29 May 2019 10:33 pm
Opposition MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage today said some vested parties; both local and international wanted to get the state of emergency lifted when the security situation has not yet been fully restored.
Addressing a news briefing held at the Opposition Leader’s office, the MP said the government had been pressurized by the western countries to lift the emergency.
“At the most recent party leaders meeting, which held under the chair of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, we discussed as to how some ministers have urged the government to get the emergency law lifted. We can’t allow this when the security has not yet been fully restored,” he said.
While stating that they were not against the extension of emergency, the MP however said it was the duty of the government to get the extension passed in parliament. “They brought it in parliament and it is their duty and responsibility to get it passed,” the MP said responding to criticisms as to why the Opposition was not keen on supporting the extension of emergency in parliament.
“Our stance is that the emergency law should not be lifted. But it's the government which should get it passed,” he reiterated.
The extension of emergency law was passed in the parliament with only 22 MPs voting for it. The eight TNA MPs voted against the extension.(Lahiru Pothmulla)