When Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka on 22 May 1972, Gopallawa became the first President. He stepped down from office in February 1978 when then Prime Minister Junius Richard Jayewardene became President following constitutional changes that effected the creation of an executive Presidency.
The first amendment grants the right to freedoms concerning religion, the expression of religion, the assembly of religion and the right to petition religion. It also forbids congress from promoting one religion over another as well as preventing the restriction of an individual’s religious practices.
