Emergency Regulations approved

THE Emergency Regulations were approved at a special session of Parliament yesterday for a further period of one month by a majority of 103 votes.

Government, United National Party, Jathika Hela Urumaya, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) rebel group Members voted for the extension of the Emergency (124 votes) while the Tamil National Alliance, Upcountry People's Front and the UNP's Mano Ganeshan voted against (21 votes).

The SLMC (Hakeem group) abstained. Parliament convened for the special session yesterday at 9.30 a.m. to ratify the Presidential Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency.

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga invoked provisions of the Public Security Ordinance declaring a State of Emergency on August 13 immediately after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Article 155 paragraph 4, sub paragraph (11) of the Constitution requires that a proclamation be issued for the meeting of Parliament within 10 days of such proclamation.

Accordingly, President Kumaratunga has issued a special gazette notification No.1406/2 summoning Parliament on August 18 in terms of Section 155(4) (11) of the Constitution read with Section 70 to inform it about the proclamation of a State of Emergency by her by special gazette notification No.1405/13 dated August 13, 2005.

This is in terms of powers vested in her by the Public Security Act.