SJB Accuses Government of Moving Towards a Police State, Vows No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera has accused the government of moving towards establishing a police state, citing the death of a young man in Homagama Police custody and proposed legislation that he said could undermine civil liberties.

Speaking at an SJB media briefing in Colombo on Thursday, Perera said the death in Homagama had raised serious concerns and alleged that the young man had died following an assault. He also referred to another reported death involving a young man at the Kobeyigane Police Station.

Perera accused the government of pursuing repressive legislation that could violate citizens’ civil and democratic rights. He warned that proposed laws could allow suspects to be detained for questioning for up to 72 hours.

He also criticised the government over its handling of the economy, saying several election promises had not been fulfilled. These included commitments to curb corruption, stop commissions from fuel transactions and reduce value-added tax (VAT), he said.

Perera claimed that public protests against the government were increasing as people continued to face economic difficulties. He also criticised the government’s response to people affected by adverse weather and the Ditwah cyclone, alleging that some displaced families had yet to receive promised assistance or housing.

He questioned whether funds allocated to the Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund had been properly utilised and accused the government of failing to provide sufficient relief, control inflation, reduce electricity bills and address unemployment.

On proposed anti-terrorism legislation, Perera said the government had previously criticised such laws over their impact on human rights but was now seeking to introduce legislation that he described as even more dangerous.

He also accused the government of using the proposed 22nd Amendment to suppress the public and warned that the country could face serious consequences if democratic rights were weakened.

Addressing allegations against Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne, Perera said the Opposition would proceed with a no-confidence motion containing 50 charges and would not withdraw the allegations. He argued that the Speaker should step aside while the allegations were being examined.

Perera called on the government to fulfil its promises and provide meaningful relief to the public, accusing it of making statements without delivering adequate results.