42 The Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka service and shall be entitled to revert to such service without loss of seniority upon his so ceasing to hold office as Secretary. (5) The proviso to paragraph (4) of this Article shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to a Secretary to a Ministry upon – (a) the President terminating his services, otherwise than by dismissal on disciplinary grounds; or (b) his resignation, unless disciplinary proceedings are pending or contemplated against him on the date of his resignation. (6) For the purposes of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this Article, any person who has continuously held the office of Secretary to the President, Secretary to a Ministry or any other office in the President’s staff or any one or more of such offices shall be deemed to have continuously held the office which such person last held. (7) For the purposes of this Article – (a) the Office of the Secretary-General of Parliament, the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman), the Public Service Commission, the Election Commission, the National Police Commission and the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers; and (b) the National Audit Office, shall be deemed not to be departments of Government. Official oath or affirmation 53. A person appointed to any office referred to in this Chapter shall not enter upon the duties of his office until such person takes and subscribes the oath or makes and subscribes the affirmations set out in the Fourth Schedule and Seventh Schedule.]