Emergency to go soon

Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne yesterday told Parliament that the government has already taken measures after consulting the Security Council to repeal the Emergency regulations soon.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne

The Prime Minister was presenting the motion to extend the State of Emergency by another one month. Premier Jayaratne also stated that the government was taking measures to move the necessary motions in Parliament, in this respect without delay.

He also stated that the Emergency regulations imposed on August 13 and continued were scaled down by a gazette notification on May 02, 2010. With this notification several clauses of the State of Emergency were repealed and most of the other clauses were amended for the public welfare following the elimination of LTTE terrorism on May 19, 2009.

The Prime Minister further stated since then the State of Emergency was extended to maintain national security and public security.

He added that even by now the State of Emergency with a few clauses is extended for the defence of several economically vital institutions and other similar establishments in Colombo. The Premier further stated it was very significant that the people in the North used their vote after 30 years at the Local Government election to establish democracy in the country.

He added that it was a clear indication that they have understood, nothing would be gained by means of terrorism. The Prime Minister further stated that although certain groups attempted to claim this election was corrupt or unfair, the public kept their trust in the government and ‘we were able to secure a resounding victory.’ The Prime Minister also stated that 8,491 former LTTE combatants were integrated into society after rehabilitation.

There are only 3,173 currently being rehabilitated and they would be reintegrated into society soon. The Prime Minister further stated that although ‘LTTE terrorism is eliminated from our soil certain pro LTTE groups are attempting to breathe new life into the outfit operating from overseas.

‘Father S J Emmanuel of Global Tamil Forum, V Rudrakumaran of Transitional Government of Tamil Eelam, Suren Sevendran of British Tamil Forum and Nediyaran faction of Tamil National Council are trying to tarnish the image of the government.

He also said inimical forces against Sri Lanka also used Channel 4 towards the same end. He added the report published by the Defence Ministry and the documentary video would counter the Channel 4 video.

The Prime Minister further said the Security Forces are still recovering hauls of weapons hidden by the LTTE and still investigations are in progress to arrest LTTE cardres who had fled from the North during the humanitarian operation. On these grounds, the Prime Minister requested members of Parliament to support the motion to extend the State of Emergency by another month.