24 The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (2) Upon such assumption of office the President shall cease to hold any other office created or by the Constitution and if he is a Member of Parliament, shall vacate his seat in Parliament. The President shall not hold any other office or place of profit whatsoever. 26 (3) The President shall, by virtue of his office attend Parliament once in every three months. In the discharge of this function the President shall be entitled to all the privileges, immunities and powers of a Member of Parliament, other than the entitlement to vote, and shall not be liable for any breach of the privileges of Parliament or of its members. 27 (4) The President shall by virtue of his office, also have the right to address and send messages to Parliament. Powers and functions of the President 28 [33. In addition to the powers and functions expressly conferred on or assigned to him by the Constitution or by any written law, the President shall have the power (a) to make the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament at the commencement of each session of Parliament; (b) to preside at ceremonial sittings of Parliament; (c) to ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections, at the request of the Election Commission; (d) to receive and recognize and to appoint and accredit Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Plenipotentiaries and other diplomatic agents; (e) to appoint as President’s Counsel, attorneys-atlaw who have reached eminence in the profession and have maintained high standards of conduct and professional rectitude. Every President’s Counsel appointed under this paragraph shall be entitled to all such privileges as were hitherto enjoyed by a Queen’s Counsel; (f) to keep the Public Seal of the Republic, and to make and execute under the Public Seal the acts of appointment of the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Chief 26 - Substituted by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 3(1). 27 - Inserted by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 3(2). 28 - Substituted by the Twentieth Amendment to the Constitution Sec. 3.