• Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath cites upcoming P’ment Poll as a case in point

Defending the recent gazette notification issued by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, calling for the armed forces to maintain public order, the Government clarified that it was intended to establish the legal framework for deploying the military in case of emergencies, particularly with the upcoming Parliamentary Election.

During a media briefing yesterday (1), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Herath was queried about the reason behind the President's decision to issue the gazette. He responded that this gazette is a routine measure issued monthly, not something newly initiated by President Dissanayake. "This gazette notification allows the deployment of the armed forces in case of an emergency. It has been issued every month." When questioned as to whether the National People's Power Government would use this gazette notification to suppress protests, as previous administrations had done in the recent past, he said that neither the President nor the Government intends to do anything of that sort. "An Election period is coming forth. None of us can predict the emergence of an emergency situation. This gazette was issued to be prepared for such instances if they arise."

The gazette issued by President Dissanayake on 27 September called on members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to maintain public security in administrative districts and adjacent territorial waters. The issuance of the relevant gazette has attracted criticism and attention from several parties including human rights activists. Attorney and former Human Rights Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan, taking to the social media platform X, said: “Deeply disappointing that President Dissanayake has used Section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance to call out the armed forces to maintain public order. It is unnecessary and a continuation of the militarisation of policing.”