State of Emergency declared in Sri Lanka

A special gazette notice has been issued declaring a state of emergency throughout the island with effect from today (July 18).

In accordance with Article 40(1)(C) of the Constitution Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared a state of emergency in accordance with the powers assigned to him in Section 2 (Chapter 40) of the Public Security Ordinance. , as amended by Act No. 8 of 1959, Law No. 6 of 1978 and Act No. 28 of 1988.

It states that the State of Public Emergency in Sri Lanka has been declared to protect public safety, public order and maintain essential supplies and services for the life of the community.