• Claims Opposition, political parties facing restrictions and harassment
• Says BASL, doctors, Buddhist clergy and independent TUs under pressure
• “We must protect the Constitution and sovereignty of the people”

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (6) warned  the Government was restricting democratic activity and suppressing the Opposition, as the UNP marked its 80th anniversary.

The anniversary event, held at the party headquarters, Sirikotha, in Pita Kotte, was attended by representatives of several political parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and United Republic Front, as invited guests.

The event commenced following Wickremesinghe’s arrival.

Speaking at the event, Wickremesinghe claimed that the Government had begun targeting the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), doctors and Buddhist monks as part of an attempt to suppress democracy and the Opposition.

He said political parties were facing restrictions and harassment, politicians were being arrested without proper reasons, and independent trade unions (TUs) were also coming under pressure.

“Specifically, as a party, we opposed the 22nd Amendment because the Government had not stated that it would require a referendum. We therefore asked the court for a referendum, as that would give it legal validity,” he said.

“Looking at the programmes being carried out today, we can see restrictions and harassment being imposed on different political parties, as well as politicians being arrested without any reason. All of this is aimed at getting rid of the country’s democratic system and the Opposition. It is also aimed at getting rid of independent TUs,” he added.

Wickremesinghe further claimed that the BASL and doctors were being targeted, while a campaign was also being carried out against the Buddhist clergy.

“All of this is undermining the country’s Constitution and the sovereignty of the people,” he said.

He also claimed that the Opposition was not being allowed to speak in Parliament.

“In particular, when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa invited BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, he was not allowed to come to Parliament. These are the kinds of actions that have taken place,” Wickremesinghe said.

“When we consider all this, we have to ask: Where is this country being governed from? From Parliament or from Pelawatte (a reference to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna headquarters)? We must protect the sovereignty of the people. We must protect the Constitution. Let us all come together. In 1946, everyone came together and created a free Sri Lanka. Today too, let us work together to protect the sovereignty of the country,” he said.