Constitution

It shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.

Constitution of Sri Lanka 1978

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Excerpts from The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Certified on Aug. 31, 1978

The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka contains 172 Articles, 9 Schedules, and 14 Amendments (as of Feb '97).

In this document, only following Articles are included: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 101, 138, 157, 161. In addition, Schedule 1 is also included.

Chapter I - The People, The State and Sovereignty

The State

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

Unitary State

2. The Republic of Sri Lanka is a Unitary State.

Sovereignty of People

3. 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.

Territory of the Republic

The National Flag

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

The National Anthem

7. 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.

The National Day

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

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Chapter II - Buddhism

Buddhism

9. The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).

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