War over but emergency remains, says Bradman Weerakoon

(April 01, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) “The war situation is over, but the emergency regulations remain,” said Bradman Weerakoon, senior civil servant and former secretary to the Prime Minister recently.

Mr. Weerakoon was expressing his views at the discussion on the Governance Report 2009 compiled by Transparency International Sri Lanka held in Colombo.

The event was held with the participation of intellectuals and officials attached to Transparency International.

The Governance Report 2009 was unveiled last year, coinciding with the International Anti Corruption Day which fell on December 9.

The review of the Governance Report 2009 was made by Mr. Weerakoon who said:

“The LTTE has been eliminated. The war situation is over, But emergency regulations remain. I don't think that a single emergency regulation has been withdrawn. Everything remains.

“You can be arrested without being taken to a magistrate. You can be detained for various periods of time under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

“The situation continues even though the war is over.”