Emergency extended in Sri Lanka for another month

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 March 2008, 07:26 GMT]
The Sri Lanka's parliament Wednesday adopted the motion extending the State of Emergency for another month by a majority of 88 votes. 102 parliamentarians voted for the motion and 14 against, parliamentary sources said. Parliamentarians of the main opposition United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) were not present in the parliament when the motion was put to vote.

Parliamentarians of the ruling United Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) voted with the government. Fourteen parliamentarians of the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchchi (ITAK) who were present in the house at that time voted against the motion.

The country is under the State of Emergency since August 2005.