Sri Lanka: President extends state of emergency through July 22 /update 1

Event

President Maithripala Sirisena announced an extension to the state of emergency for another month in an address on Saturday, June 22. The decree, which grants additional powers to police and security forces, including the ability to detain and arrest suspects without court orders, is able to be extended for one month until July 22. The Sri Lankan parliament must ratify the decree within ten days. Continued heightened security measures, including checkpoints and security operations, are likely nationwide.

Context

A series of coordinated bombings struck Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday (April 21), killing at least 258 people, including 40 foreign nationals, and wounding approximately 500 others. Churches and prominent hotels in Colombo, Negombo, and Batticaloa were targeted in the attacks. Authorities blamed a local Islamist group, National Thowheeth Jama'ath, for the attacks, claiming that the group planned the bombings with assistance from an international terrorist organization. The Islamic State (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack via its media arm on April 23.

Advice

Individuals in Sri Lanka are advised to monitor the situation, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments, and anticipate heightened security measures.