President Maithripala Sirisena has issued a gazette notification instructing the members of the armed forces to maintain "public order" in the country and adjacent waters.The President had issued these instructions to the Army, Navy, and the Air Force under the Public Security Ordinance.The Ministry of Defense said the Emergency Regulations that was in force in the last four-months since the bombings on April 21 will not be extended.
The Defense Ministry said "in keeping with the powers vested on the President under Section No 12 of the Public Security Ordinance, Security Forces will be utilized to assist the police to maintain public security, law and order in each district."President Maithripala Sirisena declared the state of emergency on April 22, after multiple terror attacks in the country on Easter Sunday killed 258 people and injured over 500.