State of Emergency in Sri Lanka extended by a month
An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued extending the State of Emergency in Sri Lanka by another month with effect from today (July 22).
The relevant proclamation by the President has been issued by the Presidential Secretariat and is signed by the Secretary to the President.
President Maithripala Sirisena said in the decree he believed there was a “public emergency” in the country, and was invoking provisions of the Public Security Act extending the state of emergency.
The tough laws, granting sweeping powers to police and security forces to arrest and detain suspects, were due to expire.
A State of Emergency was declared in the island on April 22, considering the security situation of the country following the Easter Day terror attacks on 04/21.
The emergency was extended by a month on May 22. It was again extended by another month on June 22. It has been extended for the third with effect from today.
The emergency can be declared for a month at a time, and Parliament must ratify it within 10 days.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka turns to Indian and Russian companies to manage Chinese-funded Airport April 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka’s state revenue surges to record Rs. 834 Billion in first quarter 2024 April 26, 2024
- Army soldier killed, 9 injured in Mankulam cab-lorry collision April 26, 2024
- Electricity trade unions to take legal action against Sri Lanka Electricity Bill April 26, 2024
- Gotabaya Rajapaksa refutes Cardinal Ranjith’s allegations on Easter Sunday Attacks April 25, 2024