Sri Lanka parliament debates emergency extension motion

Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister tabled a motion in parliament Wednesday morning seeking the approval to extend the State of Emergency for another month. The State of Emergency was declared on 13th August 2005, a day after the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar, former Foreign Minister in his residence in Colombo. Since then State of Emergency is being extended every month with the approval of parliament.

Mr. Wickremanayake citing reasons for the extension of emergency said the plan of "Sinhala terrorists" in collaboration with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to attack three vital installations in Colombo was thwarted last month. Government security forces have arrested several "Sinhala terrorists" in this regard, he said.

He added about 15 government troops and police were killed in the month of February. 42 civilians were also killed during this period, he said.

He said terrorism could be wiped out only by developing the country irrespective racial and religious differences.

Joseph Michael Perera, chief whip of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) said his party has decided to extend its support to the extension of the State of Emergency for another month.