The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the ‘Emergency Regulations’ (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary or the militarisation of the civil administration, General Secretary of the SLFP and the Batik, Handloom Fabric and Local Apparel Product State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

However, he admitted that the emergency regulations had contributed to control the COVID19 pandemic successfully.

“The government’s efforts to contain the pandemic under emergency have shown positive results with the continuous reduction of the number of victims and COVID-19 related deaths. I believe that Sri Lanka would be able to control the pandemic fully and open the country by the end of the month,” he said.

Minister Jayasekara told the media that the militarisation of the public sector was not a good sign in a Parliamentary democracy, as it could discourage public officials and undermine the civil administration.

Responding to a journalist who raised the issue of UNHRC’S negative attitude on Sri Lanka, Minister Jayasekera said the world body had the right to comment on the government of

Sri Lanka’s actions and policies and on human rights etc. But it had no mandate whatsoever to dictate to Sri Lanka.

“A majority of conditions laid down by the UNHRC’S resolution 46/1 on Sri Lanka passed in March this year directly confronts our Constitution, sovereignty and the dignity. Therefore, implementing them is out of question. But Sri Lanka will always respect and safeguard the remedial measures proposed to further improve reconciliation and intercommunal harmony in Sri Lanka while working in close cooperation with the world body’, Mr. Jayasekara stressed.

Sri Lanka’ judiciary was capable of presiding on any HR, FR issue or any other legal problem that relates to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and therefore, foreign tribunals or foreign judges were not necessary to inquire or give judgements on Sri Lanka’s domestic issues, Minister Jayasekara emphasised. (SANDUN A. JAYASEKERA)