Sajith Premadasa Says SJB Will Work to Build a Country Where Democracy Is Protected

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the government had secured the passage of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution through its parliamentary majority, but claimed that the move had denied the democratic rights of the country’s 22 million people.

Premadasa made the remarks in Parliament today (25), following the vote on the 22nd Amendment.

He said the country had entered what he described as a “dark era” for democracy, alleging that the government had taken steps that would weaken democratic institutions, pave the way for authoritarian rule and establish a system of one-party governance.

The Opposition Leader said the opposition, together with a majority of the people, should work to defeat what he described as the government’s anti-democratic approach.

He said Sri Lanka should not be governed from a party headquarters, but should instead become a country in which democracy is protected.

Premadasa said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) would remain committed to working towards creating such a country.

Parliamentary Vote

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was passed by Parliament on September 25 with a special majority. According to the official parliamentary record, 158 MPs voted in favour and 63 voted against, with no abstentions.

The Supreme Court had previously determined that the amendment did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.