Invoking provisions of public security, SL Prez Maithripala Sirisena extends ‘state of emergency’

Colombo, June 22: Alert and vigilant, the island nation Sri Lanka has pumped up its security by announcing extension of ‘a state of emergency’ in a surprise move coming by President Maithripala Sirisena. The move comes by going back on its pledge to relax the tough laws introduced after the Easter Sunday attacks that killed 258 people.

 

Announcing state of emergency, Maithripala Sirisena said in a verdict that he believed there was a "public emergency" in the country. Therefore, invoking provisions of the public security act, he has decided on 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 on Saturday. Just over 100 people, including 10 women, are in custody in connection with April's Easter Sunday suicide attacks against three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo.

In May, the Sri Lankan President had informed that the security situation was "99 per cent back to normal" and he would allow the emergency laws to lapse by June 22. He assured diplomats security forces had either detained or killed all those directly involved in the attacks, blamed on a local jihadi group and claimed by the Islamic State group.

There was no immediate word from the government why Sirisena changed his mind, but security remains tight in the capital. The emergency can be declared for a month at a time, and parliament must ratify it within 10 days. The continuation of the emergency came as police announced criminal investigations against several top officers, including the Inspector-General, for negligence and lapses ahead of the bombings.