The President has issued a special gazette notification enforcing the state of emergency throughout the island.

 The Department of Government Information stated that the state of emergency will be declared island wide from April 01 (yesterday) as per the gazette notification issued by the President.

The statement said the move was in line with the powers vested in the President under the Public Security Act to ensure public safety and the well-being of the country, as well as to ensure the continuation of essential supplies and services to the lives of the people, in the event of a public emergency in the country.

Meanwhile,the Ministry of Public Security says that steps have been taken to tighten security in several places based on the intelligence received.

Retired Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekera, Minister of Public Defense said that the relevant departments have been instructed to take necessary steps in this regard.

 The Minister stated that he respects the constitutional of the people to protest peacefully.

However, the Minister of Public Defense, retired Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekera has stated that the law will be enforced against those who act in a manner that damage public property.

Also, The curfew imposed on all police areas in the Western Province from 12.00 midnight yesterday (01) was lifted at 6.00 am today (02), the Police Media Spokesman’s Office stated.