The President has taken over extraordinary powers by declaring emergency regulations in the pretext of protecting consumers, the National People's Power (NPP) said yesterday.
NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament that emergency regulations were not required to control the prices of sugar and rice and that there were provisions of the other Acts for that purpose.
He said the President could have used section 17 of the Public Security Ordinance instead of declaring regulations under section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance, which provides extraordinary powers for the President.
Speaking during the debate on emergency regulations, he said the President used provisions of the Essential Public Services Act (No. 61 of 1979) to declare essential food supply and Consumer Affairs Authority Act to declare maximum price for sugar and rice and added that he had not used provisions of the emergency regulations for this.
“Raids on sugar and rice storages were also conducted under the provisions of the CAA Act. Declaring emergency regulations were not required for any of these,” he said.
MP Dissanayake said declaration of emergency regulations under section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance would empower the President to act beyond normal laws of the country, which was a dangerous move.
“He can suspend certain laws and pass new laws through emergency regulations. Anyone can be arrested without a warrant and detain without being produced in court. He can take over assets except lands. Any property or location can be inspected without a court order. Public protests can be prevented. Are all these laws needed to control sugar and rice prices,” he asked.
He said the President wanted more powers to serve the people “He wanted a two-thirds majority and it was given. He wanted 20th Amendment enacted, it was also done. Now, he wants even state emergency to rule the country,” he charged.(Daily Mirror)