# Constitution of Sri Lanka

The Second Republican Constitution of Sri Lanka comprises 25 Chapters and 9 Schedules and has had 18 amendments. It was promulgated in its original form on 7 September 1978 by the National State Assembly.

## Preamble

SVASTI
BLESSINGS
| “ | 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 JUST AND 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 this CONSTITUTION as the SUPREME LAW of the DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA | ” |

## Chapters

* I The People, The State and Sovereignty
* II Buddhism
* III Fundamental Rights
* IV Language
* V Citizenship
* VI Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
* VII The Executive - The President of the Republic
* VIII The Executive - The Cabinet of Ministers
* IX The Executive - The Public Service
* X The Legislature – Parliament
* XI The Legislature - Procedures and Powers
* XII The Legislature - Amendment of the Constitution
* XIII The Referendum
* XIV The Franchise and Elections
* XV The Judiciary
* XVI The Superior Courts
* XVII Finance
* XVIIA (13th Amendment - Provincial Councils & High Courts)
* XVIII Public Security
* XIX The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
* XX General
* XXI Transitional Provisions
* XXII Interpretation
* XXIII Repeal
* XXIV Promulgation of the Constitution

## Schedules

* 1st Names of Administrative Districts
* 2nd
* 3rd
* 4th (Articles 32, 53, 61, 107, 165)
* 5th (Article 114(6))
* 6th (Article 162(2))
* 7th (Articles 157A and Article 161(d)(iii))
* 8th Provinces
* 9th (Article 154A)

## Amendments

* 1st
* 2nd
* 3rd
* 4th
* 5th
* 6th
* 7th
* 8th
* 9th
* 10th
* 11th
* 12th
* 13th
* 14th
* 15th
* 16th
* 17th
* 18th
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