Sri Lanka parliament passed the State of Emergency for 30 days since it was declared with 120 votes in favour of the law against 63 votes today (27).
Accordingly, it was passed by a majority of 57 votes. The Parliament was subsequently adjourned until August 09, 2022.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, when he was the acting president, declared the State of Emergency on July 18 amid youth-led protesters occupying presidential palace, secretariat, prime minister’s official residence and the office ahead of a crucial parliament vote to elect the president, citing there was undue pressure on parliamentarians in choosing the new president.
Wickremesinghe later was elected as the president on July 20.
The State of Emergency gives wide powers for police and military to deal with people when they feel there is a threat to the state or national security.
It is stated in the gazette that this proclamation has been issued in accordance with the powers vested in the President in terms of the Public Security Ordinance to ensure public security and the protection of the public order and the maintenance supplies and services essential to the life of community.
