A motion requesting a debate condemning the encroachments made by the Executive on the Judiciary, was submitted to the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (6) by a group of Opposition Parliamentarians. 

The motion, prepared on the instructions of the Opposition Leader, was submitted to the Speaker by Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka, Deputy Opposition Whips J.C. Alawathuwala and attorney Ajith P. Perera, and several other Opposition MPs.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during a recent May Day rally, had urged supporters to be ready to applaud following a court verdict expected on 25 May. The comments have been described as a serious threat to the independence of the Judiciary and an attempt to bring the courts under Executive influence, and as suggesting prior knowledge of a pending court decision, in turn raising concerns about the integrity of the judicial process. 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had stated that the nature of the statement could be interpreted as suggesting interference in the judicial process, and warned that such remarks risk undermining public confidence in the Judiciary. The BASL added that any such interference constitutes an offence under the Constitution.