Emergency in Sri Lanka to continue till President returns

In Sri Lanka, the state of emergency will continue for few more days as President Maithripala Sirisena is on visit abroad and the gazette to end the emergency will be signed upon his return.

Secretary to the President Austin Fernando told our correspondent that the Gazette is ready and will be signed by President on his return on Saturday or latest by Monday.

Sri Lankan government has imposed a week emergency last Tuesday in wake of violence against minority Muslim community in Kandy district. The emergency period is coming to an end tonight but it can’t be ended technically.

The situation in Kandy district has been returning to normal but the restrictions on social media continues. Government is divided on the issue as several ministers and MPs have advocated for end of ban. In late evening decision, government decided to lift ban on Viber from tonight but restrictions on Facebook and WhatsApp continues.