The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The fundamental law of Sri Lanka declares that Sri Lanka is a free, sovereign, independent, and democratic socialist republic, and shall be known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It also defines the territory of the Republic, its national flag, national anthem, and national day. The constitution specifically provides that Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring freedom of religion. It also recognizes the fundamental rights of of persons. These include freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom from torture, right to equality, freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment of retrospective penal legislation, freedom of speech, assembly, association, occupation, and movement, right of access to information, and restrictions on fundamental rights. It provides for the remedy in case of infringement or imminent infringement of fundamental rights by executive action by way of an application to the Supreme Court. It likewise provides for language and citizenship in Sri Lanka. It sets out the structure of government which consists of the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.