SJB slams Govt. over emergency rule, disaster response, and delay in Auditor General appointment

Borella Electoral Organiser Rajitha Lakmal says State of Emergency should have been invoked under Disaster Management Act, not Public Security Ordinance Flags contradiction between extended State of Emergency and Defence Secretary's claim of no disaster situation Warns prolonged vacancy of Auditor General is hurting governance and international confidence

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THE main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday slammed the Government for its handling of the Ditwah-related crisis, imposing and extending the State of Public Emergency, and failing to appoint an Auditor General.

Addressing the media at the SJB headquarters yesterday, Borella Electoral Organiser and Attorney-at-Law Rajitha Lakmal said: "Due to the contradictory actions of the administration led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the country has lost opportunities it rightfully deserves, hindering its progress. Following the catastrophic situation that arose in the country, President Dissanayake declared a State of Emergency. However, prior to this declaration, it was Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who first called for a State of Emergency to be imposed. The Opposition also stated that any emergency regulations should be brought under the Disaster Management Act. The Government failed to give due consideration to these proposals and instead proceeded to impose emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance."

He pointed out that under the law, the proclamation of a State of Emergency must be presented to Parliament within one month and approved. Steps have since been taken to extend the state of emergency for a further month under the Public Security Ordinance.