Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka · 2023 Revised Edition · Chapter III · Fundamental Rights
12. Right to equality
Unofficial copy, with amendments up to 31 Oct 2022. Later amendments are not included. Check the official text before you rely on it.
Unofficial copyFrom Parliament of Sri Lanka, unchanged
All persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection of the law.
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.
No person shall, on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex or any one of such grounds, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, places of public entertainment and places of public worship of his own religion.
Nothing in this Article shall prevent special provision being made, by law, subordinate legislation or executive action, for the advancement of women, children or disabled persons.
Chapter IV
Language
Chapter V
Citizenship
Chapter VI
Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
Chapter VII
The Executive
Chapter VIIA
The Constitutional Council
Chapter VIII
The Executive
Chapter IX
The Executive
Chapter X
The Legislature
Chapter XI
The Legislature
Chapter XII
The Legislature
Chapter XIII
The Referendum
Chapter XIV
The Franchise and Elections
Chapter XIVA
Election Commission
Chapter XV
The Judiciary
Chapter XVA
Judicial Service Commission
Chapter XVI
The Superior Courts
Chapter XVII
Finance
Chapter XVIIA
146[CHAPTER XVII a
Chapter XVIII
Public Security
Chapter XVIIIA
National Police Commission
Chapter XIX
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration
Chapter XIXA
Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption
Chapter XIXB
National Procurement Commission
Chapter XX
General
Chapter XXI
Transitional Provisions
Chapter XXII
Interpretation
Chapter XXIII
Repeal
Chapter XXIV