GCE O/L Civic Education cheat sheet

Citizenship is the legal bond between a person and a state, carrying rights, duties and protection.

Sri Lankan citizenship is acquired by descent, by registration, or by naturalisation under the Citizenship Act.

Dual citizenship is restricted; citizens who voluntarily acquire another nationality may lose Sri Lankan citizenship unless an exception applies.

A citizen's core duties include obeying the law, paying taxes, respecting others' rights, protecting public property and defending the country.

Civic virtue means acting for the common good beyond legal obligation, e.g. volunteering, blood donation, community shramadana work.

Distinguish citizen (full membership) from resident (presence) and from alien (foreign national without membership).

Voting, holding public office and obtaining a passport are rights generally reserved to citizens.

Good citizenship is assessed by participation: obeying law, tolerance of diversity, environmental care and honest use of public services.

Every right creates a corresponding duty: freedom of speech entails the duty not to defame or incite violence.

Rights are classified as civil, political, economic, social and cultural; all are interdependent and indivisible.

Responsibilities include respecting others' rights, obeying just laws, paying taxes, caring for family dependants and safeguarding the environment.

Rights may be limited by law only when the limitation is reasonable, necessary and proportionate in a democratic society.

Abuse of a right (e.g. spreading falsehoods) is not protected; the remedy is legal action, not removal of the right itself.

Children's responsibilities grow with age and capacity; parents bear primary responsibility for minors.

Civic responsibility extends to public property, shared spaces, and honest reporting to authorities.

Conflict between rights is resolved by balancing interests, often through courts and legislation.

A constitution is the supreme law establishing state structure, powers, and the rights of the people.

Any law inconsistent with the Constitution is void to the extent of inconsistency; judicial review enforces this supremacy.

The rule of law means everyone, including officials, is subject to law; no arbitrary power; laws are public, prospective and equally applied.

Key rule-of-law elements: legality, equality before the law, due process, independent judiciary, and accountability of the executive.

Constitutional amendments usually require special majorities (e.g. two-thirds) and sometimes referendum approval.

Separation of powers divides authority among legislature, executive and judiciary to prevent concentration and tyranny.

Checks and balances allow each organ to limit the others, e.g. courts review legislation; legislature approves budgets.

Constitutional supremacy differs from parliamentary supremacy: under the former, courts may strike down unconstitutional statutes.

The legislature (Parliament) makes laws, approves the budget, and holds the executive accountable through questions and committees.

The executive implements laws and policy; in Sri Lanka the President is head of state and head of government, with a Cabinet of Ministers.

The judiciary interprets law and adjudicates disputes independently, free from executive or legislative direction.

Independent commissions (e.g. elections, police, public service, bribery) reduce political interference in sensitive functions.

The Auditor General audits public accounts; the Attorney General advises and prosecutes on behalf of the state.

The public service implements policy impartially and continuously, regardless of which government is in power.

Deconcentration and devolution distribute administrative power to provinces and local authorities.

Institutional accountability requires transparency, records, audits and the possibility of legal challenge.

Democracy combines popular sovereignty, majority rule with minority protection, periodic free elections, and rule of law.

Key electoral principles: universal adult suffrage, secret ballot, one person one vote, periodic elections, and independent administration.

Sri Lanka uses proportional representation with a preferential vote in multi-member districts for parliamentary elections.

The Elections Commission registers voters, delimits constituencies, conducts elections and declares results independently.

Election offences include bribery, impersonation, undue influence, illegal posters, and misuse of state resources.

Political participation includes voting, campaigning, joining parties, contacting representatives, petitioning, and peaceful protest.

Civil society, media and trade unions act as watchdogs, promoting transparency and public debate.

Free and fair elections require a level playing field: fair media access, campaign finance rules, and peaceful conditions.

Fundamental rights are constitutionally guaranteed and enforceable in courts, typically by writ or fundamental rights application.

Core freedoms: speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, religion, occupation, and protection from discrimination.

Article 12 guarantees equality before the law and non-discrimination on grounds of race, religion, caste, sex or place of birth.

Article 13 protects against arbitrary arrest, torture, and retrospective punishment; ensures fair trial and presumption of innocence.

Restrictions must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate.

Remedies include habeas corpus, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and compensation for violation.

Rights of arrested persons: be informed of the reason, consult a lawyer, be produced before a magistrate promptly.

Fundamental rights bind the state and its organs; horizontal application between private parties is limited.

The national flag contains the lion, four bo leaves, and vertical bands of green and orange beside maroon.

The national anthem 'Sri Lanka Matha' is sung in Sinhala and Tamil; it symbolises national unity.

The national flower is the blue water lily (Nil Manel); the national tree is the na tree; the national bird is the jungle fowl.

National symbols express sovereignty, unity and shared identity; they are protected by law and custom.

Cultural heritage includes archaeological sites, ancient cities, temples, and intangible heritage such as dance, drumming and crafts.

The Archaeological Heritage Ordinance protects antiquities; export or damage of antiquities is an offence.

Cultural identity is plural: Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and other communities contribute to national heritage.

Respect for symbols and heritage includes responsible tourism and prevention of vandalism and illicit trafficking.

The family is the primary social institution for care, socialisation, and transmission of values.

Functions of the family: reproduction, economic support, emotional security, education, and protection of dependants.

Community institutions include village councils, cooperatives, schools, and voluntary associations that build social capital.

Religion provides moral guidance, identity, and welfare services; freedom of religion protects belief, practice and propagation.

Social harmony requires tolerance, dialogue, and rejection of discrimination and communal violence.

Social problems such as domestic violence, child abuse, and drug use are addressed by law, welfare services and community action.

Marriage, inheritance and family relations are governed by general law and personal laws, subject to constitutional equality.

Civil society organisations and religious bodies contribute to disaster relief, education and welfare.

Criminal law addresses offences against the state and society; civil law resolves disputes between private parties.

Burden of proof: beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases; balance of probabilities in civil cases.

Courts hierarchy includes Magistrate's Courts, District Courts, High Courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court exercises fundamental rights jurisdiction and final appellate authority.

The Court of Appeal issues writs: habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition, quo warranto.

Due process requires notice, hearing, impartial tribunal, and reasoned decision.

Legal aid and the Attorney General's Department support access to justice for the indigent and the state.

Punishments include fines, imprisonment, suspended sentences, and community-based correction; the aim includes deterrence, rehabilitation and public protection.

Public administration implements government policy through ministries, departments and local authorities.

Principles include legality, impartiality, efficiency, transparency, accountability and service orientation.

Public servants are expected to be politically neutral, honest, and responsive to citizens' needs.

Citizens have the right to information from public authorities, subject to limited exemptions under the Right to Information Act.

Public services include health, education, transport, water, electricity and social welfare.

Bribery and corruption in public office are offences; the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption enforces them.

Administrative fairness requires reasons for decisions, opportunity to be heard, and avenues of appeal.

Local authorities (municipal councils, urban councils, pradeshiya sabhas) deliver local services under devolved powers.

Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.

Its three pillars: economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.

Sri Lanka's economy relies on agriculture, tourism, textiles, and remittances; diversification and productivity raise resilience.

Environmental protection instruments include environmental impact assessment, protected areas, and pollution control licences.

Key environmental issues: deforestation, waste management, water pollution, coastal erosion, and climate change.

Sustainable practices: renewable energy, recycling, water conservation, organic farming, and sustainable tourism.

The Central Environmental Authority regulates pollution; the Forest and Wildlife Departments protect natural heritage.

Economic policy tools include fiscal policy (tax and spending) and monetary policy (interest rates and money supply).

Foreign policy goals include national security, economic development, and international cooperation.

Sri Lanka is a member of the UN, SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Diplomacy uses negotiation, treaties, and multilateral forums to resolve disputes peacefully.

Global citizenship involves awareness of global issues, respect for human rights, and action on shared problems.

The UN Charter prohibits aggression and promotes peaceful settlement of disputes and human rights.

Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030) provide 17 global targets, including poverty, education, and climate action.

International humanitarian law protects non-combatants and limits methods of warfare under the Geneva Conventions.

Global challenges-climate change, pandemics, migration, terrorism-require cooperation beyond national borders.