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State of emergency to lapse
The Government will allow the existing state of emergency in 14 districts to lapse automatically and re-impose it depending on the need for such regulations, Constitutional Affairs Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara said yesterday.

He said that according to the constitution, the emergency regulations promulgated by the President on January 6 would automatically lapse on February 6 if they were not extended by a majority vote in Parliament.

Parliament is scheduled to meet only on February 8 and no moves have been made to resummon Parliament earlier than scheduled. Mr. Gunasekara said that as the situation was 'under control' the government did not anticipate any problems in allowing the regulations to lapse. "If the need arises the President will sign a new proclamation reimposing the Emergency Regulations. But this may not be done immediately." The Sunday Times last week exclusively reported details of the regulations which provide wide powers to security forces and police.
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