Parliament to meet Thursday to approve ER

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 August 2005, 08:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge using her powers conferred on her by the Constitution has reconvened the parliament on Thursday (August 18) by an Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification issued Monday midnight. The sittings of the parliament was put off for 22 August after the conclusion of the two day debate on the P-TOMS last Friday.

The main purpose of this exercise is to obtain the approval of the parliament to the declaration of the Emergency Regulations (ER) by President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge following the killing of Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar, Foreign Minister on Friday midnight, government sources said.

The President under the Constitution is empowered to declare State of Emergency but this declaration should get the approval of the Parliament within ten days, parliamentary sources said.

Meanwhile Mr.W.J.M.Lokubandara, Speaker of the parliament has summoned a meeting of party leaders for Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. in his chamber, sources said.