Wednesday, September 21 2005 17:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Sri Lankan Parliament today (Sept 21, 2005) voted to extend the state of emergency, imposed shortly after the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, by another month amidst campaign for the Presidential elections to be held in November.

Parliament voted 118-24 for extending the emergency, which allows security forces and police to arrest and detain suspects for long periods. The emergency also restricts the freedom of individuals.

Sri Lanka's ruling party, its main Marxist ally and the main opposition voted for the extension of the tough laws while minority Tamil legislators opposed it.

The emergency was first imposed for 10 days shortly after the August 12 assassination of Kadirgamar. The government accused Tiger rebels of murdering the Foreign Minister, a charge rejected by the guerrillas.

Parliament extended the emergency amidst campaign for the November 17 Presidential elections.