Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has organised a public gathering and peaceful protest at Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla today, opposing the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, Hiru News reported.
The party has invited members of other opposition parties and the general public to take part.
Premadasa has previously alleged that the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seeking, through the amendment, to undermine democratic institutions, judicial independence and the rule of law. He said the SJB was the first party to raise concerns over the proposal and pledged to continue opposing it.
Context
The protest lands days before the decisive vote. Parliament is due to take up the 22nd Amendment on Friday, after the Supreme Court determined the bill does not require a referendum and the Sectoral Oversight Committee approved it along with the Judicature Amendment Bill.
Premadasa set out the party’s case against the amendment in Parliament on Tuesday. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has separately called on parties to release their MPs for a conscience vote, while a group led by Maithri Gunaratne withdrew from a planned protest.
Not reported
Hiru does not give a start time for the gathering, name the organisers on the ground, or say which other opposition parties have confirmed they will attend. No other verified newsroom had filed on the protest at the time of writing; Ada Derana’s report was not retrievable.
