“The Government Should Take Responsibility for Failing to Handle the Situation Properly,” Says Ananda Palitha

United Trade Unions Federation spokesperson and convener Ananda Palitha criticised the Government over the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, saying that the Government should take responsibility for failing to handle the matter properly.

“Yesterday was a way of showing gratitude to the Government,” Palitha said. “When have governments ever allowed a protest against Parliament?”

He claimed that many people had opposed the proposed 22nd Amendment, but that the Government had proceeded to present it in Parliament without listening to those objections.

He said the Bill was debated yesterday and that a vote was scheduled for today, while questioning whether the Opposition had done enough to defeat the amendment.

Palitha further claimed that the Government had disregarded the concerns raised regarding the amendment, including the issue of whether a two-thirds parliamentary majority or the consent of the people would be required.

He also made allegations concerning individuals currently in the Government, referring to their past political activities. These remarks were made as part of his criticism of the Government's handling of the amendment.

Palitha said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had organised protests and expressed opposition to the amendment. He also said that members of the United National Party (UNP), workers and representatives of various organisations had joined the protest despite heavy rain.

He said that Navin Dissanayake had also indicated that he would attend, while claiming that discussions had been held with representatives of several political parties and organisations.

According to Palitha, the SJB leadership had announced through a media briefing that people should attend the protest on September 24. He said some individuals who had promised to attend did not do so, adding that he had personally gone to the courts.

Palitha further claimed that the Government was afraid of the Opposition and questioned how the broader opposition movement had changed after initially coming together.

He said the groups had initially discussed holding the protest on September 25 and criticised the manner in which the protest was eventually organised.

Palitha also referred to comments attributed to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, saying that political parties have only a limited period to act. He called on the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposed 22nd Amendment “for the sake of the people.”

The Parliamentary schedule had allocated September 24 and 25 for the Second Reading debate on the 22nd Amendment Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill. The Supreme Court had determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum, while directing specific amendments to its provisions.