Sri Lanka under state of emergency

Article 155 of the Constitution provides the formal basis for the declaration of a state of emergency in Sri Lanka. It empowers the President of the Republic to make emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance or under any other law for the time being

in force relating to public security.

Such regulations may over-ride all existing law except provisions of the constitution. The Ordinance also provides that no suit or prosecution can be initiated against any person for acts done or purported to be done under emergency regulations or orders except with the consent of the Attorney-general