President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has taken steps to impose a state of emergency with effect from today (01).
The relevant gazette notification has been issued by the Secretary to the President on the orders of the President.
The President has taken this step as he intends to do so in the event of a public emergency in Sri Lanka to ensure public safety and the well-being of the country and to maintain the essential supplies and services to public life.
Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance allows the President to declare a state of emergency on two conditions.
In the opinion of the President, it is to safeguard public safety and public order, or to maintain the essential supplies and services to the lives of the people.
Following is the Emergency Law Gazette issued today.