Thumbs-up for lifting Emergency

Turning point towards development:

Unwavering commitment to democracy:

Daily News News Desk

The lifting of the state of Emergency on Thursday by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was warmly welcomed by a wide cross-section of Sri Lankan society, including the clergy, important public figures in the Tamil and Muslim communities, Ministers of state, the intelligentsia and public officials.

The following opinions emerged from a wide-ranging survey conducted by us at the News Desk:

The Ven Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathana Thera, Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenepura University and Chief Incumbent Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara: It is a huge freedom from the point of view of the people. The state of Emergency came into the scene due to the 30 years of terrorism and dragging of the war. Now it is already two years since defeating terrorism. Lifting of the Emergency law is a big step towards empowering democracy within day to day life of the people. Yet the people should not take this valuable step as an opportunity to violate democracy itself. This gives immense freedom for the people to enjoy their human rights, especially conducting mass meetings and gathering information freely.

Ruling a society through tough laws will affect a society physically as well as mentally.

Thus improving social conditions by relaxing this law will surely bring about progress and development.

Rev Fr Benedict Joseph: “I think the entire population were waiting for a long period for this time. The people, though the war is over, felt they were living in an environment of restriction for the last two years. We express our humble happiness for promoting these kind of good moves. We should also not forget as to why the Emergency law came into Sri Lanka.”

Leader of the International Hindu Society Rev Deshabandu Shilva Shri Balaravishankar Kurukkal: “All Sri Lankans should be grateful to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for opening the horizon of freedom by lifting the Emergency regulations. Yet this government used this law to wipe out terrorism.

“People, even in foreign countries, live under suspicion due to terrorism. Recent issues such as the controversial Darusman Report, Channel 4 issue and suspicious character issue are all against the civil law as well. We never thought that we could live under a civil law in our whole lifetime. We, with the security forces and the police, should live in harmony hereafter under civil law rather than tending towards the activities of bringing the Emergency law back again.

“We are one of the most proud countries of Asia having defeated 30 years of war of terrorism with the courage of the President. The lifting of the state of Emergency will help develop all areas in the country. This will strengthen friendship between various segments in our society.

EPDP leader and Traditional and Small Industries Minister Douglous Devananda: Successive governments imposed states of Emergency to maintain law and order in face of terrorist atrocities carried out by the LTTE around the country.

Assistance from the general public is also sine qua non for the maintaining peace in society.

All communities must extend their maximum assistance to the law enforcement authorities to maintain law and order in the country.

Leader of Pathmanabha Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front Vardharajah Perumal: “We welcome the President’s announcement in parliament that has made the people in Sri Lanka free from the draconian rules of Emergency law.”

‘Emergency regulations have been in force for almost three decades except for small intervals. Emergency law was somewhat justified during the height of war on LTTE terrorists.

There were those who used it for indefinite detention and denial of access for the detainees.

‘Many civil society organizations across the country called for the removal of Emergency law after 2009. “We hope that this is a significant step towards the expansion of democratization process and an extended opening to ensure the Rule of law for which all the people of Sri Lanka have been yearning for.

Actors of State should exercise their powers with utmost care with the view of building confidence of people towards the political system.

Political stakeholders to act with responsibility to create a conducive environment for a political solution that is a prerequisite for the country to emerge as a vibrant nation where all communities are living in peace.

Resettlement Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan: This decision is good for the country. “The President is fulfilling his promises one by one. So this is the correct time to lift the emergency as peaceful environment presently prevailing in the country. This is good for all nations living in the country.

The international community will also appreciate this. We can send a good message through this that the lives of all Sri Lankans have returned to normal.

Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana: “It gives a clear message to society that the rumours that were spread saying that the government is purposely creating a troublesome situation in the country to keep the Emergency regulation is false.

If the government wants to have the Emergency regulation it need not have to create a troublesome situation. It has the power to decide whether to have the regulation or not. The trust and the credibility the President has on the people and the peaceful situation in the country is plain to see by this decision.

“As the SLFP Trade Union Federation President and a member of the Muslim community, I thank the President for coming to such a decision.

NPM President Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera: Establishing ordinary law by lifting the decades long Emergency Regulations goes on to indicate stabilization of democracy at an academic level before its transition may be felt on a pragmatic basis.

“This is a bold move by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to remove the regulations. It also signifies things are under control.

“There is an undercurrent of terrorism still in the North and East.

I think President Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa must have reflected on these matters before they decided to remove the Emergency Law,” he said.“One has to wait and see whether it serves democracy on a practical stand point. If it does not seem to work the emergency law has to be reimposed.

Director, Agriculture Education of Peradeniya University Prof Buddhi Marambe: I welcome the move to repeal the Emergency regulations, but the public should not take this for this granted.

I think that the regulations should have been lifted earlier, but this could have been the right time to remove it.

Removing the Emergency law means that ordinary law is in operation and the people are not under any threat of terrorism, this should not be taken for granted.

Lifting of the Emergency law will establish the normal law and order so that no one will be able to take the law into their hands. It is a commendable move by the President to establish new found freedom after the defeat of terrorism.

Assistant Commissioner Sri Lanka Press Council Niroshana Thambawita : “I think lifting the Emergency regulations is a timely move by the government after the end of this 30 year war. For the last 40 or 50 years there has been an ethnic conflict.

Right throughout there has been an environment of fear and hostility. This has affected civilian life, the economy, health and education.

South Asia Sales Manager Buddhika Fernando : “Lifting the Emergency law has enhanced the confidence of the people towards a lasting peace and a better tomorrow. The existence of Emergency regulations generates unnecessary fear in people’s minds.

The lifting of Emergency regulations will make people feel that their neighborhoods are secure and they are living in a violent free society.”

Dr Yousuf K Marikkar: The lifting of state of Emergency will be a good answer to the international community that Sri Lanka is no longer a country that has any emergency situations and will be a democratic country bound to safeguard fundamental rights of all its citizens.

Some organized local and international elements utilized the Emergency law to accuse the Sri Lankan government of trying to suppress opposition forces.

Even recent incidents like suspicious characters also pressurized the government through this claim.

“This was the correct time to lift the Emergency.

After the dawn of peace the country is treading towards a rapid economic development and this decision in terms of economy is concerned will be very crucial.