E/CN.4/1995/91/Add.1 page 98 and shall take effective steps in the field of teaching, education and information in order to eliminate discrimination and prejudice (art. 27 (5) of the Constitution). Furthermore, article 27 (11) of the Constitution states that the State shall create the necessary economic and social environment to enable people of religious faiths to make a reality of their religious principles. Within this policy framework, the fundamental rights chapter of the Constitution contains a number of specific articles which seek to protect religious freedom. Article 10 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom of thought, conscience and religion to every person in Sri Lanka. Article 12 (2) provides that no citizen shall be discriminated against on grounds of religion. Article 12 (13) provides that no person shall be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to access to shops, public restaurants, hotels or places of public entertainment on grounds of religion. Article 14 guarantees the freedom to manifest a religion or belief by practice. Article 15 (2) states that freedom of speech and publication may be restricted in the interest of racial and religious harmony. This provision is particularly important since it recognizes that partisan and defamatory speeches which might incite religious antagonism and hatred must be prevented in a multireligious society. Remedies 1. Supreme Court jurisdiction Article 17 read together with article 126 of the Constitution provides for the enforcement of these rights. Infringement or imminent infringement of these rights whether by executive or administrative action is justiciable in the highest court in the land and the court has a wide discretion with regard to the relief it may grant. It is noteworthy, however, that there has not been a single allegation of discrimination on the ground of religion before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. This is eloquent testimony to the high degree of religious tolerance which prevails in Sri Lanka. 2. The Commission for the Elimination of Discrimination and Monitoring of Fundamental Rights Apart from the Supreme Court, the Commission for the Elimination of Discrimination and Monitoring of Fundamental Rights has the authority to hear and adjudicate upon allegations of religious discrimination by means of mediation and conciliation. Where settlement is not possible it is authorized to report the matter to the President. The Commission in 1992 heard seven complaints of religious discrimination out of a total of 882 complaints. According to the Director of Human Rights, religious discrimination was not established in any of the cases.

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