Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Wednesday, 27 July 2022 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The MPs of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are set to unanimously vote against the emergency law during today’s parliamentary session.
The decision was made yesterday during a meeting between the party’s working committee and its parliamentary group. The party said the Government is attempting to continue the imposed emergency regulations to suppress the freedom of expression and the right to dissent and therefore its members will vote against it.
The party releasing a statement said it was also decided the SJB will not be part of an oppressive Government which is both directly and indirectly unleashing State terrorism on the country’s people while failing to provide solutions to the issues faced by them.
The SJB said however the party will support the establishment of a committee system in Parliament in order to seek solutions to the main issues faced by the people. SJB sources said the party will not accept any Cabinet positions and will continue to function as the Opposition on behalf of the people and their wellbeing.
The Parliament will today take up for debate and vote on the continuity of the State of Emergency declared by President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 17 July. Chief Opposition Whip Kandy District SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella recently said all Opposition MPs had been asked to be present in Parliament today. “I have written to all MPs and asked them to be present in Parliament during the vote,” he said.
According to Kiriella, it is clear how the Government plans to make use of the emergency regulations. “We witnessed how the police and the security forces assaulted the protestors at the Galle Face Green.
This is a foreshadow of what’s to come,” he said. Kiriella said it is therefore the duty of all parliamentarians to uphold the rule of law and democratic principles against the continuation of emergency regulations. (MB)
