Government extends state of emergency by one month-UNP astained -TNA opposed

Government of Sri Lanka extended the state of emergency by one month has been passed in parliament by a majority of 72 votes. 84 votes were cast in favour of the motion while 20 votes opposed it. The JVP and the NFF voted in favour of the motion together with the government. Only the TNA voted against the motion. UNP parliamentarians were absent in the House at the time of voting.

According to the Sri Lankan Prime minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake that security forces are systematically defeating terrorism. As a result many victories were made in recent times. Mr.Wickremanayake further said 106 members of the three armed forces and the police have sacrificed their lives in the past month’s operations against tiger terrorists. 26 civilians were also killed.

He said Sri Lanka was able to focus attention of the international community on measures to defeat terrorism through the SAARC Summit. He added results of this operation will become important for the entire South Asian region.

Meanwhile parliamentarians pointed out that when troops are successfully advancing the opposition is attempting two strengthen the LTTE by creating various issues such as human rights.Prominent JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the security forces are on a victorious path defeating separatist terrorists.

UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne said he will abstained from voting against the emergency as a mark of respect to brave soldiers.