63.
| (1) Where on the date of operation of this Act there is any appeal pending before the Board of Review in terms of the provisions of section 53 of the Agricultural Lands Law, No. 42 of 1973, such appeal shall be heard and concluded by an officer specially appointed for the purpose. |
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| (2) Where an officer appointed under subsection (1), vacates his office by reason of death, resignation, removal from office, absence abroad or illness, there shall be appointed a person to succeed him for the balance period of his term of office. |
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| (3) An officer appointed under the provisions of subsection (1) shall, unless he vacates office, hold office for a period of two years: Provided that-
| | (a) an officer appointed in place of an officer who has died, resigned or has been removed from office under subsection (2) shall hold office for the un-expired term of office of the last-mentioned person ; and | | |
| | (b) an officer appointed to act for an officer who is absent abroad or ill, shall hold office for the period of absence or illness of the last-mentioned person. | | |
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| (4) An officer vacating office by effluxion of time shall be eligible for reappointment. |
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| (5) Every officer so appointed shall in respect of every appeal heard by him keep a record of all such proceedings as relates to that appeal. |
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| (6) An officer may examine any witness on oath or if he thinks fit so to do may summon any person to appear before him or to produce any document which may in his opinion be relevant. |
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| (7) If any person upon whom a summons has been issued-
| | (a) fails without reasonable cause to appear before such officer at the time and place mentioned in the summons ; or | | |
| | (b) refuses without reasonable cause to be sworn or having been duly sworn, refuses or fails without reasonable cause to answer any question put to him by such officer or wilfully gives a false answer to any such question ; or | | |
| | (c) refuses or fails without reasonable cause to produce before such officer any documents which are in his possession and which he has been required to produce, | | |
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| (8) An officer may on any appeal made under this section, confirm or vary the determination or decision from which such appeal is made, and the decision of such officer on such appeal shall be final. |
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Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts