Sajith announces Colombo protest against 22A

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday announced that a massive public mobilisation and peaceful protest against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution would be held in Colombo on September 24.

Premadasa made the announcement while addressing a meeting of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) local government representatives and electoral organisers from the Colombo District at the Opposition Leader’s Office.

He accused the Government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, of seeking to establish one-party rule through the proposed amendment by undermining the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

Premadasa said the Government’s two-thirds majority in Parliament should not be used to undermine the democratic rights of the people. He claimed that the SJB was the first political force to oppose the proposed amendment.

He called on all progressive political forces and members of the public to join efforts to defeat what he described as the Government’s agenda.

Premadasa said the September 24 mobilisation in Colombo would mark the strongest political response to the Government’s programme, urging the public to participate in the peaceful protest.