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Lifting Emergency regulations:
Bouquets from all
Daily News News Desk
The public has a major responsibility to obey law and order in the
country with the lifting of the Emergency regulations, Power and Energy
Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.
"President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given the answer to the allegations
made by Opposition parties regarding Emergency regulations by repealing
them," Ranawaka said.
"Allegations were made against the government that it uses Emergency
regulations to suppress the masses, specially youths, to suppress
protests and strikes launched by the people and that it has failed to
bring a political solution to the ethnic conflict though two years had
elapsed since the end of war, the minister said.
He said the parties who did not agree with the Emergency regulations
have not paid attention to how to preserve law and order and how to
create sustainable peace in the country.
Measures taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to repeal Emergency
regulations in the country is a good reply to the parties who are
against the government, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development
Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said.
"This can also be called a historic event," Dr Senaratne said.
"There are several LTTE friendly groups functioning overseas. This
was one reason for the government to extend the Emergency regulations,"
he added. "Several parties said that the government was not strong
enough to maintain law and order in the country. They said the
government was trying to suppress public views by suppressing protests
and strikes using the Emergency regulations," Dr Senaratne said.
"The President has given the most correct answer to questions of the
Opposition. We believe that the public will receive more benefits and
they will not be a threat to the country's law and order," he said.
Lifting the emergency regulations is another promise fulfilled by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This will be a blow to international forces
accusing of human right violations, National Languages and Social
Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said.
Around 6,000 persons in custody under the Emergency regulations will
be released. Public rights such as pasting posters and demonstration
will be possible with the relaxation of emergency law, he said.
"While the people gain the right of living in peace the Opposition
loses another trump card that they used against the government," the
minister said.
"The lifting of emergency regulations is a significant step taken by
President Mahinda Rajapaksa towards normalizing the life of the people
of the country, Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Kumara Dissanayake
said.
"The government decided to lift the emergency despite conspiracies
against the country locally and internationally. The President took this
decision having full confidence in the civil society which is duty bound
to protect the motherland from external and internal threats,"
Dissanayake said.
"Our government has succeeded in protecting law and order and peace
through rules and regulations approved by Parliament based on the
constitution.
"Therefore, it is our responsibility to protect the democratic
freedom achieved after many years," he said.
"The government's decision to lift the emergency regulations is a
good move," Sri Lanka Independent Railway Workers' Union secretary
Nadeera Manoj said.
"We must thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for lifting the state of
Emergency.
"This decision will help boost the country's image internationally.
It will also help to improve ties among all communities," he said.
The decision to lift emergency regulations by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa is a move that should be hailed by all, Lanka Private Bus
Owners' Association President Gemunu Wijeratne said.
"This is a clear indication of the country returning to normality. We
welcome it as a positive signal for the country to prosper," he said. |
