Government to extend state of emergency due to current situation: Nalinda

Considering presenting a motion to Parliament to extend state of emergency next week  

By Ajith Siriwardana 

The government is planning to present a motion in Parliament next week to extend the state of emergency, considering the prevailing situation in the country, such as fuel queues, following the outbreak of war in Iran and the Middle East region, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday. 

He told this while responding to a question at a special press briefing at the Government Information Department, whether the government will extend the state of emergency, considering the current situation in the country, as the state of emergency has expired by now after it was extended on February 7 by one month. 

The Minister said sufficient fuel stocks are available in the country, adding that media, social media and people must act with responsibility and understanding at this juncture without creating unnecessary panic. 

He said the war situation will impact the world economy as well as the Sri Lankan economy, and that Sri Lanka needs to work as a country to face it. 

“The conduct of all media and social media is so important. This is not the time to achieve political agendas. The government has issued information on fuel stocks with statistics. It is easy for the government to manage the situation if the media acts responsibly without highlighting fuel queues unnecessarily. No one will benefit by doing so,” he said. 

Minister Jayatissa said if anyone attempted to create unnecessary commotion or unrest, the government would not hesitate to implement the law against them.