Seventh Amendment to the Constitution
1983
[Certified on 4th October, 1983]
An Act to Amend the Constitution of The Democratic
Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka as follows:-
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution.
Amendment of Article 5 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
Article 5 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of
Sri Lanka (hereinafter referred to as "the Constitution" ) is hereby
amended as follows:-
(a) by the substitution, for the words " twenty-four", of the words "
twenty-five"; and
(b) by the substitution, for the words " territorial waters", of the
following:-
"territorial waters:
Provided that such administrative districts may be subdivided or
amalgamated so as to constitute different administrative districts, as
Parliament may by resolution determine.".
Amendment of Articles 96 of the Constitution
Articles 96 of the Constitution is hereby amended in paragraph (1) of
that Article, by the substitution, for the words "twenty-four", of the
words "twenty-five".
Insertion of Article 111A in the Constitution
The following Article is hereby inserted immediately after Article 111,
and shall have effect as Article 111A, of the Constitution:-
"Commissioners of the High Court
111A.
(1) Where the Minister in charge of the subject of Justice represents to
the President that it is expedient that the number of the Judges
exercising the jurisdiction and powers of the High Court in any judicial
zone should be temporarily increased, the President may, by warrant,
appoint one or more commissioners of the High Court to exercise the
jurisdiction and powers of the High Court within such judicial zone as
specified in the warrant of appointment of such Commissioner of the High
Court.
(2) Every Commissioner of the High Court appointed under paragraph (1)
shall hold office for the period specified in his warrant of appointment
and shall be removable, and be subject to disciplinary control, by the
President, on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.
(3) Every Commissioner of the High Court appointed under paragraph (1)
may, during his tenure of office, exercise, according to law, such
jurisdiction and powers as is, or are, vested or ordained in the High
Court by Parliament, and shall be invested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and immunities (except such rights and privileges as relate
to tenure of office) of a Judge of the High Court, and for this purpose,
a reference to a "Judge of the High Court" in the Constitution or other
written law shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to
include a reference to a "Commissioner of the High Court".".
Amendment of the First Schedule to the Constitution
The First Schedule to the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:-
(a) by the insertion, immediately after item"10. Jaffna" of that
Schedule, of the following item:-
"11. Kilinochchi"; and
(b) by renumbering of items 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
22, 23 and 24 of that Schedule as items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 respectively, of that Schedule.
