Constitution
Drafting the Constitution Together
Explore the ideas and building blocks as citizens and stakeholders come together to draft Sri Lanka's constitution. Each section is an open invitation to shape a framework that serves all.
This is a collaborative drafting process, shaped by the voices and ideas of people like you. Join the conversation: read, review, and contribute your insights to co-create these foundational principles.
Constitutional Chapters
The People, The State and Sovereignty
This section establishes the fundamental constitutional identity of Sri Lanka. It declares Sri Lanka as a Free, Sovereign, Independent, and Democratic Socialist Republic and confirms that the country is a Unitary State.
Fundamental Rights
This section outlines the fundamental rights guaranteed to all persons in Sri Lanka, including freedoms of thought, religion, speech, movement and equality before the law, while protecting individuals from torture, arbitrary arrest, and unfair punishment, subject only to limited restrictions necessary in a democratic society.
Public Policy
This section sets out the State’s non-justiciable guiding principles for building a just, democratic, and equitable society while outlining the fundamental duties expected of every citizen to uphold the Constitution, protect public property, promote national unity, and safeguard the environment.
Executive
This section defines the powers, duties, election procedures, tenure, succession, privileges, and constitutional role of the President as Sri Lanka’s Head of State, Head of the Executive, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Legislature
These sections define the structure, powers, procedures, membership, privileges, law-making authority, and constitutional amendment process of Parliament, outlining how Members are elected, how Parliament functions, and how laws or constitutional changes become valid.
Referendum, Franchise and Elections
This chapter outlines the democratic mechanisms through which the people participate directly and indirectly in governing Sri Lanka. It covers three key areas: Referenda, Franchise, and Elections.
The Judiciary
This Chapter establishes Sri Lanka’s independent system of courts headed by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal and including the High Court and other tribunals, sets out public sittings, judicial appointments, tenure and removal, protection from interference, and creates the Judicial Service Commission and superior court jurisdictions for constitutional review, fundamental rights, appeals, and election disputes.
Public Finance
This section establishes Parliament’s full control over public finances—including taxation, the Consolidated Fund, withdrawals, contingencies, revenue Bills—and outlines the appointment, powers, independence, and oversight functions of the Auditor-General and the Audit Service Commission to ensure transparent and accountable financial governance.
Public Security
This section sets out the constitutional framework for public security, including the President’s powers to declare emergencies, parliamentary oversight of emergency regulations, and the establishment, powers, independence, and accountability of the National Police Commission in managing police appointments, discipline, complaints, and public protection.
Provincial Councils
Provincial governance and devolution of powers
Checks & Balances
Independent oversight bodies and accountability mechanisms
State & Local Resource Management
Natural resource governance and environmental protection
General
Miscellaneous provisions, amendments, and transitional arrangements
Your Voice Matters
Every article, every clause, every word in this constitution can be shaped by your input. Propose amendments, share feedback, and collaborate with fellow citizens to create a document that truly represents us all.
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