Emergency extended

Essential services to continue

The State of Public Emergency has been extended, with an Extraordinary Gazette notification issued under the signature of the President’s Secretary, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The proclamation was made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in terms of the powers vested in him under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40), as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988. The order declares that the provisions of Part II of the Ordinance are to come into operation throughout the country.

In a parallel move, the Extraordinary Gazette notification declaring a wide range of sectors as essential services has also been extended once again. These include electricity, fuel, health services, transport, roads, water supply, food distribution, District and Divisional Secretariats and their field officers, ambulance services, the Central Bank, State banks and insurance services, irrigation, telecommunications and media, land reclamation, agriculture and agricultural insurance.

The development follows remarks made early yesterday (2) by Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who confirmed that the Government is considering extending the nationwide State of Public Emergency after it lapsed on 28 February.

Addressing a media briefing at the Government Information Department, Dr. Jayatissa said that attention had been focused on re-imposing the Emergency Regulations, which expired at midnight on 28 February.

He acknowledged that no extension had been granted immediately after the deadline, resulting in the termination of the powers previously vested in the Commissioner General of Essential Services.

Responding to questions from journalists, Dr. Jayatissa said a proposal seeking Parliamentary approval to extend the emergency is expected to be presented next week. While no specific date has yet been finalised, he indicated that the matter is likely to be taken up in Parliament in the coming week.

Source - The Morning