COLOMBO, Feb. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Sri Lanka's main opposition party on Friday abstained in voting in the parliament to approve the state of emergency in the tsunami-hit areas in this Indian ocean island.

    The vote was passed with 106 for and 20 against, parliamentary officials said.

    The main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the main Muslim party the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) abstained at the vote.

    The state of emergency is required to give powers to the Commissioner General of Essential Services to carry out smooth relief operations in the devastated coastline.

    The Commissioner has sweeping powers to take over public properties, vehicles in order to coordinate effective operations. The UNP said while they were not opposed to making the Commissioner's job easy, the party was against the provisions which are undemocratic in nature.

    Some of the provisions, the UNP said suppress personal freedom and trade union rights.

    The two sides have been bickering over the relief operations. The UNP has accused the government of mismanagement and inefficiency while the government accuses the main opposition party of trying to prevent foreign governments from lending a helping hand. Enditem