JO calls for Emergency to continue

 MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage addressing the media yesterday 

– Pic by Lasantha Kumara

• Despite President’s move to end Emergency, JO argues lifting Emergency law will slow down investigations 
• Says necessary sacrifice until public has confidence in national security 
• Warns if Emergency law lifted too soon, county could face long-term security challenges 

By Nuwan Senarathna 

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday called on the Government to continue Emergency regulations, arguing such a move would support national security by enabling the military to continue its operations and bolster public confidence.  

President Maithripala Sirisena declared a State of Emergency, giving powers to the military to arrest suspects following the Easter Sunday attack. Extension of State of Emergency was passed in Parliament on Friday with 22 votes for and eight votes against, following a request made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). However, JO MPs were not present in Parliament when voting took place. 

During a meeting with Colombo-based diplomats on Monday, the President announced that he would allow Emergency laws to lapse within a month as the security situation was back to normal. 

Speaking to media at the Opposition Leader’s office, MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage argued national security had not returned to normalcy and State of Emergency regulations should not be lifted at the moment. 

He noted military personnel had helped Police with ongoing search operations and their involvement had helped the public feel safe. Following the Easter Sunday attack, military personnel were deployed to carry out a search operations and provide security to schools and religious places around the country. 

“It is too early to lift State of Emergency. Search operations are still going on, therefore if the Government lifts the State of Emergency that could slow down the investigations as the military will not be able to support investigations anymore,” he said. 

Aluthgamage acknowledged the continuation of Emergency regulations might affect the county’s economy as such regulation could signal that Sri Lanka had not recovered from the Easter Sunday attack and national security had not returned to normalcy. He admitted it could also slow down relaxation of travel advisories but argued that this was a time to focus on long-term security goals.  

“It is obvious with Emergency Regulations in effect tourists will not arrive in Sri Lanka, which will pose challenges to the industry’s recovery in the coming months. We might have to tighten our belts for a few months but once we return to normalcy we can bounce back. It would be much worse if another attack were to take place because Emergency Regulations are lifted too soon.” 

When asked why JO members were absent during the vote to extend Emergency regulations, Aluthgamage said it was the Government’s responsibility to extend Emergency regulations and therefore it was the Government’s duty to vote in favor of extension of Emergency law.