importance to People by Referendum

                                    The President may, subject to the provisions of Article 85, submit to the People by Referendum any matter which in the opinion of the President is of national importance.

                                    87. Parliament to provide for procedure

                                    1. Every Referendum shall be conducted by the Commissioner of Elections who shall communicate the result thereof to the President.
                                    2. Parliament shall by law provide for all matters relating to the procedure for the submission of Bills and of matters of national importance to the People by Referenda, the register of electors to be used at a Referendum, the creation of offences relating thereto and the punishment therefor, and, all other matters necessary or incidental thereto.

                                    CHAPTER XIV. THE FRANCHISE AND ELECTIONS

                                    88. Right to be an elector

                                    Every person shall, unless disqualified as hereinafter provided, be qualified to be an elector at the election of the President and of the Members of Parliament or to vote at any Referendum:

                                    Provided that no such person shall be entitled to vote unless his name is entered in the appropriate register of electors.

                                    Eligibility for head of state , Eligibility for cabinet , Eligibility for head of government , Restrictions on voting , Eligibility for first chamber

                                    89. Disqualification to be an elector

                                    No person shall be qualified to be an elector at an election of the President, or of the Members of Parliament or to vote at any Referendum, if he is subject to any of the following disqualifications, namely –

                                      if he is not a citizen of Sri Lanka;
                                    Minimum age for first chamber , Minimum age of head of government

                                    Provided that if any person disqualified under this paragraph is granted a free pardon such disqualification shall cease from the date on which the pardon is granted;

                                    1. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted of any offence under section 52(1) or 53 of the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, or of such offence under the law for the time being relating to Referenda or to the election of the President or of Members of Parliament as would correspond to an offence under either of the said two sections;
                                    2. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted of a corrupt practice under the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, or of such offence under the law for the time being relating to Referenda or to the election of the President or of Members of Parliament as would correspond to the said corrupt practice;
                                    3. the last of the dates, if any, being a date after the commencement of the constitution, of a report made by a Judge finding him guilty of any corrupt practice under the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, or under any law for the time being relating to Referenda or to the election of the President or of Members of Parliament;
                                    4. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted or found guilty of bribery under the provisions of the Bribery Act or of any future law as would correspond to the Bribery Act;
                                    1. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted of any offence under the provisions of sections 77 to 82 (both inclusive) of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance or for such offence under any future law as would correspond to any offence under the said sections; or
                                    2. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted of an offence under the provisions of sections 2 and 3 of the Public Bodies (Prevention of Corruption) Ordinance or of such offence under any future law as would correspond to the said offence;
                                    1. the last of the dates, if any, of his being convicted of an illegal practice under the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, or of such offence under the law for the time being relating to Referenda or to the election of the President or of Members of Parliament as would correspond to the said illegal practice;
                                    2. The last of the dates, if any, being a date after the commencement of the Constitution, of a report made by a Judge finding him guilty of any illegal practice under the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, or under any law for the time being relating to Referenda or to the election of the President or of Members of Parliament;
                                    1. the date of his being convicted of any offence under the provisions of sections 188 to 201 (both inclusive) of the Penal Code or for such other offence under any future law as would correspond to any offence under the said sections, or
                                    2. the date of his being convicted of an offence of contempt against, or in disrespect of, the authority of any Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry consisting of such member or members specified in Article 81 by reason of –
                                      1. the failure of such person, without cause which in the opinion of such Commission is reasonable, to appear before such Commission at the time and place mentioned in any summons which such Commission is empowered by law to issue, or
                                      2. the refusal of such person to be sworn or affirmed, or the refusal or failure of such person, without cause which in the opinion of such Commission is reasonable, to answer any question put to such person touching the matters directed to be inquired into by such Commission, or
                                      3. the refusal or failure of such person, without cause which in the opinion of such Commission is reasonable, to produce and show to such Commission any document or thing which is in the possession or power of such person and which in the opinion of such Commission is necessary for arriving at the truth of the matters to be inquired into by such Commission.

                                      Eligibility for head of government , Eligibility for first chamber , Minimum age for first chamber , Minimum age of head of government , Eligibility for cabinet

                                      90. Qualification for election as a Member of Parliament

                                      Every person who is qualified to be an elector shall be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament unless he is disqualified under the provisions of Article 91.

                                      Eligibility for head of government , Eligibility for head of state , Eligibility for first chamber , Outside professions of legislators , Eligibility for cabinet

                                      91. Disqualification for election as a Member of Parliament

                                      1. No person shall be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament or to sit and vote in Parliament –
                                        1. if he is or becomes subject to any of the disqualifications specified in Article 89;
                                        2. if he –
                                          1. stands nominated as a candidate for election for more than one electoral district at a General Election,
                                          2. stands nominated as a candidate for election by more than one recognized political party or independent group in respect of any electoral district,
                                          3. stands nominated as a candidate for election for an electoral district and before the conclusion of the election for that electoral district he stands nominated as a candidate for election for any other electoral district, or
                                          4. being a Member of Parliament, except in the circumstances referred to in Article 70(7) or Article 155(4)(i), stands nominated as a candidate for election for any electoral district;
                                          1. a judicial officer,
                                          2. the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration,
                                          3. the Secretary-General of Parliament or a member of his staff,
                                          4. a member of the Public Service Commission,
                                          5. a member of a Provincial Public Service Commission,
                                          6. a member of the Constitutional Council, referred to in sub-paragraph(e) of paragraph (1) of Article 41A other than any Member of Parliament,
                                          7. a member of any Commission specified in the Schedule to Article 41B,
                                          8. the Commissioner General of Elections,
                                          9. the Auditor-General,
                                          10. a public officer or a member of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service holding any office created prior to November 18, 1970, the initial of the salary scale of which was, on November 18, 1970, not less than Rs. 6,720 per annum, or such other amount per annum as would, under any subsequent revision of salary scales, correspond to such initial,
                                          11. a public officer or a member of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service holding any office created after November 18, 1970, the initial of the salary scale of which is, on the date of the creation of that office, not less than the initial of the salary scale applicable, on that date, to an office referred to in item (vii) or such other amount per annum as would, under any subsequent revision of salary scales, correspond to the first-mentioned initial,
                                          12. an officer of a Provincial Public Service holding any office created after February 01, 1988, the initial of the salary scale of which is, on the date of the creation of that office, not less than such amount as determined by resolution of Parliament, or such other amount per annum as would, under any subsequent revision of such salary scales, correspond to such initial,
                                          13. an officer in any public corporation holding any office created prior to November 18, 1970, the initial of the salary scale of which was, on November 18, 1970, not less than Rs. 7,200 per annum or such other amount per annum as would, under any subsequent revision of salary scales, correspond to such initial,
                                          14. an officer in any public corporation holding any office created after November 18, 1970, the initial of the salary scale of which is, on the date of creation of that office, not less than the initial of the salary scale applicable on that date to an office referred to in item (ix) or such other amount per annum as would, under any subsequent revision of salary scales, correspond to the first mentioned initial,
                                          15. a member of the Regular Force of the Army, Navy or Air Force; or
                                          16. a police officer or a public officer exercising police function;
                                          17. a citizen of Sri Lanka who is also a citizen of any other country;
                                          Eligibility for head of state

                                          92. Disqualification for election as President

                                          Every person who is qualified to be an elector shall be qualified to be elected to the office of President unless he is subject to any of the following disqualifications –

                                          Minimum age of head of state Head of state term limits Referenda , Secret ballot

                                          93. Election to be free, equal and secret

                                          The voting for the election of the President of the Republic and of the Members of Parliament and at any Referendum shall be free, equal and by secret ballot.

                                          Head of state selection

                                          94. Election of the President

                                          1. At the election of the President every voter while casting his vote for any candidate may-
                                            1. where there are three candidates for election, specify his second preference; and
                                            2. where there are more than three candidates for election, specify his second and third preferences.
                                            1. the second preference of each voter whose vote had been for a candidate eliminated from the contest, shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour under paragraph (2), and
                                            2. the third preference of each voter referred to in sub-paragraph (a) whose second preference is not counted under that sub-paragraph shall, if it is for one or the other of the remaining two candidates, be counted as a vote for such candidate and be added to the votes counted in his favour under sub-paragraph (a) and paragraph (2),

                                            and the candidate who receives the majority of the votes so counted shall be declared elected as President.

                                            1. which candidate is to be declared elected under this Article; or
                                            2. which candidate is not to be eliminated under this Article,

                                            then the determination of the candidate to whom such additional vote shall be deemed to have been given for the purpose of such determination shall be made by lot.

                                            Electoral districts

                                            95. Delimitation Commission

                                            1. Within three months of the commencement of the Constitution, the President shall for the delimitation of electoral districts, establish a Delimitation Commission consisting of three persons appointed by him who he is satisfied are not actively engaged in politics. The President shall appoint one of such persons to be the Chairman.
                                            2. If any member of the Delimitation Commission shall die or resign or if the President is satisfied that any such member has become incapable of discharging his functions as such, the President shall, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, appoint another person in his place.

                                            96. Electoral Districts

                                            1. The Delimitation Commission shall divide Sri Lanka into not less than twenty and not more than twenty-five electoral districts, and shall assign names thereto.
                                            2. Each Province of Sri Lanka may itself constitute an electoral district or may be divided into two or more electoral districts.
                                            3. Where a Province is divided into a number of electoral districts the Delimitation Commission shall have regard to the existing administrative districts so as to ensure as far as is practicable that each electoral district shall be an administrative district or a combination of two or more administrative districts or two or more electoral districts together constitute an administrative district.
                                            4. The electoral districts of each Province shall together be entitled to return four members, (independently of the number of members which they are entitled to return by reference to the number of electors whose names appear in the registers of electors of such electoral districts), and the Delimitation Commission shall apportion such entitlement equitably among such electoral districts.
                                            5. In the event of a difference of opinion among the members of the Delimitation Commission, the opinion of the majority thereof shall prevail and shall be deemed to be the decision of the Commission. Where each member of the Commission is of a different opinion, the opinion of the Chairman shall be deemed to be the decision of the Commission. Any dissentient member may state his reasons for such dissent.
                                            6. The Chairman of the Delimitation Commission shall communicate the decisions of the Commission together with the reasons, if any, stated by a dissentient member to the President.
                                            1. [repealed]

                                            97. Proclamation of Names etc. of Electoral Districts

                                            The President shall by Proclamation publish the names and boundaries of the electoral districts and the number of members, which each such electoral district is entitled to return by virtue of the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 96 in accordance with the decision of the Delimitation Commission. The electoral districts specified in the Proclamation shall come into operation at the next ensuing General Election of Members of Parliament and shall thereafter be the electoral districts of Sri Lanka for all the purposes of the Constitution and of any law for the time being in force relating to the election of Members of Parliament.

                                            First chamber selection

                                            98. Number of Members to be returned by the several electoral districts and their apportionment among such electoral districts

                                            1. The several electoral districts shall together be entitled to return one hundred and ninety-six members.
                                            2. The apportionment of the number of members that each electoral district shall be entitled to return shall, in the case of thirty-six members, be determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 96.
                                            3. The apportionment of the number of members that each electoral district shall be entitled to return out of the balance number of one hundred and sixty members shall be determined in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this Article.
                                            4. The total number of electors whose names appear in the registers of electors of all the electoral districts shall be divided by one hundred and sixty. The whole number, resulting from such division (any fraction not being taken into account) is hereinafter referred to as the "qualifying number".
                                            5. The total number of electors whose names appear in the register of electors of each electoral district shall be divided by the qualifying number and each electoral district shall be entitled to return such number of members as is equivalent to the whole number resulting from the division of the total number of such electors in that electoral district by the qualifying number and the balance number of such electors, if any, after such division shall be dealt with, if necessary, in accordance with paragraph (6) of this Article.
                                            6. Where the total number of members to be returned by all the electoral districts ascertained by reference to the qualifying number in accordance with paragraph (5) of this Article is less than one hundred and sixty members, the apportionment of the entitlement among the electoral districts of the balance number of members shall be by reference to the balance number of such electors and in the case of any electoral district not entitled to return a single member according to the determination made under paragraph (5), the total number of electors whose names appear in the register of electors of such electoral district, the electoral district having the highest of such balance number of such electors or such total number of such electors, being entitled to return one more member and so on until the total number of member to be returned number one hundred and sixty.
                                            7. Where in making an apportionment under paragraph (6) of this Article an equality is found to exist between two or more balance number of such electors or two or more total number of such electors or any combination of them and the addition of one such elector would entitle one electoral district to return an additional member, the determination of the electoral district to which one such elector shall be deemed to be added shall be determined by lot.
                                            8. The Commissioner of Elections, as soon as possible after the certification of the registers of electors for all the electoral districts, shall, by Order published in the Gazette, certify the number of members which each electoral district is entitled to return by virtue of the Proclamation under Article 97 and this Article.
                                            9. For the purposes of this Article "the register of electors" means the register of electors for the time being in operation on the basis of which an election is being held.
                                            First chamber selection

                                            99. Proportional representation

                                            1. At any election of Members of Parliament, the total number of members which an electoral district is entitled to return shall be the number specified by the Commissioner of Elections in the Order published in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (8) of Article 98.
                                            2. Every elector at an election of Members of Parliament, shall, in addition to his vote, be entitled to indicate his preferences for not more than three candidates nominated by the same recognized political party or independent group.
                                            3. Any recognized political party, or any group of persons contesting as independent candidates (hereinafter referred to as an "independent group") may for the purpose of any election of Members of Parliament for any electoral district, submit one nomination paper setting out the names of such number of candidates as is equivalent to the number of members to be elected for that electoral district, increased by three.
                                            4. Each elector whose name appears in the register of electors shall be entitled to only one vote notwithstanding that his name appears in the electoral register in more than one electoral district.
                                            5. The recognized political party or independent group which polls the highest number of votes in any electoral district shall be entitled to have the candidate nominated by it, who has secured the highest number of preferences, declared elected.

                                            6

                                            1. Every recognized political party and independent group polling less than one twentieth of the total votes polled at any election in any electoral district shall be disqualified from having any candidates of such party or group being elected for that electoral district.
                                            2. The votes polled by the disqualified parties and independent groups, if any, shall be deducted from the total votes polled at the election in that electoral district and the number of votes resulting from such deduction is hereinafter referred to as the "relevant number of votes."

                                            10

                                            1. Where the number of votes polled by each recognised political party or independent group is less than the resulting number referred to in paragraph (7) of this Article the party or group which has polled the highest number of votes shall be entitled to have the candidate, nominated by that party or group (excluding the candidate declared elected under paragraph (5) of this Article) who has secured the highest number of preferences declared elected and if there are one or more members yet to be declared elected, the party or group having the next highest number of votes polled shall be entitled to have the candidate nominated by that party or group who has secured the highest number of preferences declared elected and so on, until all the members to be elected for that electoral district are declared elected under the provisions of this paragraph.
                                            2. After the determination under paragraph (a) if there are one or more members yet to be declared elected in respect of that electoral district the provisions of that paragraph shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the election of such members.

                                            13

                                            1. Where a Member of Parliament ceases, by resignation, expulsion or otherwise, to be a member of a recognized political party or independent group on whose nomination paper (hereinafter referred to as the "relevant nomination paper") his name appeared at the time of his becoming such Member of Parliament, his seat shall become vacant upon the expiration of a period of one month from the date of his ceasing to be such member:

                                            Provided that in the case of the expulsion of a Member of Parliament his seat shall not become vacant if prior to the expiration of the said period of one month he applies to the Supreme Court by petition in writing, and the Supreme Court upon such application determines that such expulsion was invalid. Such petition shall be inquired into by three Judges of the Supreme Court who shall make their determination within two months of the filing of such petition. Where the Supreme Court determines that the expulsion was valid the vacancy shall occur from the date of such determination.

                                            Replacement of legislators First chamber selection

                                            99A. Election of Members of Parliament on the basis of the total number of votes polled at a General Election

                                            After the one hundred and ninety six members referred to in Article 98 have been declared elected at a General Election of Members of Parliament, the Commissioner of Elections shall forthwith apportion the balance twenty nine seats among the recognized political parties and independent groups contesting such General Election in the same proportion as the proportion which the number of votes polled by each such party or group at such General Election bears to the total number of votes polled at such General Election and for the purposes of such apportionment, the provisions of paragraphs (4), (5), (6) and (7) of Article 98 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply.

                                            Every recognised political party or independent group contesting a General Election shall submit to the Commissioner of Elections within the nomination period specified for such election a list of persons qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament, from which it may nominate persons to fill the seats, if any, which such party or group will be entitled to, on such apportionment. The Commissioner of Elections shall cause every list submitted to him under this Article to be published forthwith in the Gazette and in one Sinhala, Tamil and English newspaper upon the expiry of the nomination period.

                                            Where a recognized political party or independent group is entitled to a seat under the apportionment referred to above, the Commissioner of Elections shall by a notice, require the Secretary of such recognized political party or group leader of such independent group to nominate within one week of such notice, persons qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament (being persons whose names are included in the list submitted to the Commissioner of Elections under this Article or in any nomination paper submitted in respect of any electoral district by such party or group at that election) to fill such seats and shall declare elected as Members of Parliament, the persons so nominated.

                                            The Commissioner of Elections shall before issuing the aforesaid notice determine whether the number of members belonging to any community, ethnic or otherwise, elected to Parliament under Article 98 is commensurate with the national population ratio and request the Secretary of such recognized political party or group leader of such independent group in so nominating persons to be elected as Members of Parliament to ensure as far as practicable, that the representation of all communities is commensurate with its national population ratio.

                                            For the purposes of this Article the number of votes polled at a General Election shall be deemed to be the number of votes actually counted and shall not include any votes rejected as void.

                                            100. Penalty for sitting and voting in Parliament when disqualified

                                            1. having been elected a Member of Parliament but not having been at the time of such election qualified to be so elected, shall sit or vote in Parliament; or
                                            2. shall sit or vote in Parliament after his seat therein has become vacant or he has become disqualified from sitting or voting therein,

                                            knowing or having reasonable grounds for knowing that he was so disqualified or that his seat has become vacant, as the case may be, shall be liable to a penalty of five hundred rupees for every day upon which he so sits or votes to be recovered as a debt due to the Republic by an action instituted by the Attorney-General in the District Court of Colombo.

                                            101. Parliament may make provision in respect of elections

                                            1. The Parliament may by law make provision for-
                                              1. the registration of electors;
                                              2. the prescribing of a qualifying date on which a person should be resident in any electoral district to be entered in the register of electors of that electoral district;
                                              3. the prescribing of a qualifying date on which a person should have attained the age of eighteen years to qualify for the purposes of registration as an elector;
                                              4. the preparation and revision of registers of electors;
                                              5. the procedure for the election of Members of Parliament;
                                              6. the creation of offences relating to such elections and the punishment therefor;
                                              7. the grounds for avoiding such elections, and where an election has been held void the manner of holding fresh elections;
                                              8. the form and manner in which vacancies shall be filled when all the candidates whose names appearing in the nomination paper of a recognized political party or independent group have been exhausted by election or otherwise or where a recognized political party or independent group has been proscribed under Article 157A; and
                                              9. the manner of determination of disputed elections and such other matters as are necessary or incidental to the election of Members of Parliament:

                                              Provided that no such law shall add to the disqualifications specified in Articles 89 and 91.

                                              102. Public officer or an officer of a public corporation not to function during period of election

                                              When a public officer or an officer of a public corporation is a candidate at any election, be shall be deemed to be on leave from the date on which he stands nominated as a candidate until the conclusion of the election. Such a public officer or an officer of a public corporation shall not during such period exercise, perform or discharge any of the powers, duties or functions of his office.

                                              CHAPTER XIVA. ELECTION COMMISSION

                                              Electoral commission

                                              103. Election Commission

                                                There shall be an Election Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) consisting of three members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, from amongst persons who have distinguished themselves in any profession or in the fields of administration or education. One of the members so appointed shall be a retired officer of the Department of Elections, who has held office as a Deputy Commissioner of Elections or above. The President shall on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, appoint one member as its Chairman.

                                              104. Meetings of the Commission

                                              1. The quorum for any meetings of the Commission shall be three members.

                                              2

                                              1. The Chairman of the Commission shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and in the absence of the Chairman from any meeting of the Commission, a member elected by the members present from amongst themselves shall preside at such meeting.
                                              2. Decisions of the Commission shall be by a majority of the members present and voting at the meeting at which the decision is taken, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman or the member presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote.

                                              104A. Finality of decisions and immunity from suit

                                              Subject to the jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court under paragraph (1) of Article 126, Article 104H and Article 130 and on the Court of Appeal by Article 144 and the jurisdiction conferred on any court by any law to hear and determine election petitions or Referendum petitions–

                                              1. no court shall have the power or jurisdiction to entertain or hear or decide or call in question on any ground and in any manner whatsoever, any decision, direction or act of the Commission, made or done or purported to have been made or done under the Constitution or under any law relating to the holding of an election or the conduct of a Referendum as the case may be, which decisions, directions or acts shall be final and conclusive; and
                                              2. no suit or prosecution or other proceeding shall lie against any member or officer of the Commission for any act or thing which in good faith is done or purported to be done by him in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his functions under the Constitution or under any law relating to the holding of an election or the conduct of a Referendum as the case may be.
                                              Electoral commission

                                              104B. Powers, functions and duties of the Commission

                                              1. The Commission shall exercise, perform and discharge all such powers, duties and functions conferred or imposed on or assigned to –
                                                1. the Commission; or
                                                2. the Commissioner-General of Elections,
                                                Municipal government

                                                by the Constitution, and by the law for the time being relating to the election of the President, the election of Members of Parliament, the election of members of Provincial Councils, the election of members of Local Authorities and the conduct of Referenda, including but not limited to all the powers, duties and functions relating to the preparation and revision of registers of electors for the purposes of such elections and Referenda and the conduct of such elections and Referenda.

                                                4

                                                1. The Commission shall have the power during the period of an election, to prohibit the use of any movable or immovable property belonging to the State or any public corporation –
                                                  1. for the purpose of promoting or preventing the election of any candidate or any political party or independent group contesting at such election;
                                                  2. by any candidate or any political party or any independent group contesting at such election,

                                                  by a direction in writing by the Chairman of the Commission or of the Commissioner-General of Elections on the instruction of the Commission.

                                                  5

                                                  Telecommunications , Radio , Television Radio , State operation of the media , Television , Telecommunications
                                                  1. The Commission shall cause the directions and guidelines referred to in paragraphs 4(a) and paragraph 5(a) to be published in at least one newspaper widely circulated, in the Sinhala, Tamil and English languages.
                                                  2. Every direction and guideline shall be published in the Gazette and shall come into operation on the date of such publication or on such later date as may be specified in such direction and guideline.
                                                  3. Every such direction and guideline shall, within three months from the date of publication in the Gazette, be brought before Parliament for approval. Any direction or guideline which is not so approved shall be deemed to be rescinded as from the date of such disapproval, but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.
                                                  Electoral commission

                                                  104C. Deployment of Police by the Commission

                                                  1. Upon the making of an Order for the holding of an election or the making of a Proclamation requiring the conduct of a Referendum, as the case may be, the Commission shall notify the Inspector-General of Police of the facilities and the number of police officers required by the Commission for the holding or conduct of such election or Referendum, as the case may be.
                                                  2. The Inspector-General of Police shall make available to the Commission the facilities and police officers specified in any notification made under paragraph (1) of this Article.
                                                  3. The Commission may deploy the police officers and facilities made available to the Commission in such manner as is calculated to promote the conduct of a free and fair election or referendum, as the case may be.
                                                  4. Every police officer made available to the Commission under paragraph (2) of this Article, shall be responsible to and act under the direction and control of the Commission during the period of an election.
                                                  5. No suit, prosecution or other proceeding, shall lie against any police officer made available to the Commission under this Article for any lawful act or thing in good faith done by such police officer, in pursuance of a direction of the Commission or his functioning under the Commission.
                                                  Electoral commission

                                                  104D. Deployment of Armed Forces

                                                  It shall be lawful for the Commission, upon the making of an Order for the holding of an election or the making of a Proclamation requiring the conduct of a Referendum, as the case may be, to make recommendations to the President regarding the deployment of the armed forces of the Republic for the prevention or control of any actions or incidents which may be prejudicial to the holding or conducting of a free and fair election or Referendum, as the case may be.

                                                  104E. Commissioner-General of Elections and other officers of the Commission

                                                  1. There shall be a Commissioner-General of Elections who shall, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, be appointed by the Commission on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Commission.
                                                  2. The Commissioner-General of Elections shall be entitled to be present at meetings of the Commission, except where any matter relating to him is being considered by the Commission. He shall have no right to vote at such meetings.
                                                  3. The Commission may appoint such other officers to the Commission on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Commission.
                                                  4. The salaries of the Commissioner-General of Elections and the other officers of the Commission, shall be determined by the Commission and shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                                                  5. The Commissioner-General of Elections shall, subject to the direction and control of the Commission, implement the decisions of the Commission and exercise supervision over the officers of the Commission.
                                                  6. The Commission may delegate to the Commissioner-General of Elections or other officer of the Commission, any power, duty or function of the Commission and the Commissioner-General of Elections or such officer shall exercise, perform and discharge such power, duty or function, subject to the direction and control of the Commission.
                                                  7. The office of the Commissioner-General of Elections shall become vacant –
                                                    1. upon his death;
                                                    2. on his resignation in writing addressed to the Commission;
                                                    3. on his attaining the age of Sixty Five years;
                                                    4. on his removal by the Commission on account of ill health or physical or mental infirmity; or
                                                    5. on his removal by the Commission on the presentation of an address of Parliament in compliance with the provisions of paragraph (8), for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

                                                    8

                                                    1. The address referred to in sub-paragraph (e) of paragraph (7) of this Article shall be required to be supported by a majority of the total number of Members of Parliament (including those not present) and no resolution for the presentation of such an address shall be entertained by the Speaker or placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, unless notice of such resolution is signed by not less than one-third of the total number of Members of Parliament and sets out full particulars of the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity.
                                                    2. Parliament shall by law or by Standing Orders, provide for all matters relating to the presentation of such an address, including the procedure for the passing of such resolution, the investigation and proof of the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity and the right of the Commissioner-General of Elections to appear and to be heard in person or by representatives.

                                                    104F. Returning Officers

                                                    1. The Commission shall from time to time by notice published in the Gazette appoint by name or by office a person to be a Returning Officer to each electoral district, and may appoint by name or by office one or more persons to assist the Returning Officer in the performance of his duties.
                                                    2. Every Officer appointed under paragraph (1) shall in the performance and discharge of such duties and functions as are assigned to him, be subject to such directions as may be issued by the Commission and shall be responsible and answerable to the Commission therefor.

                                                    104G. Public officers

                                                    All public officers performing duties and functions at any election or Referenda shall act in the performance and discharge of such duties and functions under the directions of the Commission and shall be responsible and answerable to the Commission therefor.

                                                    104GG. Failure to comply with directions to be an offence

                                                    1. Any public officer, any employee of any public corporation, business or other undertaking vested in the Government under any other written law and any company registered or deemed to be registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, in which the Government or any public corporation or local authority holds fifty per centum or more of the shares of that company, who –
                                                      1. refuses or fails without a reasonable cause to co-operate with the Commission, to secure the enforcement of any law relating to the holding of an election or the conduct of a Referendum; or
                                                      2. fails without a reasonable cause to comply with any directions or guidelines issued by the Commission under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (4) or sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (5), respectively, of Article 104B,

                                                      shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

                                                      104H. Power of Supreme Court to issue writs

                                                      1. The jurisdiction conferred on the Court of Appeal under Article 140 of the Constitution shall, in relation to any matter that may arise in the exercise by the Commission of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution or by any other law, be exercised by the Supreme Court.
                                                      2. Every application invoking the jurisdiction referred to in paragraph (1), shall be made within one month of the date of the commission of the act to which the application relates. The Supreme Court shall hear and finally dispose of the application within two months of the filing of the same.

                                                      104J. Interpretation

                                                      In this Chapter “during the period of an election” shall mean the period commencing on the making of a Proclamation or Order for the conduct of a Referendum or for the holding of an election, as the case may be, and ending on the date on which the result of poll taken at such Referendum or election, as the case may be, is declared.

                                                      CHAPTER XV. THE JUDICIARY

                                                      Structure of the courts

                                                      105. Establishment of Courts etc

                                                      1. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the institutions for the administration of justice which protect, vindicate and enforce the rights of the People shall be-
                                                        1. the Supreme Court of the Republic of Sri Lanka,
                                                        2. the Court of Appeal of the Republic of Sri Lanka,
                                                        3. the High Court of the Republic of Sri Lanka and such other Courts of First Instance, tribunals or such institutions as Parliament may from time to time ordain and establish.

                                                        Provided that the preceding provisions of this Article shall not prejudice or affect the rights now or hereafter vested by any law in such other court, tribunal or institution to punish for contempt of itself.

                                                        1. for the appointment, transfer, dismissal and disciplinary control of the member or members of such courts, tribunals or institutions by the President or by such other person or body of persons as may be provided for in such law;
                                                        2. for the exclusion of the jurisdiction of any other institution referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article in relation to such matters and disputes.

                                                        In this paragraph the expressions "bhikku" and "temple" shall have the same meanings as in the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, as at the commencement of the Constitution.

                                                        Right to public trial

                                                        106. Public sittings

                                                        1. The sittings of every court, tribunal or other institution established under the Constitution or ordained and established by Parliament shall subject to the provisions of the Constitution be held in public, and all persons shall be entitled freely to attend such sittings.
                                                        2. A judge or presiding officer of any such court, tribunal or other institution may, in his discretion, whenever he considers it desirable-
                                                          1. in proceedings relating to family relations,
                                                          2. in proceedings relating to sexual matters,
                                                          3. in the interests of national security or public safety, or
                                                          4. in the interests of order and security within the precincts of such court, tribunal or other institution.

                                                          exclude therefrom such persons as are not directly interested in the proceedings therein.

                                                          Independence of the Judiciary

                                                          107. Appointment and removal of Judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal

                                                          Ordinary court selection , Supreme court selection Supreme court term length , Supreme/ordinary court judge removal , Ordinary court term length

                                                          Every such Judge shall hold office during good behaviour and shall not be removed except by an order of the President made after an address of Parliament supported by a majority of the total number of Members of Parliament (including those not present) has been presented to the President for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity:

                                                          Provided that no resolution for the presentation of such an address shall be entertained by the Speaker or placed on the Order Paper of Parliament, unless notice of such resolution is signed by not less than one-third of the total number of Members of Parliament and sets out full particulars of the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity.

                                                          Oaths to abide by constitution Mandatory retirement age for judges

                                                          108. Salaries of Judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal

                                                            The salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal shall be determined by Parliament and shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                                                          Protection of judges' salaries

                                                          109. Acting appointments

                                                          1. If the Chief Justice or the President of the Court of Appeal is temporarily unable to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of his office, by reason of illness, absence from Sri Lanka or any other cause, the President shall, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, appoint another Judge of the Supreme Court, or of the Court of Appeal, as the case may be, to act in the office of Chief Justice, or President of the Court of Appeal, during such period.
                                                          2. If any Judge of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeal is temporarily unable to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions of his office, by reason of illness, absence from Sri Lanka or any other cause, the President may, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, appoint another Judge to act as a Judge of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal, during such period.

                                                          110. Performance or discharge of other duties or functions by judges

                                                          1. A Judge of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal may be required by the President of the Republic to perform or discharge any other appropriate duties or functions under any written law.
                                                          2. No Judge of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeal shall perform any other office (whether paid or not) or accept any place of profit or emolument, except as authorized by the Constitution or by written law or with the written consent of the President.
                                                          3. No person who has held office as a permanent Judge of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeal may appear, plead, act or practise in any court, tribunal or institution as an Attorney-at-law at any time without the written consent of the President.

                                                          111. Appointment, removal and disciplinary control of Judges of the High Court

                                                            There shall be a High Court of Sri Lanka, which shall exercise such jurisdiction and powers as Parliament may by law vest or ordain.
                                                          Establishment of judicial council Ordinary court selection Supreme/ordinary court judge removal Mandatory retirement age for judges

                                                          111A. Commissioners of the High Court

                                                          1. Where the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice represents to the President that it is expedient that the number of the Judges exercising the jurisdiction and powers of the High Court in any judicial zone should be temporarily increased the President may, on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, by warrant, appoint, one or more Commissioners of the High Court to exercise the jurisdiction and powers of the High Court within such judicial zone as is specified in the warrant of appointment of such Commissioner of the High Court.
                                                          2. Every Commissioner of the High Court appointed under paragraph (1) shall hold office for the period specified in his warrant of appointment and shall be removable, and be subject to disciplinary control, by the President, on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
                                                          3. Every Commissioner of the High Court appointed under paragraph (1) may, during his tenure of office, exercise, according to law, such jurisdiction and powers as is, or are, vested or ordained in the High Court by Parliament and shall be invested with all the rights, powers privileges and immunities (except such rights and privileges as relate to tenure of office) of a Judge of the High Court, and for this purpose, a reference to a “Judge of the High Court” in the Constitution or other written law shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to a “Commissioner of the High Court”.

                                                          111B. Fiscal for the whole island

                                                          There shall be a Fiscal, who shall be the Fiscal for the whole Island and who shall exercise supervision and control over Deputy Fiscals attached to all Courts of First Instance.

                                                          Judicial independence

                                                          111C. Interference with judiciary an offence

                                                            Every judge, presiding officer, public officer or other person entrusted by law with judicial powers or functions or with functions under this Chapter or with similar functions under any law enacted by Parliament shall exercise and perform such powers and functions without being subject to any direction or other interference proceeding from any other person except a superior court, tribunal, institution or other person entitled under law to direct or supervise such judge, presiding officer, public officer or such other person in the exercise or performance of such powers or functions.
                                                          Jury trials required Establishment of judicial council

                                                          CHAPTER XVA. JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

                                                          111D. Constitution of the Judicial Service Commission

                                                          1. There shall be a Judicial Service Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) consisting of the Chief Justice and the two most senior Judges of the Supreme Court appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council.
                                                          2. Where the Chief Justice and the two most Senior Judges of the Supreme Court are Judges who have not had any judicial experience serving as a Judge of a Court of First Instance, the Commission shall consist of the Chief Justice, the senior most Judge of the Supreme Court and the next most senior Judge of such Court, who has had experience as a Judge of a Court of First Instance.
                                                          3. The Chief Justice shall be the Chairman of the Commission.

                                                          111E. Meetings of the Commission

                                                          1. The quorum for any meeting of the Commission shall be two members of the Commission.
                                                          2. A Judge of the Supreme Court appointed as a member of the Commission shall, unless he earlier resigns his office or is removed therefrom as hereinafter provided or ceases to be a Judge of the Supreme Court, hold office for a period of three years from the date of his appointment, but shall be eligible for re-appointment.
                                                          3. All decisions of the Commission shall be made by a majority of the members present, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
                                                          4. The Commission shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership and no act or proceeding of the Commission shall be, or be deemed to be invalid by reason only of such vacancy or any defect in the appointment of a member.
                                                          5. The President may grant to any member of the Commission leave from duties and may appoint subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, a person qualified to be a member of the Commission to be a temporary member for the period of such leave.
                                                          6. The President may, with the approval of the Constitutional Council, and for cause assigned, remove from office any member of the Commission.

                                                          111F. Allowances of members of the Commission

                                                          A member of the Commission shall be paid such allowances as may be determined by Parliament. Such allowances shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund and shall not be reduced during the period of office of a member and shall be in addition to the salary and other allowances attached to and received from, the substantive appointment:

                                                          Provided that until the amount to be paid as allowances is determined under the provisions of this Article, the members of the Commission shall continue to receive as allowances, such amount as they were receiving on the day immediately preceding the date on which this Chapter comes into operation.

                                                          111G. Secretary to the Commission

                                                          There shall be a Secretary to the Commission who shall be appointed by the Commission from among senior judicial officers of the Courts of First Instance.

                                                          111H. Powers of the Commission

                                                          1. The Judicial Service Commission is hereby vested with the Power to
                                                            1. transfer judges of the High Court;
                                                            2. appoint, promote, transfer, exercise disciplinary control and dismiss judicial officers and scheduled public officers.
                                                            1. rules regarding training of Judges of the High Court, the schemes for recruitment and training, appointment, promotion and transfer of judicial officers and scheduled public officers;
                                                            2. provision for such matters as are necessary or expedient for the exercise, performance and discharge of the powers, duties and functions of the Commission.

                                                            111J. Judicial officers and scheduled public officers may resign

                                                            Any judicial officer or scheduled public officer may resign his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Chairman of the Commission.

                                                            111K. Immunity from legal proceedings

                                                            No suit or proceeding shall lie against the Chairman, Member or Secretary or Officer of the Commission for any lawful act which in good faith is done in the performance of his duties or functions as such Chairman, Member, Secretary or Officer of the Commission.

                                                            111L. Interference with the Commission and offence

                                                            1. Every person who otherwise than in the course of such persons lawful duty, directly or indirectly, alone or by or with any other person, in any manner whatsoever, influences or attempts to influence any decision or order made by the Commission or to so influence any member thereof, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment:

                                                            Provided however that the giving of a certificate or testimonial to any applicant or candidate for any judicial office or scheduled public office shall not be an offence.

                                                            111M. Interpretation

                                                            1. In this Chapter –
                                                            2. “Appointment” includes the appointment to act in any office referred to in this Chapter.

                                                            “Judicial officer” means any person who holds office as judge, presiding officer or member of any Court of First Instance, tribunal or institution created and established for the administration of Justice or for the adjudication of any labour or other dispute, but does not include a Judge of the Supreme Court or of the Court of Appeal or of the High Court or a person who performs arbitral functions or a public officer whose principal duty is not the performance of functions of a judicial nature; and

                                                            “Scheduled public officer” means the Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Registrar of the Court of Appeal, the Registrar, Deputy Registrar or Assistant Registrar of the High Court or any Court of First Instance, the Fiscal, the Deputy Fiscal of the Court of Appeal or High Court and any Court of First Instance, any public officer employed in the Registry of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or High Court or any Court of First Instance included in a category specified in the Fifth Schedule or such other categories as may be specified by Order made by the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice and approved by Parliament and published in the Gazette.

                                                            1. [Repealed]
                                                            2. [Repealed]
                                                            3. [Repealed]
                                                            4. [Repealed]
                                                            5. [Repealed]
                                                            6. [Renumbered as Article 111C]
                                                            7. [Repealed]

                                                            CHAPTER XVI. THE SUPERIOR COURTS

                                                            The Supreme Court

                                                            Supreme court powers , Structure of the courts

                                                            118. General jurisdiction of Supreme Court

                                                            The Supreme Court of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be the highest and final superior Court of record in the Republic and shall subject to the provisions of the Constitution exercise –

                                                            Constitutional interpretation

                                                            119. Constitution of Supreme Court

                                                            Number of supreme court judges Constitutional interpretation , Referenda , Constitutionality of legislation

                                                            120. Constitutional Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

                                                            The Supreme Court shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question as to whether any Bill or any provision thereof is inconsistent with the Constitution:

                                                            1. in the case of a Bill described in its long title as being for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution, or for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution, the only question which the Supreme Court may determine is whether such Bill requires approval by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83;
                                                            2. where the Cabinet of Ministers certifies that a Bill which is described in its long title as being for the amendment of any provisions of the Constitution, or for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution, intended to be passed with the special majority required by Article 83 and submitted to the People by Referendum, the Supreme Court shall have and exercise no jurisdiction in respect of such Bill;
                                                            3. where the Cabinet of Ministers certifies that any provision of any Bill which is not described in its long title as being for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution, or for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution is intended to be passed with the special majority required by Article 84, the only question which the Supreme Court may determine is whether such Bill requires approval by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83 or whether such Bill is required to comply with paragraphs (1) and (2) Of Article 82; or
                                                            4. where the Cabinet of Ministers certifies that any provision of any Bill which is not described in its long title as being for the amendment of any provision of the Constitution or for the repeal and replacement of the Constitution is intended to be passed with the special majority required by Article 84, the only question which the Supreme Court may determine is whether any other provision of such Bill requires to be passed with the special majority required by Article 84 or whether any provision of such Bill requires the approval by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83 or whether such Bill is required to comply with the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 82.
                                                            Constitutionality of legislation

                                                            121. Ordinary exercise of constitutional jurisdiction in respect of Bills

                                                            1. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to ordinarily determine any such question as aforesaid may be invoked by the President by a written reference addressed to the Chief Justice, or by any citizen by a petition in writing addressed to the Supreme Court. Such reference shall be made, or such petition shall be filed, within one week of the Bill being placed on the Order Paper of the Parliament, and a copy thereof shall at the same time be delivered to the Speaker. In this paragraph "citizen " includes a body, whether incorporated or unincorporated, if not less than three-fourths of the members of such body are citizens.
                                                            2. Where the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court has been so invoked no proceedings shall be had in Parliament in relation to such Bill until the determination of the Supreme Court has been made, or the expiration of a period of three weeks from the date of such reference or petition, whichever occurs first.
                                                            3. The Supreme Court shall make and communicate its determination to the President and to the Speaker within three weeks of the making of the reference or the filing of the petition, as the case may be.
                                                            1. [Repealed].
                                                            Supreme court opinions , Constitutionality of legislation , Constitutional interpretation

                                                            123. Determination of Supreme Court in respect of Bills

                                                            1. The determination of the Supreme Court shall be accompanied by the reasons therefor, and shall state whether the Bill or any provision thereof is inconsistent with the Constitution and if so, which provision or provisions of the Constitution.
                                                            2. Where the Supreme Court determined that the Bill or any provision thereof is inconsistent with the Constitution, it shall also state-
                                                              1. whether such Bill is required to comply with the Provisions Of paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article 82; or
                                                              2. whether such Bill or any provision thereof may only be passed by the special majority required under the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 84; or
                                                              3. whether such Bill or any provision thereof requires to be passed by the special majority required under the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 84 and approved by the People at a Referendum by virtue of the provisions of Article 83,

                                                              and may specify the nature of the amendments which would make the Bill or such provision cease to be inconsistent.

                                                              Provided that it shall be lawful for such Bill to be passed after, such amendment as would make the Bill cease to be inconsistent with the Constitution.

                                                              124. Validity of Bills and legislative process not to be questioned

                                                              Save as otherwise provided in Articles 120 and 121, no court or tribunal created and established for the administration of justice, or other institution, person or body of persons shall in relation to any Bill, have power or jurisdiction to inquire into, or pronounce upon, the constitutionality of such Bill or its due compliance with the legislative process, on any ground whatsoever.

                                                              Constitutionality of legislation , Constitutional interpretation

                                                              125. Constitutional jurisdiction in the interpretation of the Constitution

                                                              1. The Supreme Court shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question relating to the interpretation of the Constitution, and accordingly, whenever any such question arises in the course of any proceeding in any other court or tribunal or other institution empowered by law to administer justice or to exercise judicial or quasi-judicial functions, such question shall forthwith be referred to the Supreme Court for determination. The Supreme Court may direct that further proceedings be stayed pending the determination of such question.
                                                              2. The Supreme Court shall determine such question within two months of the date of reference and make any such consequential order as the circumstances of the case may require.

                                                              126. Fundamental rights jurisdiction and its exercise

                                                              1. The Supreme Court shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question relating to the infringement or imminent infringement by executive or administrative action of any fundamental right or language right declared and recognized by Chapter III or Chapter IV.
                                                              2. Where any person alleges that any such fundamental right or language right relating to such person has been infringed or is about to be infringed by executive or administrative action, he may himself or by an attorney-at-law on his behalf, within one month thereof, in accordance with such rules of court as may be in force, apply to the Supreme Court by way of petition in writing addressed to such Court praying for relief or redress in respect of such infringement. Such application may be proceeded with only with leave to proceed first had and obtained from the Supreme Court, which leave may be granted or refused, as the case may be, by not less than two Judges.
                                                              3. Where in the course of hearing in the Court of Appeal into an application for orders in the nature of a writ of habeas corpus, certiorari, prohibition, procedendo, mandamus or quo warranto, it appears to such Court that there is prima facie evidence of an infringement or imminent infringement of the provisions of Chapter III or Chapter IV by a party to such application, such Court shall forthwith refer such matter for determination by the Supreme Court.
                                                              4. The Supreme Court shall have power to grant such relief or make such directions as it may deem just and equitable in the circumstance in respect of any petition or reference referred to in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Article or refer the matter back to the Court of Appeal if in its opinion there is no infringement of a fundament right or language right.
                                                              5. The Supreme Court shall hear and finally dispose of any petition or reference under this Article within two months of the filing of such petition or the making of such reference.
                                                              Right to appeal judicial decisions

                                                              127. Appellate jurisdiction

                                                              1. The Supreme Court shall, subject to the Constitution, be the final Court of civil and criminal appellate jurisdiction for and within the Republic of Sri Lanka for the correction of all errors in fact or in law which shall be committed by the Court of Appeal or any Court of First Instance, tribunal or other institution and the judgments and orders of the Supreme Court shall in all cases be final and conclusive in all such matters.
                                                              2. The Supreme Court shall, in the exercise of its jurisdiction, have sole and exclusive cognizance by way of appeal from any order, judgment, decree, or sentence made by the Court of Appeal, where any appeal lies in law to the Supreme Court and it may affirm, reverse or vary any such order, judgment, decree or sentence of the Court of Appeal and may issue such directions to any Court of First Instance or order a new trial or further hearing in any proceedings as the justice of the case may require, and may also call for and admit fresh or additional evidence if the interests of justice so demands and may in such event, direct that such evidence be recorded by the Court of Appeal or any Court of First Instance.
                                                              Right to appeal judicial decisions

                                                              128. Right of appeal

                                                              1. An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any final order, Judgment, decree or sentence of the Court of Appeal in any matter or proceedings, whether civil or criminal, which involves a substantial question of law, if the Court of Appeal grants leave to appeal to the Supreme Court ex mero motu or, at the instance of any aggrieved party to such matter or proceedings;
                                                              2. The Supreme Court may, in its discretion, grant special leave to appeal to the Supreme Court from any final or interlocutory order, judgment, decree, or sentence made by the Court of Appeal in any matter or proceedings, whether civil or criminal, where the Court of Appeal has refused to grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, or where in the opinion of the Supreme Court, the case or matter is fit for, review by the Supreme Court:

                                                              Provided that the Supreme Court shall grant leave to appeal in every matter or proceedings in which it is satisfied that the question to be decided is of public or general importance.

                                                              129. Consultative jurisdiction

                                                              1. If at any time it appears to the President of the Republic that a question of law or fact has arisen or is likely to arise which is of such nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon it, he may refer that question to that Court for consideration and the Court may, after such hearing as it thinks fit, within the period specified in such reference or within such time as may be extended by the President, report to the President its opinion thereon.
                                                              2. Where the Speaker refers to the Supreme Court for inquiry and report all or any of the allegation or allegations, as the case may be, contained in any such resolution as is referred in Article 38 (2) (a), the Supreme Court shall in accordance with Article 38 (2) (d) inquire into such allegation or allegations and shall report its determination to the Speaker within two months of the date of reference.
                                                              3. Such opinion, determination and report shall be expressed after consideration by at least five Judges of the Supreme Court, of whom, unless he otherwise directs, the Chief Justice shall be one.
                                                              4. Every proceeding under paragraph (1) of this Article shall be held in private unless the Court for special reasons otherwise directs.

                                                              130. Jurisdiction in election and referendum petitions

                                                              The Supreme Court shall have the power to hear and determine and make such orders as provided for by law on –

                                                              1. any legal proceeding relating to election of the President or the validity of a referendum.
                                                              2. any appeal from an order or judgment of the Court of Appeal in an election petition case:

                                                              Provided that the hearing and determination of a proceeding relating to the election of the President or the validity of a referendum shall be by at least five Judges of the Supreme Court of whom, unless he otherwise directs, the Chief Justice shall be one.

                                                              Supreme court powers

                                                              131. Jurisdiction in respect of the breaches of Parliamentary privileges

                                                              The Supreme Court shall have according to law the power to take cognizance of and punish any person for the breach of the privileges of Parliament.

                                                              132. Sittings of the Supreme Court

                                                              1. The several jurisdictions of the Supreme Court shall be ordinarily exercised at Colombo unless the Chief Justice otherwise directs.
                                                              2. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be exercised in different matters at the same time by the several Judges of that Court sitting apart:

                                                              Provided that its jurisdiction shall, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, be ordinarily exercised at all times by not less than three Judges of the Court sitting together as the Supreme Court.

                                                              1. of his own motion; or
                                                              2. at the request of two or more Judges hearing any matter; or
                                                              3. on the application of a party to any appeal, proceeding or matter if the question involved is in the opinion of the Chief Justice one of general and public importance, direct that such appeal, proceeding or matter be heard by a Bench comprising five or more Judges of the Supreme Court.

                                                              133. Appointment of ad hoc Judges

                                                              1. If at any time there should not be a quorum of the Judges of the Supreme Court available to hold or continue any sittings of the Court, the Chief Justice may with the previous consent of the President request in writing the attendance at the sittings of the Court as an ad hoc Judge, for such period as may be necessary, of the President of the Court of Appeal or any Judge of the Court of Appeal.
                                                              2. It shall be the duty of such a Judge who had been so requested, in priority to other duties of his office, to attend the sittings of the Supreme Court at the time and for the period for which his attendance is required, and while so attending he shall have all the jurisdictions, powers and privileges, and shall perform the duties, of a Judge of the Supreme Court:

                                                              134. Right to be heard by the Supreme Court

                                                              1. The Attorney-General shall be noticed and have the right to be heard in all proceedings in the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction under Articles 120, 121, 125, 126, 129 (1) and 131.
                                                              2. Any party to any proceedings in the Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction shall have the right to be heard in such proceedings either in person or by representation by an attorney-at-law.
                                                              3. The Supreme Court may in its discretion grant to any other person or his legal representative such hearing as may appear to the Court to be necessary in the exercise of its jurisdiction under this Chapter.

                                                              135. Registry of the Supreme Court and office of Registrar

                                                              The Registry of the Supreme Court shall be in charge of an officer designated the Registrar of the Supreme Court who shall be subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Chief Justice.

                                                              136. Rules of the Supreme Court

                                                              1. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and of any law the Chief Justice with any three Judges of the Supreme Court nominated by him, may, from time to time, make rules regulating generally the practice and procedure of the Court including –
                                                                1. rules as to the procedure for hearing appeals and other matters pertaining to appeals including the terms under which appeals to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal are to be entertained and provision for the dismissal of such appeals for non-compliance with such rules;
                                                                2. rules as to the proceedings in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in the exercise of the several jurisdictions conferred on such Courts by the Constitution or by any law, including the time within which such matters may be instituted or brought before such Courts and the dismissal of such matters for non-compliance with such rules;
                                                                Right to pre-trial release

                                                                The Court of Appeal

                                                                137. The Court of Appeal

                                                                The Court of Appeal shall consist of the President of the Court of Appeal and not less than six and not more than eleven other Judges who shall be appointed as provided in Article 107.

                                                                Structure of the courts , Right to appeal judicial decisions

                                                                138. Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal

                                                                1. The Court of Appeal shall have and exercise subject to the provisions of the Constitution or of any law, an appellate jurisdiction for the correction of all errors in fact or in law which shall be committed by the High Court, in the exercise of its appellate or original jurisdiction or by any Court of First Instance, tribunal or other institution and sole and exclusive cognizance, by way of appeal, revision and restitutio in integrum, of all causes, suits, actions, prosecutions, matters and things of which such High Court, Court of First Instance tribunal or other institution may have taken cognizance:

                                                                Provided that no judgment, decree or order of any court shall be reversed or varied on account of any error, defect or irregularity, which has not prejudiced the substantial rights of the parties or occasioned a failure of justice.

                                                                Right to appeal judicial decisions

                                                                139. Powers in appeal

                                                                1. The Court of Appeal may in the exercise of its jurisdiction, affirm, reverse, correct or modify any order, judgment, decree or sentence according to law or it may give directions to such Court of First Instance, tribunal or other institution or order a new trial or further hearing upon such terms as the Court of Appeal shall think fit.
                                                                2. The Court of Appeal may further receive and admit new evidence additional to, or supplementary of, the evidence already taken in the Court of First Instance touching the matters at issue in any original case, suit, prosecution or action, as the justice of the case may require.

                                                                140. Power to issue writs, other than writs of habeas corpus

                                                                Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the Court of Appeal shall have full power and authority to inspect and examine the records of any Court of First Instance or tribunal or other institution, and grant and issue, according to law, orders in the nature of writs of certiorari, prohibition, procedendo, mandamus and quo warranto against the judge of any Court of First Instance or tribunal or other institution or any other person:

                                                                Provided that Parliament may by law provide that in any such category of cases as may be specified in such law, the jurisdiction conferred on the Court of Appeal by the preceding provisions of this Article shall be exercised by the Supreme Court and not by the Court of Appeal.

                                                                Protection from unjustified restraint

                                                                141. Power to issue writs of habeas corpus

                                                                The Court of Appeal may grant and issue orders in the nature of writs of habeas corpus to bring up before such Court-

                                                                1. the body of any person to be dealt with according to law; or
                                                                2. the body of any person illegally or improperly detained in public or private custody,

                                                                and to discharge or remand any person so brought up or otherwise deal with such person according to law:

                                                                Provided that it shall be lawful for the Court of Appeal to require the body of such person to be brought up before the most convenient Court of First Instance and to direct the judge of such court to inquire into and report upon the acts of the alleged imprisonment or detention and to make such provision for the interim custody of the body produced as to such court shall seem right; and the Court of Appeal shall upon the receipt of such report, make order to discharge or remand the person so alleged to be imprisoned or detained or otherwise deal with such person according to law, and the Court of First Instance shall conform to, and carry into immediate effect, the order so pronounced or made by the Court of Appeal:

                                                                Provided further that if provision be made by law for the exercise by any court, of jurisdiction in respect of the custody and control of minor children, then the Court of Appeal, if satisfied that any dispute regarding the custody of any such minor child may more properly be dealt with by such court, direct the parties to make application in that court in respect of the custody of such minor child.

                                                                142. Power to bring up and remove prisoners

                                                                The Court of Appeal may direct-

                                                                1. that a prisoner detained in any prison be brought before a court-martial of any Commissioners acting under the authority of any Commission from the President of the Republic for trial or to be examined relating to any matters pending before any such court-martial or Commissioners respectively; or
                                                                2. that a prisoner detained in prison be removed from one custody to another for purposes of trial.

                                                                143. Power to grant injunctions

                                                                The Court of Appeal shall have the power to grant and issue injunctions to prevent any irremediable mischief which might ensure before a party making an application for such injunction could prevent the same by bringing an action in any Court of First Instance:

                                                                Provided that it shall not be lawful for the Court of Appeal to grant an injunction to prevent a party to any action in any court from appealing to or prosecuting an appeal to the Court of Appeal or to prevent any party to any action in any court from insisting upon any ground of action, defence or appeal, or to prevent any person from suing or prosecuting in any court, except where such person has instituted two separate actions in two different courts for and in respect of the same cause of action, in which case the Court of Appeal shall have the power to intervene by restraining him from prosecuting one or other of such actions as to it may seem fit.

                                                                144. Parliamentary election petitions

                                                                The Court of Appeal shall have and exercise jurisdiction to try election petitions in respect of the election to the membership of Parliament in terms of any law for the time being applicable in that behalf.

                                                                145. Inspection of records

                                                                The Court of Appeal may, ex mero motu or on any application made, call for, inspect and examine any record of any Court of First Instance and in the exercise of its revisionary powers may make any order thereon as the interests of justice may require.

                                                                146. Sittings of the Court of Appeal

                                                                1. The Court of Appeal shall ordinarily exercise its jurisdiction at Colombo:

                                                                Provided however that the Chief Justice may from time to time when he deems it so expedient direct that the Court of Appeal shall hold its sittings and exercise its jurisdiction in any judicial zone or district, specified in the direction.

                                                                1. its jurisdiction in respect of-
                                                                  1. judgments and orders of the High Court pronounced at a trial at Bar, shall be exercised by at least three Judges of the Court; and
                                                                  2. other judgments and orders of the High Court, shall be exercised by at least two Judges of the Court;

                                                                  147. Registry of the Court of Appeal and office of Registrar

                                                                  The Registry of the Court of Appeal shall be in charge of an Officer designated as the Registrar of the Court of Appeal who shall be subject to the supervision, direction and control of the President of the Court of Appeal.

                                                                  CHAPTER XVII. FINANCE

                                                                  Subsidiary unit government , Municipal government

                                                                  148. Control of Parliament over public finance

                                                                  Parliament shall have full control over public finance. No tax, rate or any other levy shall be imposed by any local authority or any other public authority, except by or under the authority of a law passed by Parliament or of any existing law.

                                                                  149. Consolidated Fund

                                                                  1. The funds of the Republic not allocated by law to specific purposes shall form one Consolidated Fund into which shall be paid the produce of all taxes, imposts, rates and duties and all other revenues and receipts of the Republic not allocated to specific purposes.
                                                                  2. The interest on the public debt, sinking fund payments, the costs, charges and expenses incidental to the collection, management and receipt of the Consolidated Fund and such other expenditure as Parliament may determine shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.

                                                                  150. Withdrawals of sums from Consolidated Fund

                                                                  1. Save as otherwise expressly provided in paragraphs (3) and (4) of this Article, no sum shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund except under the authority of a warrant under the hand of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance.
                                                                  2. No such warrant shall be issued unless the sum has by resolution of Parliament or by any law been granted for specified public services for the financial year during which the withdrawal is to take place or is otherwise lawfully, charged on the Consolidated Fund.
                                                                  3. Where the President dissolves Parliament before the Appropriation Bill for the financial year has passed into law, he may, unless Parliament shall have already made provision, authorize the issue from the Consolidated Fund and the expenditure of such sums as he may consider necessary for the public services until the expiry of a period of three months from the date on which the new Parliament is summoned to meet.
                                                                  4. Where the President dissolves Parliament and fixes a date or dates for a General Election the President may, unless Parliament has already made provision in that behalf, authorize the issue from the Consolidated Fund and the expenditure of such sums as he may, after consultation with the Commissioner of Elections, consider necessary for such elections.

                                                                  151. Contingencies Fund

                                                                  1. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Article 149, Parliament may by law create a Contingencies Fund for the purpose of providing for urgent and unforeseen expenditure.
                                                                  2. The Minister in charge of the subject of Finance, if satisfied –
                                                                    1. that there is need for any such expenditure, and
                                                                    2. that no provision for such expenditure exists,

                                                                    may, with the consent of the President, authorize provision to be made therefor by an advance from the Contingencies Fund.

                                                                    Tax bills , Spending bills

                                                                    152. Special provisions as to Bill affecting public revenue

                                                                    No Bill or motion, authorizing the disposal of, or the imposition of charges upon, the Consolidated Fund or other funds of the Republic, or the imposition of any tax or the repeal, augmentation or reduction of any tax for the time being in force shall be introduced in Parliament except by a Minister, and unless such Bill or motion has been approved either by the Cabinet of Ministers or in such manner as the Cabinet of Ministers may authorize.

                                                                    153. Auditor-General

                                                                    1. There shall be an Auditor-General who shall be a qualified Auditor, and subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, be appointed by the President and shall hold office during good behaviour.
                                                                    2. The salary of the Auditor-General shall be determined by Parliament, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund and shall not be diminished during his term of office.
                                                                    3. The office of the Auditor-General shall become vacant –
                                                                      1. upon his death;
                                                                      2. on his resignation in writing addressed to the President;
                                                                      3. on his attaining the age of sixty years;
                                                                      4. on his removal by the President on account of ill health or physical or mental infirmity; or
                                                                      5. on his removal by the President upon an address of Parliament.

                                                                      153A. Constitution of the Audit Service Commission

                                                                      1. There shall be an Audit Service Commission (in this Chapter referred to as “Commission”), which shall consist of the Auditor-General who shall be the Chairman of the Commission, and the following members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council:-
                                                                        1. two retired officers of the Auditor-General’s Department, who have held office as a Deputy Auditor-General or above;
                                                                        2. a retired judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or the High Court of Sri Lanka; and
                                                                        3. a retired Class I officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.

                                                                        2

                                                                        1. A person appointed as a member of the Commission shall hold office for three years, unless he,–
                                                                          1. earlier resigns from his office, by letter addressed to the President;
                                                                          2. is removed from office as hereinafter provided; or
                                                                          3. becomes a Member of Parliament or a member of a Provincial Council or any local authority.

                                                                          153B. Meeting of the Commission

                                                                          1. The quorum for any meeting of the Commission shall be three members of the Commission.
                                                                          2. Parliament shall, subject to paragraph (1), provide by law for meetings of the Commission, the establishment of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service and such other matters connected with and incidental thereto.

                                                                          153C. Powers and Functions of the Commission

                                                                          1. The power of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of the members belonging to the Sri Lanka State Audit Service, shall be vested in the Commission.
                                                                          2. The Commission shall also exercise, perform and discharge the following powers, duties and functions:-
                                                                            1. make rules pertaining to schemes of recruitment, the appointment, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of the members belonging to the Sri Lanka State Audit Service, subject to any policy determined by the Cabinet of Ministers pertaining to the same;
                                                                            2. prepare annual estimates of the National Audit Office established by law; and
                                                                            3. exercise, perform and discharge such other powers, duties and functions as may be provided for by law.

                                                                            153D. Influencing or attempting to influence decision of the Commission or any officer of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service, to be an offence

                                                                            1. A person who otherwise than in the course of his duty, directly or indirectly, by himself or through any other person, in any manner whatsoever, influences or attempts to influence any decision of the Commission, any member thereof or any officer of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
                                                                            2. Every High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter referred to in paragraph (1).

                                                                            153E. Immunity from legal proceedings

                                                                            Subject to the jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court under Article 126 and to the powers granted to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under Article 153G, no court or tribunal shall have the power or jurisdiction to inquire into, pronounce upon or in any manner whatsoever call in question any order or decision made by the Commission, in pursuance of any function assigned on such Commission under this Chapter or under any law.

                                                                            153F. Costs and expenses

                                                                            The costs and expenses of the Commission shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund.

                                                                            153G. Appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal

                                                                            Any officer of the Sri Lanka State Audit Service who is aggrieved by any order relating to the appointment, promotion or transfer of such officer or any order on a disciplinary matter or dismissal made by the Commission, in respect of such officer, may appeal therefrom to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal established under Article 59, which shall have the power to alter, vary, rescind or confirm any order or decision made by the Commission.

                                                                            153H. Commission to be answerable to Parliament

                                                                            The Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of Parliament for the discharge of its functions and shall forward to Parliament in each calendar year a report of its activities in such year.

                                                                            154. Duties and functions of Auditor-General

                                                                            1. The Auditor-General shall audit all Departments of the Government, the Office of the Secretary to the President, the Office of the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Offices of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Judicial Services Commission, the Constitutional Council, the Commissions referred to in the Schedule to Article 41B, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Secretary-General of Parliament, local authorities, public corporations, business and other undertakings vested in the Government under any written law and companies registered or deemed to be registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007 in which the Government or a public corporation or local authority holds fifty per centum or more of the shares of that company including the accounts thereof.
                                                                            2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, the Minister in charge of any such public corporation, business or other undertaking or a company referred to in paragraph (1) may, with the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the subject of Finance and in consultation with the Auditor-General, appoint a qualified auditor or auditors to audit the accounts of such public corporation, business or other undertaking or a company referred to in paragraph (1). Where such appointment has been made by the Minister, the Auditor-General may, in writing, inform such auditor or auditors that he proposes to utilize his or their services for the performance and discharge of the Auditor-General’s duties and functions in relation to such public corporation, business or other undertaking or a company referred to in paragraph (1) and thereupon such auditor or auditors shall act under the direction and control of the Auditor-General.
                                                                            3. The Auditor-General shall also perform and discharge such duties and functions as may be prescribed by Parliament by law.

                                                                            4

                                                                            1. The Auditor-General may for the purpose of the performance and discharge of his duties and functions engage the services of a qualified auditor or auditors who shall act under his direction and control.
                                                                            2. If the Auditor-General is of opinion that it is necessary to obtain assistance in the examination of any technical, professional or scientific problem relevant to the audit, he may engage the services of –
                                                                              1. a person not being an employee of the department, body or authority the accounts of which are being audited, or
                                                                              2. any technical or professional or scientific institution not being an institution which has any interest in the management of the affairs of such department, body or authority.

                                                                              and such person or institution shall act under his discretion and control.

                                                                              5

                                                                              1. The Auditor-General or any person authorized by him shall in the performance and discharge of his duties and functions be entitled –
                                                                                1. to have access to all books, records, returns and other documents;
                                                                                2. to have access to stores and other property; and
                                                                                3. to be furnished with such information and explanations as may be necessary for the performance of such duties and functions.
                                                                                1. an individual who, being a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, or of any other Institute established by law, possesses a certificate to practice as an Accountant issued by the Council of such Institute; or
                                                                                2. a firm of Accountants each of the resident partners of which, being a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka or of any other Institute established by law, possesses a certificate to practise as an Accountant issued by the Council of such Institute.

                                                                                CHAPTER XVIIA

                                                                                Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                154A. Establishment of Provincial Councils

                                                                                1. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, a Provincial Council shall be established for every Province specified in the Eighth Schedule with effect from such date or dates as the President may appoint by Order published in the Gazette. Different dates may be appointed in respect of different Provinces.
                                                                                2. Every Provincial Council established under paragraph (1) shall be constituted upon the election of the members of such Council in accordance with the law relating to Provincial Council elections.
                                                                                3. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of this Article, Parliament may by, or under, any law provide for two or three adjoining Provinces to form one administrative unit with one elected Provincial Council, one Governor, one Chief Minister and one Board of Ministers and for the manner of determining whether such Provinces should continue to be administered as one administrative unit or whether each such Province should constitute a separate administrative unit with its own Provincial Council, and a separate Governor, Chief Minister and Board of Ministers.

                                                                                154B. Governor

                                                                                Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                4

                                                                                1. The Provincial Council may, subject to sub-paragraph (b), present an address to the President advising the removal of the Governor on the ground that the Governor –
                                                                                  1. has intentionally violated the provisions of the Constitution;
                                                                                  2. is guilty of misconduct or corruption involving the abuse of the powers of his office; or
                                                                                  3. is guilty of bribery or an offence involving moral turpitude,

                                                                                  if a resolution for the presentation of such address is passed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of members of the Council (including those not present).

                                                                                  8

                                                                                  1. The Governor may, from time to time, summon the Provincial Council to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but two months shall not intervene between the last sitting in one session and the date appointed for the first sitting in the next session.
                                                                                  2. The Governor may, from time to time, prorogue the Provincial Council.
                                                                                  3. The Governor may dissolve the Provincial Council.
                                                                                  4. The Governor shall exercise his powers under this paragraph in accordance with the advice of the Chief Minister, so long as the Board of Ministers commands, in the opinion of the Governor, the support of the majority of the Provincial Council.

                                                                                  Provided that where the Governor does not agree with the advice of the Board of Ministers in any case and he considers it necessary to do so in the public interest, he may refer that case to the President for orders.

                                                                                  10

                                                                                  1. The Governor may address the Provincial Council and may for that purpose require the attendance of members.
                                                                                  2. The Governor may also send messages to the Council either with respect to a statute then pending with the Council, or otherwise and when a message is so sent the Council shall with all convenient despatch consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration.
                                                                                  1. to communicate to the Governor of the Province all decisions of the Board of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Province and the proposals for legislation;
                                                                                  2. to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Province and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for; and
                                                                                  3. if the Governor so requires, to submit for consideration of the Board of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Board.
                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                  154C. Exercise of executive powers by the Governor

                                                                                  Executive power extending to the matters with respect to which a Provincial Council has power to make statutes shall be exercised by the Governor of the Province for which that Provincial Council is established, either directly or through Ministers of the Board of Ministers, or through officers subordinate to him, in accordance with Article 154F.

                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                  154D. Membership of Provincial Council

                                                                                  1. A Provincial Council shall consist of such number of members as may be determined by or under law, having regard to the area and population of the Province for which that Provincial Council is established.

                                                                                  2

                                                                                  1. A Provincial Council may at the commencement of the term of office of its members, decide, by resolution, to grant Members of Parliament elected for electoral districts, the limits of which fall within the Province for which that Provincial Council is established, the right to participate in proceedings of that Council.
                                                                                  2. So long as a resolution passed under sub-paragraph (a) is in force, a Member of Parliament elected for an electoral district, the limits of which fall within the Province for which that provincial Council is established, shall have the right, during the term of office of that Council, to speak in and otherwise take part in, the proceedings of the Provincial Council and to speak in and otherwise take part in, any committee of the Provincial Council of which he may be named a member but shall be entitled to vote thereat only if the resolution passed under sub-paragraph (a) so provides.
                                                                                  3. The provisions of this paragraph shall cease to operate on the date of dissolution of the first Parliament.
                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                  154E. Term of office

                                                                                  A Provincial Council shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a period of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and the expiration of the said period of five years shall operate as a dissolution of the Council.

                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                  154F. Board of Ministers

                                                                                  1. There shall be a Board of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head and not more than four other Ministers to aid and advise the Governor of a Province in the exercise of his functions. The Governor shall, in the exercise of his functions, act in accordance with such advice, except in so far as he is by or under the Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.
                                                                                  2. If any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the Governor is by or under this Constitution required to act in his discretion, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final and the validity of anything done by the Governor shall not be called in question in any Court on the ground that he ought or ought not have acted on his discretion. The exercise of the Governor’s discretion shall be on the President’s directions.
                                                                                  3. The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by the Ministers to the Governor shall not be, inquired into in any Court.
                                                                                  4. The Governor shall appoint as Chief Minister, the member of the Provincial Council constituted for that Province, who, in his opinion, is best able to command the support of a majority of the members of that Council:

                                                                                  Provided that where more than one-half of the members elected to a Provincial Council are members of one political party, the Governor shall appoint the leader of that political party in the Council, as Chief Minister.

                                                                                  154G. Statues of Provincial Councils

                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government
                                                                                  1. where every such Council agrees to the amendment or repeal, such Bill is passed by a majority of the Members of Parliament present and voting; or
                                                                                  2. where one or more Councils do not agree to the amendment or repeal such Bill is passed by the special majority required by Article 82.
                                                                                  1. where every such Council agrees to the passing of the Bill, such Bill is passed by a majority of the Members of Parliament present and voting; or
                                                                                  2. where one or more Councils do not agree to the passing of the Bill, such Bill is passed by the special majority required by Article 82:

                                                                                  Provided that where on such reference, some but not all the Provincial Councils agree to the passing of a Bill, such Bill shall become law applicable only to the Provinces for which the Provincial Councils agreeing to the Bill have been established, upon such Bill being passed by a majority of the Members of Parliament present and voting.

                                                                                  5

                                                                                  1. Parliament may make laws with respect to any matter set out in List III of the Ninth Schedule (hereinafter referred to as “the Concurrent List”) after such consultation with all Provincial Councils as Parliament may consider appropriate in the circumstances of each case.
                                                                                  2. Every Provincial Council may, subject to the provisions of the Constitution, make statutes applicable to the Province for which it is established, with respect to any matter on the Concurrent List, after such consultation with Parliament as it may consider appropriate in the circumstances of each case.
                                                                                  Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                  154H. Assent

                                                                                  1. Every statute made by a Provincial Council shall come into force upon such statute receiving assent as hereinafter provided.
                                                                                  2. Every statute made by a Provincial Council shall be presented to the Governor for his assent, forthwith upon the making thereof and the Governor shall either assent to the statute or he may as soon as possible after the statute is presented to him for assent return it to the Provincial Council together with a message requesting the Council to reconsider the statute or any specified provision thereof and in particular, requesting it to consider the desirability of introducing such amendments as may be recommended in the message.
                                                                                  3. Where a statute is returned to a Provincial Council by the Governor under paragraph (2), the Provincial Council shall reconsider the statute having regard to the Governor’s message and may pass such statute with or without amendment and present it to the Governor for his assent.
                                                                                  4. Upon presentation of a statute to the Governor under paragraph (3), the Governor may assent to the statute or reserve it for reference by the President to the Supreme Court, within one month of the passing of the statute for the second time, for a determination that it is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. Where upon such reference, the Supreme Court determines that the statute is consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, the Governor shall, on receipt by him of the Court’s determination, assent to the statute. Where upon such reference, the Supreme Court determines that the statute is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, the Governor shall withhold assent to the statute.
                                                                                  Emergency provisions

                                                                                  154J. Public Security

                                                                                  1. Upon the making of a proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance or the law for the time being in force relating to public security, bringing the provisions of such Ordinance or law into operation on the ground that the maintenance of essential supplies and services is, threatened or that the security of Sri Lanka is threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, the President may give directions to any Governor as to the manner in which the executive power exercisable by the Governor is to be exercised. The directions so given shall be in relation to the grounds specified in such Proclamation for the making thereof.

                                                                                  Explanation: A Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance declaring that the maintenance of essential supplies and services is threatened or that the security of Sri Lanka or any part of the territory thereof is threatened by war, or by external aggression, or by armed rebellion may be made before the actual breakdown of supplies and services, or the actual occurrence of war, or of any such aggression or rebellion, if the President is satisfied that there is imminent danger thereof:

                                                                                  Provided that where such Proclamation is in operation only in any part of Sri Lanka, the power of the President to give directions under this Article, shall also extend to any Province other than the Province in which the Proclamation is in operation if, and insofar as it is expedient so to do for ensuring the maintenance of essential supplies and services or the security of Sri Lanka.

                                                                                  154K. Failure to comply with directions

                                                                                  Where the Governor or any Provincial Council has failed to comply with, or give effect to any directions given to such Governor or such Council under this Chapter of the Constitution, it shall be lawful for the President to hold that a situation has arisen in which the administration of the Province cannot carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

                                                                                  154L. Failure of administrative machinery

                                                                                  Head of state powers
                                                                                  1. assume to himself all or any of the functions of the administration of the Province and all or any of the powers vested in, or exercisable by, the Governor or anybody or authority in the Province other than the Provincial Council;
                                                                                  2. declare that the powers of the Provincial Council shall be exercisable by, or under the authority of Parliament;
                                                                                  3. make such incidental and consequential provisions as appear to the President to be necessary or desirable for giving effect to the objects of the Proclamation:

                                                                                  Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall authorize the President to assume to himself any of the powers vested in, or exercisable, by any Court.

                                                                                  Provided that if any such Proclamation (not being a Proclamation revoking a previous Proclamation) is issued at a time when Parliament is dissolved or the dissolution of Parliament takes place during the period of fourteen days referred to in this paragraph but no resolution with respect to such proclamation has been passed by Parliament before the expiration of that period, the proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of fourteen days from the date on which Parliament first sits after its reconstitution, unless before the expiration of the said period of fourteen days a resolution approving the Proclamation has been passed by Parliament.

                                                                                  Provided that if and so often as a resolution approving the continuance in force of such a Proclamation is passed by Parliament, the Proclamation shall, unless revoked continue in force for a further period of two months from the date on which under this paragraph is, would otherwise have ceased to operate, but no such Proclamation shall in any case remain in force for more than one year:

                                                                                  Provided further that if the dissolution of Parliament takes place during any such period of two months but no resolution with respect to the continuance in force of such Proclamation has been passed by Parliament during the said period, the Proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of fourteen days from the date on which Parliament first sits after its reconstitution unless before the expiration of the said period of fourteen days a Proclamation approving the continuance in force of the Proclamation has been passed by Parliament.

                                                                                  154M. Parliament to confer powers of Provincial Council to President

                                                                                  1. Where by a Proclamation issued under paragraph (1) of Article 154L, it has been declared that the powers of the Provincial Council shall be exercisable by or under the authority, of Parliament, it shall be competent –
                                                                                    1. for Parliament to confer on the President, the power of the Provincial Council to make statutes and to authorize the President to delegate, subject to such conditions as he may think fit to impose, the power so conferred, on any other authority specified by him in that behalf;
                                                                                    2. for the President to authorize, when Parliament is not in session, expenditure from the Provincial Fund of the Province pending sanction of such expenditure by Parliament.

                                                                                    154N. Financial instability

                                                                                    1. If the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of Sri Lanka or of any part of the territory thereof is threatened, he may by Proclamation make a declaration to that effect.
                                                                                    2. A Proclamation issued under paragraph (1) –
                                                                                      1. may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation;
                                                                                      2. shall be laid before Parliament;
                                                                                      3. shall cease to operate at the expiration of two months, unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by a resolution of Parliament:

                                                                                      Provided that if any such Proclamation is issued at a time when Parliament has been dissolved or the dissolution of Parliament takes place during the period of two months referred to in sub-paragraph (c), but no resolution with respect to such Proclamation has been passed by Parliament before the expiration of that period, the Proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of thirty days from the date on which Parliament first sits after its reconstitution, unless before the expiration of the said period of thirty days a resolution approving the Proclamation has been passed by Parliament.

                                                                                      1. a provision requiring the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Province;
                                                                                      2. a provision requiring all statutes providing for payments into or out of, a Provincial Fund to be reserved for the consideration of the President after they are passed by the Provincial Council.
                                                                                      Structure of the courts

                                                                                      154P. High Court

                                                                                        There shall be a High Court for each Province with effect from the date on which this Chapter comes into force. Each such High Court shall be designated as the High Court of the relevant Province.
                                                                                      Ordinary court selection
                                                                                      1. exercise according to law, the original criminal jurisdiction of the High Court of Sri Lanka in respect of offences committed within the Province;
                                                                                      2. notwithstanding anything in Article 138 and subject to any law, exercise, appellate and revisionary jurisdiction in respect of convictions, sentences and orders entered or imposed by Magistrates Courts and Primary Courts within the Province;
                                                                                      3. exercise such other jurisdiction and powers as Parliament may, by law, provide.
                                                                                      1. orders in the nature of habeas corpus, in respect of persons illegally detained within the Province; and
                                                                                      2. order in the nature of writs of certiorari, prohibition, procedendo, mandamus and quo warranto against any person exercising, within the Province, any power under –
                                                                                        1. any law; or
                                                                                        2. any statutes made by the Provincial Council established for that Province,

                                                                                        in respect of any matter set out in the Provincial Council List.

                                                                                        Establishment of judicial council Right to appeal judicial decisions Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                        154Q. Functions, powers, election etc. of Provincial Councils

                                                                                        Parliament shall by law provide for –

                                                                                        1. the election of members of Provincial Councils and the qualifications for membership of such Councils;
                                                                                        2. the procedure for transaction of business by every such Council;
                                                                                        3. the salaries and allowances of members of Provincial Councils; and
                                                                                        4. any other matter necessary for the purpose of giving effect to the principles of provisions of this Chapter, and for any matters connected with or incidental to, the provisions of this Chapter.
                                                                                        Subsidiary unit government

                                                                                        154R. Finance Commission

                                                                                          There shall be a Finance Commission consisting of –
                                                                                          Central bank
                                                                                          1. the principles on which such funds as are granted annually by the Government for the use of Provinces, should be apportioned between the various Provinces; and
                                                                                          2. any other matter referred to the Commission by the President relating to Provincial Finance.
                                                                                          1. the population of each Province;
                                                                                          2. the per capita income of each Province;
                                                                                          3. the need, progressively, to reduce social and economic disparities; and
                                                                                          4. the need, progressively, to reduce the difference between the per capita income of each Province and the highest per capita income among the Provinces.

                                                                                          154S. Special provision enabling Provincial Councils not to exercise powers under this Chapter

                                                                                          1. A Provincial Council may, by resolution, decide not to exercise its powers under Article 154G with respect to any matter or part thereof set out in the Provincial Council List or the Concurrent List of the Ninth Schedule.
                                                                                          2. Where a resolution has been passed by a Provincial Council under paragraph (1) and the terms of such resolution have been accepted by Parliament, by resolution, the powers of such Provincial Council under Article 154G shall be deemed not to extend to the matter specified in such resolution and Parliament may make law, with respect to that matter, applicable to the province for which that Provincial Council is established, otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of Article 154G.
                                                                                          Transitional provisions

                                                                                          154T. Transitional measures

                                                                                          The President may by Order published in the Gazette, take such action, or give such directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, as appears to him to be necessary or expedient, for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Chapter, or for the administrative changes necessary therefor, or for the purpose of removing any difficulties.

                                                                                          CHAPTER XVIII. PUBLIC SECURITY

                                                                                          Emergency provisions , Head of state decree power

                                                                                          155. Public Security

                                                                                          1. The Public Security Ordinance as amended and in force immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution shall be deemed to be a law enacted by Parliament.
                                                                                          2. The power to make emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance or the law for the time being in force relating to Public security shall include the power to make regulations having the legal effect of over-riding, amending or suspending the operation of the provisions of any law, except the provisions of the Constitution.
                                                                                          3. The provisions of any law relating to public security, empowering the President to make emergency regulations which have the legal effect of over-riding, amending or suspending the operation of the provisions of any law, shall not come into operation, except upon the making of a Proclamation under such law, bringing such provisions into operation.
                                                                                          4. Nothing in the preceding provisions of this Constitution shall be deemed to prohibit the making of emergency regulations, under the Public Security Ordinance or the law for the time being in force relating to Public security, with respect to any matter set out in the Ninth Schedule or having the effect of over-riding amending or suspending the operation of a statute made by a Provincial Council.
                                                                                          5. Upon the making of such a Proclamation, the occasion thereof shall, subject to the other provisions of this Article, be forthwith communicated to Parliament and accordingly –
                                                                                            1. if such Proclamation is issued after the dissolution of Parliament such Proclamation shall operate as a summoning of Parliament to meet on the tenth day after such Proclamation, unless the Proclamation appoints an earlier date for the meeting which shall not be less than three days from the date of the Proclamation; and the Parliament so summoned shall be kept in session until the expiry or revocation of such or any further Proclamation or until the conclusion of the General Election whichever event occurs earlier and shall thereupon stand dissolved;
                                                                                            2. if Parliament is at the date of the making of such Proclamation, separated by any such adjournment or prorogation as will not expire within ten days, a Proclamation shall be issued for the meeting of Parliament within ten days.
                                                                                            1. Parliament stands dissolved at the date of the making of such Proclamation; or
                                                                                            2. Parliament is at such date separated by any such adjournment or prorogation as is referred to in paragraph (4)(ii) of this Article; or
                                                                                            3. Parliament does not meet when summoned to meet as provided in paragraphs (4)(i) and (4)(ii) of this Article,

                                                                                            then such Proclamation shall expire at the end of ten days after the date on which Parliament shall next meet and sit, unless approved by a resolution at such meeting of Parliament.

                                                                                            Provided that in such event, Parliament shall again be summoned to meet as early as possible thereafter.

                                                                                            CHAPTER XVIIIA. NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION

                                                                                            155A. Constitution of the National Police Commission

                                                                                            1. There shall be a National Police Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) consisting of seven members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, of whom at least one member shall be a retired police officer who has held office as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police or above. The Constitutional Council may in making its recommendation, consult the Public Service Commission. The President shall on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council appoint one member as the Chairman.
                                                                                            2. No person shall be appointed as a member of the Commission or continue to hold office as such member if he is or becomes a member of Parliament, a Provincial Council or a local authority.
                                                                                            3. Every person who immediately before his appointment as a member of the Commission, was a public officer in the service of the State or a judicial officer, shall upon such appointment taking effect, cease to hold such office and shall be ineligible for further appointment as a public officer or a judicial officer:

                                                                                            Provided that any such person shall, until he ceases to be a member of the Commission, or while continuing to be a member, attains the age at which he would, if he were a public officer or a judicial officer, as the case may be, be required to retire, be deemed to be a public officer or a judicial officer and to hold a pensionable office in the service of the State, for the purpose of any provision relating to the grant of pensions, gratuities and other allowances in respect of such service.

                                                                                            155B. Meetings of the Commission

                                                                                            1. The quorum for a meeting of the Commission shall be four members.
                                                                                            2. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and in his absence a member elected by the members present from amongst the members shall preside at such meeting.
                                                                                            3. Decisions of the Commission shall be by a majority of members present and voting at the meeting at which the decision is taken and in the event of an equality of votes the Chairman or the person presiding shall have a casting vote.
                                                                                            4. The Commission shall have power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership, and any act or proceeding or decision of the Commission shall not be invalid or deemed to be invalid by reason only of such vacancy or any defect in the appointment of the Chairman or member.
                                                                                            5. The Inspector-General of Police shall be entitled to be present at meetings of the Commission, except where any matter relating to him is being considered. He shall have no right to vote at such meetings.

                                                                                            155C. Immunity from Legal Proceedings

                                                                                            1. Subject to the jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court under Article 126 and the powers granted to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under Article 155L, no court or tribunal shall have the power or jurisdiction to inquire into, or pronounce upon or in any manner call in question any order or decision made by the Commission or a Committee, in pursuance of any power or duty, conferred or imposed on such Commission or Committee under this Chapter or under any other law.

                                                                                            155D. Secretary to the Commission

                                                                                            There shall be a Secretary to the Commission and such other officers appointed by the Commission on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Commission.

                                                                                            155E. Costs and Expenses

                                                                                            The costs and expenses of the Commission shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund.

                                                                                            155F. Interference with the Commission

                                                                                            1. Every person who, otherwise than in the course of such person’s lawful duty, directly or indirectly by himself or by or with any other person, in any manner whatsoever influences or attempts to influence or interferes with any decision of the Commission or a Committee or any police officer to whom the Commission has delegated any power under this Chapter or to so influence any member of the Commission or a Committee or any police officer to whom any power has been delegated shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
                                                                                            2. A High Court established under Article 154P of the Constitution shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any matter referred to in paragraph (1).
                                                                                            1. [Repealed].

                                                                                            155FFF. Commission to make rules

                                                                                            The Commission shall from time to time, make rules for such matters which require rules to be made. Every such rule shall be published in the Gazette.

                                                                                            155G. Powers of the Commission

                                                                                            1

                                                                                            1. The appointment, promotion transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of police officers other than the Inspector-General of Police, shall be vested in the Commission. The Commission shall exercise its powers of promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal in consultation with the Inspector- General of Police.
                                                                                            2. The Commission shall not in the exercise of its powers under this Article, derogate from the powers and functions assigned to the Provincial Police Service Commissions as and when such Commissions are established under Chapter XVIIA of the Constitution.
                                                                                            1. The Commission shall establish procedures to entertain and investigate public complaints and complaints of any aggrieved person made against a police officer or the police service, and provide redress as provided by law. In the event of the Commission providing redress, the Commission shall forthwith inform the Inspector-General of Police.
                                                                                            2. The Commission shall, in consultation with the Inspector-General of Police, provide for and determine all matters regarding police officers, including:-
                                                                                              1. the formulation of schemes of recruitment, promotion and transfers, subject to any policy determined by the Cabinet of Ministers pertaining to the same;
                                                                                              2. training and the improvement of the efficiency and independence of the police service;
                                                                                              3. the nature and type of the arms, ammunition and other equipment necessary for the use of the National Division and the Provincial Divisions; and
                                                                                              4. codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures.

                                                                                              155H. Delegation of certain powers of the Commission to a Committee

                                                                                              1. The Commission may delegate to a Committee of the Commission (not consisting of members of the Commission) as shall be nominated by the Commission, the powers of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of such categories of police officers as are specified by the Commission.
                                                                                              2. The Commission shall cause to be published in the Gazette, the appointment of any such Committee.
                                                                                              3. The procedure and quorum for meetings of a Committee nominated under paragraph (1) shall be according to rules made by the Commission. The Commission shall cause such rules to be published in the Gazette.

                                                                                              155J. Delegation of certain functions by the Commission

                                                                                              1. The Commission may, subject to such conditions and procedures as may be prescribed by the Commission, delegate to the Inspector-General of Police or in consultation with the Inspector-General of Police to any Police Officer, its powers of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of any category of police officers.
                                                                                              2. The Commission shall cause any such delegation to be published in the Gazette.

                                                                                              155K. Right of Appeal

                                                                                              1. Where the Commission has delegated under Article 155J to any police officer its powers of appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of any category of police officers, the Inspector-General of Police shall have a right of appeal to the Commission against any order made by such Police officer in the exercise of his delegated powers.
                                                                                              2. A police officer aggrieved by any order relating to promotion, transfer or any order on a disciplinary matter or dismissal made by the Inspector-General of Police or a Committee or a Police Officer referred to in Article 155H and 155J in respect of such officer may, appeal to the Commission against such order in accordance with rules made by the Commission from time to time regulating the procedure and the period fixed for the making and hearing of an appeal by the Commission.
                                                                                              3. The Commission shall have the power to alter, vary, rescind or confirm such order upon an appeal made under paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), or to give directions in relation thereto or to order such further or other inquiry, as to the Commission shall deem fit.
                                                                                              4. The Commission shall from time to time cause to be published in the Gazette, rules made by it under paragraph (2) of this Article.
                                                                                              5. Upon any delegation of its powers to the Inspector-General of Police or a Committee or police officer under Article 155H and 155J, the Commission shall not, whilst such delegation is in force, exercise, perform or discharge its powers, duties or functions in respect of the categories of police officers in respect of which such delegation is made, subject to the right of appeal hereinbefore provided.

                                                                                              155L. Appeals to Administrative Appeals Tribunal

                                                                                              Any police officer aggrieved by any order relating to promotion, transfer, or any order on a disciplinary matter or dismissal made by the Commission, in respect of such officer, may appeal therefrom to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal established under Article 59, which shall have the power to alter, vary, rescind or confirm any order or decision made by the Commission.

                                                                                              155M. Saving of existing rules and regulation

                                                                                              Until the Commission otherwise provides, all rules, regulations and procedures relating to the Police Force as are in force on the date of the coming into operation of this Article, shall continue to be operative and in force.

                                                                                              155N. Commission answerable to Parliament

                                                                                              The Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of Parliament for the exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions and shall forward to Parliament in each calendar year a report of its activities in such year.

                                                                                              CHAPTER XIX. THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATION

                                                                                              156. Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

                                                                                              1. Parliament shall by law provide for the establishment of the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) charged with the duty of investigating and reporting upon complaints or allegations of the infringement of fundamental rights and other injustices by public officers and officers of public corporations, local authorities and other like institutions, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of such law.
                                                                                              2. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) shall, subject to the approval of the Constitutional Council, be appointed by the President and shall hold office during good behaviour.
                                                                                              3. The salary of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration shall be determined by Parliament and shall not be diminished during his term of office.
                                                                                              4. The office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration shall become vacant –
                                                                                                1. upon his death;
                                                                                                2. on his resignation in writing addressed to the President;
                                                                                                3. on his attaining the age fixed by law;
                                                                                                4. on his removal by the President on account of ill health or physical or mental infirmity; or
                                                                                                5. on his removal by the President on an address of Parliament.

                                                                                                CHAPTER XIXA. COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY OR CORRUPTION

                                                                                                Counter corruption commission

                                                                                                156A. Commission to Investigate Bribery or Corruption

                                                                                                1. Parliament shall by law provide for the establishment of a Commission to investigate allegations of bribery or corruption. Such law shall provide for–
                                                                                                  1. the appointment of the members of the Commission by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council;
                                                                                                  2. the powers of the Commission, including the power to direct the holding of a preliminary inquiry or the making of an investigation into an allegation of bribery or corruption, whether of its own motion or on a complaint made to it, and the power to institute prosecutions for offences under the law in force relating to bribery or corruption;
                                                                                                  3. measures to implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and any other international Convention relating to the prevention of corruption, to which Sri Lanka is a party.

                                                                                                  CHAPTER XIXB. NATIONAL PROCUREMENT COMMISSION

                                                                                                  156B. National Procurement Commission

                                                                                                  1. There shall be a National Procurement Commission (in this Chapter referred to as the “Commission”) consisting of five members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, of whom at least three members shall be persons who have had proven experience in procurement, accountancy, law or public administration. The President shall, on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, appoint one member as the Chairman of the Commission.
                                                                                                  2. Every member of the Commission shall hold office for a period of three years from the date of appointment, unless such member earlier resigns from office by a writing addressed to the President or is removed from office by the President for causes assigned with the approval of the Constitutional Council or is convicted by a court of law for an offence involving moral turpitude or is elected as a member of Parliament or as a member of a Provincial Council or of a local authority or if a resolution for the imposition of a civic disability on him is passed in terms of Article 81.
                                                                                                  3. The Chairman and every member of the Commission shall be paid such allowances as may be determined by a resolution of Parliament. Such allowances shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund and shall not be diminished during the term of office of such Chairman or the member.

                                                                                                  156C. Functions of the Commission

                                                                                                  1. It shall be the function of the Commission to formulate fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective procedures and guidelines, for the procurement of goods and services, works, consultancy services and information systems by government institutions and cause such guidelines to be published in the Gazette and within three months of such publication, to be placed before Parliament.
                                                                                                  2. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), it shall be the function of the Commission to,–
                                                                                                    1. monitor and report to the appropriate authorities, on whether all procurement of goods and services, works, consultancy services and information systems by government institutions are based on procurement plans prepared in accordance with previously approved action plans;
                                                                                                    2. monitor and report to the appropriate authorities on whether all qualified bidders for the provision of goods and services, works, consultancy services and information systems by government institutions are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in the bidding process for the provision of those goods and services, works, consultancy services and information systems;
                                                                                                    3. monitor and report to the appropriate authorities on whether the procedures for the selection of contractors, and the awarding of contracts for the provision of goods and services, works, consultancy services and information systems to government institutions, are fair and transparent;
                                                                                                    4. report on whether members of procurement Committees and Technical Evaluation Committees relating to the procurements, appointed by government institutions are suitably qualified; and
                                                                                                    5. investigate reports of procurements made by government institutions outside established procedures and guidelines, and to report the officers responsible for such procurements to the relevant authorities for necessary action.

                                                                                                    156D. Powers of the Commission

                                                                                                    1. The Commission may, by Notice in writing, require any person to,–
                                                                                                      1. attend before the Commission, to be questioned by the Commission;
                                                                                                      2. produce to the Commission, any document or thing in the possession or control of that person and specified in such Notice.
                                                                                                      1. fails, without reasonable cause to appear before the Commission when required to do so by a Notice sent to him under paragraph (1);
                                                                                                      2. appears before the Commission in compliance with such a Notice, but refuses without reasonable cause, to answer any questions put to him by the Commission; or
                                                                                                      3. fails or refuses, without reasonable cause, to produce any document or thing which he was required to produce by a Notice sent to him under paragraph (1),

                                                                                                      shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand rupees or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

                                                                                                      156E. Meetings of the Commission

                                                                                                      1. The Commission shall meet as often as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions.
                                                                                                      2. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission. In the absence of the Chairman from any meeting of the Commission, the members present shall elect a Chairman for that meeting, from among themselves.
                                                                                                      3. The quorum for any meeting of the Commission shall be three.
                                                                                                      4. Decisions of the Commission shall be by the majority vote of the members present and voting at the meeting at which the decision is taken, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman or member presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote.
                                                                                                      5. Subject to the preceding provisions of this Article, the Commission may determine the procedure with regard to its meetings and the transaction of business at such meetings.
                                                                                                      6. The Commission shall have the power to act notwithstanding any vacancy in the membership of the Commission, and no act, proceeding or decision of the Commission shall be invalid or deemed to be invalid, by reason only of such vacancy or defect in the appointment of a member.

                                                                                                      156F. Staff of the Commission

                                                                                                      1. the Commission shall appoint a Secretary-General and such other officers as it may consider necessary for the proper discharge of its functions, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Commission.
                                                                                                      2. All members and officers of the Commission shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning, and for the purposes of, Chapter IX of the Penal Code.
                                                                                                      3. No suit, prosecution or other proceeding shall lie against any member or officer of the Commission for any act or thing which in good faith is done or purported to be done by him in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his functions, under the Constitution.

                                                                                                      156G. Expenses of the Commission to be charged on the Consolidation Fund

                                                                                                      The expenses of the Commission shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.

                                                                                                      156H. Interpretation

                                                                                                      In this Chapter, “government institution” includes a Ministry, a government department, a public corporation, a local authority, any business or other undertaking vested in the Government and a Company registered or deemed to be registered under the Companies Act, No 7 of 2007, in which the Government, a public corporation or any local authority holds more than fifty per centum of the shares.

                                                                                                      CHAPTER XX. GENERAL

                                                                                                      International law , Legal status of treaties , Treaty ratification

                                                                                                      157. International Treaties and Agreements

                                                                                                      Where Parliament by resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the whole number of Members of Parliament (including those not present) voting in its favour, approves as being essential for the development of the national economy, any Treaty or Agreement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of any foreign State for the promotion and protection of the investments in Sri Lanka of such foreign State, its nationals, or of corporations, companies and other associations incorporated or constituted under its laws, such Treaty or Agreement shall have the force of law in Sri Lanka and otherwise than in the interests of national security no written law shall be enacted or made, and no executive or administrative action shall be taken, in contravention of the provisions of such Treaty or Agreement.

                                                                                                      157A. Prohibition against violation of territorial integrity of Sri Lanka

                                                                                                        No person shall, directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, support, espouse, promote, finance, encourage or advocate the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.
                                                                                                      Prohibited political parties
                                                                                                      1. be subject to civic disability for such period not exceeding seven years as may be determined by such Court;
                                                                                                      2. forfeit his movable and immovable property other than such property as is determined by an order of such Court as being necessary for the sustenance of such person and his family;
                                                                                                      3. not be entitled to civic rights for such period not exceeding seven years as may be determined by such Court; and
                                                                                                      Removal of individual legislators Regulation of political parties Regulation of political parties Removal of individual legislators
                                                                                                      1. be subject to civic disability for such period not exceeding seven years as may be determined by such Court;
                                                                                                      2. forfeit his movable and immovable property other than such property as is determined by an order of such Court as being necessary for the sustenance of such person and his family;
                                                                                                      3. not be entitled to civic rights for such period not exceeding seven years as may be determined by such Court;
                                                                                                      Removal of individual legislators Oaths to abide by constitution
                                                                                                      1. if such officer or person is holding office on the date of coming into force of this Article, make and, subscribe, or take and subscribe, an oath or affirmation in the form set out in the Seventh Schedule, before such person or body if any, as is referred to in that Article, within one month of the date on which this Article comes into force;
                                                                                                      2. if such person or officer is appointed to such office after the coming into force of this Article, make and subscribe or take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, in the form set out in the Seventh Schedule, before such person or body, if any, as is referred to in that Article, within one month of his appointment to such office.

                                                                                                      The provisions of Article 165 and Article 169 (12) shall mutatis mutandis, apply to, and in relation to, any person or officer who fails to take and subscribe, or make and subscribe an oath or affirmation as required by this paragraph.

                                                                                                      Oaths to abide by constitution

                                                                                                      8

                                                                                                      1. Every person who is a Member of Parliament on the coming into force of this Article shall not be entitled to sit and vote in Parliament unless he takes and subscribes or makes and subscribes an oath or affirmation in the form set out in the Seventh Schedule.
                                                                                                      2. Every person who is elected or nominated as a Member of Parliament on or after the coming into force of this Article shall not be entitled to sit and vote in Parliament unless he takes and subscribes or makes and subscribes an oath or affirmation in the form set out in the Seventh Schedule.
                                                                                                      1. the right to obtain a passport;
                                                                                                      2. the right to sit for any public examination;
                                                                                                      Right to own property

                                                                                                      158. Delegation

                                                                                                      Where any person is empowered under the provisions of the Constitution to delegate any power, duty or function to any other person, such person delegating such power, duty or function may, notwithstanding such delegation, exercise, perform or discharge such power, duty or function and may at any time revoke such delegation.

                                                                                                      In this Article, "person" includes anybody of persons or any authority.

                                                                                                      159. Deputy Speaker to act for Speaker

                                                                                                      Where the Speaker is unable to discharge the functions of his office, the powers, duties and functions conferred or imposed on, or assigned to, the Speaker by any provision of the Constitution, other than by Articles 31 (4), 37, 38 (2) (b), 39 (2) and 40, may be exercised, performed or discharged by the Deputy Speaker.

                                                                                                      Transitional provisions

                                                                                                      CHAPTER XXI. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

                                                                                                      160. First President

                                                                                                      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other provision of the Constitution, the person holding the office of President immediately before the commencement of the Constitution shall be the first President under the Constitution and shall be deemed for all purposes to have been elected as the President of the Republic, and shall, subject, to the provisions of Article 31, hold office for a period of six years from February 4, 1978.

                                                                                                      The President shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 32, be deemed to have assumed office immediately upon the commencement of the Constitution and shall be entitled thereupon to exercise, perform and discharge all the powers, duties and functions conferred or imposed on, or assigned to, the President by the Constitution or otherwise. The President shall, as soon as possible thereafter at a sitting of Parliament, take and subscribe the oath or make and subscribe the affirmation set out in the Fourth Schedule.

                                                                                                      161. First Parliament

                                                                                                      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other provision of the Constitution-

                                                                                                      1. the first Parliament shall consist of one hundred and sixty-eight members, and subject to the succeeding provisions of this Article, all persons who immediately before the commencement of the Constitution were members of the National State Assembly shall be deemed to have been elected as Members of Parliament;
                                                                                                        1. if the election, as a Member of the National State Assembly, of a person deemed to have been elected to the first Parliament is declared void under the law for the time being in force and no other person is determined to have been duly returned or elected, the seat of such Member shall be vacant, and an election to the electoral district as existing immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution, shall be held in accordance with the law relating to elections to the National State Assembly in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution and on the basis of the register of electors applicable to such electoral district which was operative on the day immediately preceding the commencement of the Constitution;
                                                                                                        2. the law applicable to election petitions in relation to an election held as provided in sub-paragraph (i) shall be the law in force upon the commencement of the Constitution and in the event of such an election being declared void the provisions of sub-paragraph (i) shall, mutatis mutandis, apply;

                                                                                                        Where a Member ceases to be a member of the recognized political party to which he belonged by reason of being expelled from such party, he shall be entitled to apply, within one month of the date of such expulsion by petition in writing, to the Supreme Court for a determination that such expulsion was invalid. In the event of any such application being made, the Registrar of the Supreme Court shall forthwith inform the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing, of such application. Every such application shall be heard and determined by not less than three Judges of the Supreme Court who shall, within two months of the making of such application, determine whether such expulsion was valid or not.

                                                                                                        The Speaker shall, on receiving in the aforesaid manner, a communication alleging that a Member has ceased to be a member of the recognized political party to which such Member belonged, appoint a Select Committee consisting of not less than five Members of Parliament (one of whom shall be nominated as Chairman thereof) to inquire into, and report to Parliament on, the circumstances in which such Member is alleged to have resigned from, or to have been expelled from, or to have otherwise ceased to be a member of, such party, and the reasons therefor:

                                                                                                        Provided, however, that where such communication alleges that a Member has ceased to be a member of the recognized political party to which he belonged by reason of his being expelled therefrom, no Select Committee shall be appointed as aforesaid until after the expiration of a period of' one month from the date of such alleged expulsion, and in any case where such Member has applied to the Supreme Court for a determination that such expulsion was invalid, unless and until the Supreme Court has determined that such expulsion was valid.

                                                                                                        The provisions of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply in relation to proceedings before, and to the privileges, Immunities and powers of, a Select Committee appointed as aforesaid, and every such Select Committee shall be deemed, for the purposes of that Act, to be duly authorized by an order of Parliament to send for persons, papers and records.

                                                                                                        After consideration of the report made by a Select Committee appointed as aforesaid, Parliament may, by resolution passed by not less than eighty-five members voting in its favour, resolve that the Member to whom such report relates, shall cease to be a Member of Parliament. The Speaker shall endorse on every resolution so passed, a certificate in the following form:-

                                                                                                        "This resolution has been passed by the majority required by Article 161 (d) (ii) of the Constitution".

                                                                                                        The seat of such Member shall, with effect from the date of such certificate, become vacant.

                                                                                                        Every such certificate shall be conclusive for all purposes and shall not be questioned in any court, and no court or tribunal shall inquire into, pronounce upon or in any manner call in question, the validity of the resolution on which such certificate is endorsed on any ground whatsoever.

                                                                                                        Provided that where the Secretary of such political party fails to nominate a member of such political party to fill such vacancy under the preceding provisions of this sub-paragraph within thirty days of his being required to do so and in the aforesaid manner or where the Secretary of a political party had been required, before the coming into force of this proviso, to nominate a member of such political party to fill any such vacancy under such provisions and such Secretary fails, within thirty days of the coming into force of this proviso, to nominate a member of such political party to fill such vacancy, or where such political party is deemed to be proscribed under Article 157 (a), then, the Commissioner of Election shall forthwith so inform the President, who shall, within thirty days of the receipt by him of such information, by Notice published in the Gazette order the Commissioner of Elections to hold an election for the electoral district in respect of which such vacancy has occurred. The Commissioner of Elections shall thereupon hold an election, in accordance with Part I and Parts IV to VI (both inclusive) of the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, for such electoral district as existed immediately preceding the Constitution and on the basis of such part of the register, prepared under the Registration of Electors Act, No. 44 of 1980, and in operation, as corresponds to such electoral district. The aforesaid parts of the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946, shall, for the purposes of such election and notwithstanding the repeal of such Order in Council, be deemed to be in force and shall, mutatis mutandis, and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Constitution, apply to such election.

                                                                                                        The law applicable to election petitions in relation to such electoral district shall be the aforesaid parts of such Order in Council as applied aforesaid and in the event of such election being declared void and no other person is determined to have been duly returned or elected, the election to fill such vacancy shall be held in accordance with the provisions of this proviso.

                                                                                                        If the Court of Appeal makes, on such application, a declaration that such Member has directly or indirectly, in or outside Sri Lanka, supported, espoused, promoted, financed, encouraged or advocated the establishment of a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka, the seat of such Member shall be deemed to be vacant with effect from the date of such declaration and such Member shall be disqualified from sitting and voting in Parliament and from being elected or nominated to Parliament for a period of seven years from the date of such declaration. The vacancy occurring in the membership of Parliament by reason of such declaration shall be filled in the manner provided in paragraph (iii).

                                                                                                        The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal' in respect of its powers under this sub-paragraph shall be exercised in the manner provided in sub-paragraph (iv) of the proviso to paragraph (2) of Article 146.

                                                                                                        162. Application of certain provisions

                                                                                                        1. The provisions of Article 98, other than paragraphs (8) and (9) thereof, and Article 99 shall not come into operation until the General Election held upon the dissolution of the first Parliament.
                                                                                                        2. If at the time of such dissolution the notification of electoral districts has not been proclaimed as required by Article 97, the electoral districts for the first General Election to be held upon the dissolution of the first Parliament, and the number of Members which each such district shall be entitled to return by virtue of the provisions of paragraph (4) of Article 96, shall be as set out in the Sixth Schedule and accordingly, registers of electors shall be prepared and certified for each such electoral district, and unless Parliament otherwise provides, such registers shall be prepared on the basis of the register of electors in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution.

                                                                                                        163. Judges of Supreme Court and High Court to cease to hold office

                                                                                                        All Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts established by the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, holding office on the day immediately before the commencement of the Constitution shall, on the commencement of the Constitution, cease to hold office.

                                                                                                        164. Continuation in office of Judges, public officers and others

                                                                                                        Subject to the provisions of Article 163 every person who immediately before the commencement of the Constitution –

                                                                                                        1. held office in any court or tribunal deemed, by virtue of the provisions of paragraph (2) of Article 105, to be a court or tribunal created and established by Parliament,
                                                                                                        2. was in the service of the Republic, any local authority or any public corporation,
                                                                                                        3. held office in any local authority or public corporation, or
                                                                                                        4. held any appointment under any existing written law,

                                                                                                        shall continue in such service or hold such office or appointment under the same terms and conditions.

                                                                                                        Oaths to abide by constitution

                                                                                                        165. Oath or affirmation to be taken or made by public officers and others

                                                                                                        1. Every public officer, judicial officer and every other person as is required by the Constitution to take an oath or make an affirmation on entering upon the duties of his office, every holder of an office required under the existing law to take an official oath and every person in the service of every local authority and of every public corporation shall take and subscribe the oath or make and subscribe the affirmation set out in the Fourth Schedule. Any such public officer, judicial officer, person or holder of an office failing to take and subscribe such oath or make and subscribe such affirmation after the commencement of the Constitution on or before such date as may be prescribed by the Prime Minister by Order published in the Gazette shall cease to be in service or hold office.
                                                                                                        2. The Minister in charge of the subject of Public Administration may, in his sole discretion, permit any public officer, judicial officer, person or holder of an office referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article, to take the oath or make the affirmation referred to in that paragraph after the prescribed date if he is satisfied that the failure to take the oath or make the affirmation within the time prescribed was occasioned by illness or some other unavoidable cause. On his taking such oath or making such affirmation, he shall continue in service or hold office as if he had taken such oath or made such affirmation within the time prescribed under paragraph (1) of this Article.
                                                                                                        3. The President may by Proclamation-
                                                                                                          1. exclude the application of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article to any category of public officers,
                                                                                                          2. prescribe the persons or categories of persons who may administer such oath or affirmation in addition to the persons who are empowered under the existing law to administer oaths or affirmations.

                                                                                                          166. Powers, privileges, immunities and rights of the Republic

                                                                                                          Unless Parliament otherwise provides, the Republic of Sri Lanka shall continue to possess and exercise all powers, privileges, immunities and rights whatsoever possessed, exercised or exercisable immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution.

                                                                                                          167. Rights, duties and obligations of the Republic

                                                                                                          All rights and all duties or obligations, however arising, of the Government of Sri Lanka and subsisting immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution shall be rights, duties and obligations of the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka under the Constitution.

                                                                                                          168. Past operation of laws, previous Acts, offences and pending actions etc

                                                                                                          1. Unless Parliament otherwise provides, all laws, written laws and unwritten laws, in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution, shall, mutatis mutandis, and except as otherwise expressly provided in the Constitution, continue in force.
                                                                                                          2. Save as otherwise provided in the Constitution, existing laws, written laws and unwritten laws are not and shall not in any manner be deemed to be provisions of the Constitution.
                                                                                                          3. Wherever the Constitution provides that any law, written law or unwritten law or any provision of the Constitution shall continue in force until or unless Parliament otherwise provides, any law enacted by Parliament so providing may be passed by a majority of the Members present and voting.
                                                                                                          4. Whenever the Constitution provides that any provision of any existing written law shall continue in force until or unless Parliament otherwise provides and the existing written law referred to consists of subordinate legislation, the provision that such existing written law shall continue in force until or unless Parliament otherwise provides shall not in any manner be deemed to derogate from the power of the person or body on whom the power to make and when made, to amend, vary, rescind or revoke such subordinate legislation is conferred, to exercise the power so conferred until or unless Parliament otherwise provides.
                                                                                                          5. Unless the Constitution otherwise provides, the past operation of any law in force prior to the commencement of the Constitution or anything duly done or suffered or any offence committed or any right, liberty, obligation or penalty acquired or incurred under any law in force prior to the commencement of the Constitution shall not in any manner be affected or be deemed to be affected by the Constitution coming into force.
                                                                                                          6. All actions, prosecutions, proceedings, matters or things, including proceedings of Commissions appointed or established by or under any existing written law, pending or uncompleted on the commencement of the Constitution shall, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and, mutatis mutandis, be deemed to continue and may be carried on and completed after the commencement of the Constitution.

                                                                                                          169. Provisions relating to judiciary

                                                                                                          Unless Parliament otherwise provides –

                                                                                                          1. any provisions of the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, which are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be deemed to be repealed;
                                                                                                          2. the Supreme Court established by the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, shall, on the commencement of the Constitution, cease to exist, and accordingly the provisions of that Law relating to the establishment of the said Supreme Court, shall be deemed to have been repealed. Unless otherwise provided in the Constitution, every reference in any existing written law to the Supreme Court shall be deemed to be a reference to the Court of Appeal;
                                                                                                          3. all appellate proceedings including proceedings by way of revision, case stated and restitutio in integrum pending in the Supreme Court established under the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, on the day preceding the commencement of the Constitution, shall stand removed to the Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal shall have jurisdiction to take cognizance of and to hear and determine the same; and the judgments and orders of the Supreme Court aforesaid delivered or made before the commencement of the Constitution in appellate proceedings shall have the same force and effect as if they had been delivered or made by the Court of Appeal;
                                                                                                          4. all original proceedings by way of applications for the issue of high prerogative Writs and applications for any other relief pending in the Supreme Court as well as all applications for injunctions pending in the High Court established under the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, on the date immediately preceding the commencement of the Constitution shall stand removed to the Court of Appeal and such Court shall have jurisdiction to take cognizance of, hear and determine or to continue and complete the same, and the judgments and orders of the Supreme Court established under the Administration of Justice Law, No. 44 of 1973, delivered or made before the commencement of the Constitution in original proceedings shall have the same force and effect as if they had been delivered or made by the Court of Appeal:

                                                                                                          Provided that any proceedings in relation to any alleged breach of privileges of Parliament pending in the Supreme Court shall stand removed to the Supreme Court created and established by the Constitution;

                                                                                                          Provided that it shall be competent for the Court of Appeal and all officers of such Court to take all such steps as may be necessary, including the entering of decrees if not already entered and taxation and recovery of costs so as to ensure that such judgments, orders and decrees are completely and effectively complied with, as if they had been delivered or made by the Court of Appeal created and established by the Constitution;

                                                                                                          15

                                                                                                          1. any reference in section 2 of the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978, to the Supreme Court shall be deemed to be a reference to the Supreme Court established by the Constitution;
                                                                                                          2. where any person has been appointed as a member of a Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry established under the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978, then, such person shall notwithstanding the provisions of the Constitution, continue to be such member and shall be deemed for the purposes of Article 81 (1) to be a Judge of a Court referred to therein unless he resigns, or refuses or becomes unable to act, or is discharged by the President from the performance of his duties as such member in accordance with the provisions of the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978;
                                                                                                          3. any such member specified in the Warrant establishing such Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry as Chairman, shall, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (ii) of this paragraph, continue to be the Chairman of such Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry;

                                                                                                          16

                                                                                                          1. any breach the privileges of the National State Assembly functioning immediately prior to the commencement of the Constitution, shall be deemed to be a breach of the privileges of Parliament and accordingly, Parliament and the Supreme Court, shall have the Power to take cognizance of and punish any person for such breach of privileges of Parliament;
                                                                                                          2. where prior to the commencement of the Constitution, any step required or authorized by the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act has been taken in respect of, or in relation to, any act or omission alleged to constitute such a breach of the privileges of Parliament as is referred to in sub-paragraph (i) of this paragraph, such step shall be deemed to have been validly taken and any further steps as are required or authorized under such Act, may be taken, in respect of or, in relation to, such alleged breach of the privileges of Parliament as if the act or omission alleged to constitute; such breach of privileges of Parliament had been committed or had occurred after the commencement of the Constitution.

                                                                                                          169A. Provision relating to Queen's Counsel and Senior Attorneys-at-Law

                                                                                                          1. Every-
                                                                                                            1. Queen's Counsel appointed prior to the coming into force of the Constitution; and
                                                                                                            2. Senior attorney-at-law appointed by the President after the coming into force of the Constitution,

                                                                                                            shall, from the date on which this Article comes into force, be called and known also as President's Counsel and shall continue to enjoy all such privileges as were hitherto enjoyed by a Queen's Counsel.

                                                                                                            CHAPTER XXII. INTERPRETATION

                                                                                                            170. Interpretation

                                                                                                            In the Constitution –

                                                                                                              “civic disability” shall have the same meaning as in the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Law, No. 7 of 1978, as on the commencement of the Constitution;

                                                                                                            “commencement of the Constitution” means the date appointed by the Proclamation made under Article 172;

                                                                                                            “conclusion of the General Election” means the time at which Members of Parliament for all the electoral districts in respect of which a poll has been taken on the date or dates specified in the Proclamation made under Article 70(5) have been declared elected by the respective returning officers, or when on the results declared more than half the total membership of Parliament consists of Members belonging to any single recognized political party or independent group, whichever event occurs earlier;

                                                                                                            “existing law” and “existing written law” mean any law and written law, respectively, in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution which under the Constitution continue in force;

                                                                                                            1. a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the Court of Appeal;
                                                                                                            2. any Judge of the High Court or any Judge, presiding officer or member of any other Court of First Instance, tribunal or institution created and established for the administration of Justice or for the adjudication of any labour or other dispute but does not include a person who performs arbitral functions or a public officer whose principal duty or duties is or are not the performance of functions of a judicial nature.

                                                                                                            No court or tribunal or institution shall have jurisdiction to determine the question whether a person is a judicial officer within the meaning of the Constitution but such question shall be determined by the Judicial Service Commission whose decision thereon shall be final and conclusive.

                                                                                                            No act of such person or proceeding held before such person, prior to such determination, shall be, deemed to be invalid by reason of such determination;

                                                                                                            “law” means any Act of Parliament and any law enacted by any legislature at any time prior to the commencement of the Constitution and includes an Order in Council;

                                                                                                            “local authority” means any Municipal Council, Urban Council, Town Council or Village Council and includes any Authority created and established by or under any law to exercise, perform and discharge powers, duties and functions corresponding to or similar to the powers, duties and functions exercised, performed and discharged by any such Council;

                                                                                                            “public corporation” means any corporation, board or other body which was or is established by or under any written law other than the Companies Ordinance, with funds or capital wholly or partly provided by the Government by way of grant, loan or otherwise;

                                                                                                            “public officer” means a person who holds any paid office under the Republic, other than a judicial officer, but does not include –

                                                                                                            1. the President;
                                                                                                            2. the Prime Minister
                                                                                                            3. the Speaker;
                                                                                                            4. a Minister;
                                                                                                            5. a Deputy Minister;
                                                                                                            6. a Member of Parliament;
                                                                                                            7. a member of the Constitutional Council;
                                                                                                            8. a member of the Judicial Service Commission;
                                                                                                            9. a member of the Public Service Commission;
                                                                                                            10. a member of the Election Commission;
                                                                                                            11. a member of the National Police Commission;
                                                                                                            12. a member of the Audit Service Commission;
                                                                                                            Human rights commission

                                                                                                            “recognized political party” means unless Parliament otherwise provides, every political party which is treated as a recognized political party under the Ceylon (Parliamentary Elections) Order in Council, 1946;

                                                                                                            “territorial waters” includes the territorial sea and the historic waters of Sri Lanka;

                                                                                                            “written law” means any law and subordinate legislation and includes statutes made by a Provincial Council, Orders, Proclamations, Rules, By-laws and Regulations made or issued by anybody or person having power or authority under any law to make or issue the same.

                                                                                                            CHAPTER XXIII. REPEAL

                                                                                                            1. The Constitution adopted and enacted on the 22nd day of May, 1972, is hereby repealed.

                                                                                                            CHAPTER XXIV. PROMULGATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

                                                                                                            172. Promulgation of the Constitution

                                                                                                            1. The provisions of Chapter I to Chapter XXIII shall come into force on the day appointed by the President by Proclamation.
                                                                                                            2. Parliament shall meet on the day so appointed and the President may, in such Proclamation, specify the time at which Parliament shall so meet.

                                                                                                            Other Consequential Amendments in the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution

                                                                                                            24. Commissions under repealed Articles 56 and 112 of the Constitution to continue

                                                                                                            1. The persons holding office on the date prior to the date of commencement of this Act, as members of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission established by Article 56 and Article 112 respectively, of the Constitution, shall continue to hold office as such members continue to exercise the powers vested in those Commissions under the Constitution, prior to the date of commencement of this Act, until the date on which the members of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission respectively, are appointed under Article 54 and Article 111D respectively of the Constitution.
                                                                                                            2. The persons holding office on the day prior to the date of commencement of this Act, as the Secretary to the Public Service Commission and as the Secretary to the Judicial Service Commission appointed under paragraph (7) of Article 56 and Article 113 respectively, of the Constitution, shall continue to hold such office under the same terms and conditions.

                                                                                                            25. Chief Justice, Judges of the Supreme Court, President of the Court of Appeal etc.; to continue to hold office

                                                                                                            1. The Chief Justice and all the Judges of the Supreme Court and the President and all the Judges of the Court of Appeal holding office on the day prior to the date of the commencement of this Act, shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 41C, continue to hold office.
                                                                                                            2. Every person holding office on the day prior to the date of the commencement of this Act, as the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Inspector-General of Police, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) and the Secretary-General of Parliament shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of Article 41C, continue to hold such office under the same terms and conditions.

                                                                                                            26. Judges of the High Court etc.; to continue to hold office

                                                                                                            Every person holding office on the day prior to the date of the commencement of this Act –

                                                                                                            1. as a Judge of the High Court;
                                                                                                            2. as a judicial officer, a scheduled public officer, a public officer or a police officer,

                                                                                                            shall, continue to hold such office under the same terms and conditions.

                                                                                                            27. Substitution and savings

                                                                                                            1. Unless the context otherwise requires, there shall be substituted for the expressions "Commissioner of Elections" and "Department of the Commissioner of Elections" wherever such expressions occur in the Constitution and in any written law or in any contract, agreement or other document, of the expression "Election Commission".
                                                                                                            2. The person holding office as the Commissioner of Elections on the day immediately preceding the date of the commencement of this Act, shall continue to exercise and perform the powers and functions of the office of Commissioner of Elections as were vested in him immediately prior to the commencement of this Act, and of the Election Commission, until an Election Commission is constituted in terms of Article 103, and shall, from and after the date on which the Election Commission is so constituted, cease to hold office as the Commissioner of Elections.
                                                                                                            3. All suits, actions and other legal proceedings instituted by or against the Commissioner of Elections appointed under Article 103 of the Constitution prior to the amendment of such Article by this Act, and pending on the day immediately prior to the date of commencement of this Act, shall he deemed to be suits, actions and other legal proceedings instituted by or against the Election Commission, and shall be continued and completed in the name of the Election Commission.
                                                                                                            4. Any decision or order made, or ruling, given by the Commissioner of Elections appointed under Article 103 of the Constitution prior to the amendment of that Article, by this Act, and under any written law on or before the date of the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to be a decision or order made or ruling given, by the Election Commission.

                                                                                                            28. Pending matters before the Public Service Commission to stand removed to the National Police Commission

                                                                                                            All matters pertaining to the appointment, promotion, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of any police officer pending before the Public Service Commission, on or before the date of the commencement of this Act, shall stand removed to the National Police Commission established by Chapter XVIIIA of the Constitution and accordingly such matter shall be continued and completed before such National Police Commission.

                                                                                                            FIRST SCHEDULE. Names of Administrative Districts (ARTICLE 5)

                                                                                                            1. Colombo
                                                                                                            2. Gampaha
                                                                                                            3. Kalutara
                                                                                                            4. Kandy
                                                                                                            5. Matale
                                                                                                            6. Nuwara Eliya
                                                                                                            7. Galle
                                                                                                            8. Matara
                                                                                                            9. Hambantota
                                                                                                            10. Jaffna
                                                                                                            11. Kilinochchi
                                                                                                            12. Mannar
                                                                                                            13. Vavuniya
                                                                                                            14. Mullaitivu
                                                                                                            15. Batticaloa
                                                                                                            16. Ampara
                                                                                                            17. Trincomalee
                                                                                                            18. Kurunegala
                                                                                                            19. Puttalam
                                                                                                            20. Anuradhapura
                                                                                                            21. Polonnaruwa
                                                                                                            22. Badulla
                                                                                                            23. Moneragala
                                                                                                            24. Ratnapura
                                                                                                            25. Kegalle