“Stop Treating the Judiciary as Though It Is Under Your Control,” Says SJB

Speaking at a media briefing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), party representative Tushara Indunil said that treating the judiciary as though it could be controlled by the government would seriously harm democracy.

He also said that NPP Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya could attend the protest scheduled for September 24 against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

Commenting on the Supreme Court determination presented to Parliament by the Speaker, Indunil said the matter was not something the SJB considered particularly significant, noting that the Minister of Justice had previously stated on several occasions that a referendum would not be necessary.

He said claims that the judiciary was being controlled would cause serious damage to the country's democracy. However, he added that the SJB would not make further comments about the judiciary on the matter, saying that taking the issue to court would produce the outcome determined by the courts.

Regarding the Supreme Court determination on the 22nd Amendment, Indunil said the SJB would not comment on the decision itself. Instead, he called on people who want to protect democracy to ask their elected representatives to stand against the proposed amendment.

He said the SJB had organised a protest for September 24 and called on the 159 MPs elected under the National People's Power (NPP) to join the protest according to their conscience.

Indunil also said that NPP Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had not made any statement on the matter. He said she could vote against the proposed 22nd Amendment and act according to her own convictions. He further called on those who oppose the amendment, including members of the NPP, to join the protest being organised under the leadership of the SJB.

He also expressed surprise that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, whom he described as previously being a progressive politician, was now acting in what he characterised as an authoritarian manner.