• Finds it difficult to clearly separate official and personal expenses of the Head of State, sees an attempt to politicise the AG’s Dept. 
• Forms committee with political parties’ gen. secys. to coordinate efforts; to meet at Oppo. Leader’s Office tmrw.

Leaders of opposition political parties have jointly issued a statement regarding the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The statement declares that the move to arrest Wickremesinghe and to remand him over a non-bailable offence constitutes a form of State conduct that is “moving towards dictatorship”, and is in opposition to a multi-party democratic system.

According to the statement, the developments during the last few days represent a deliberate attack on the democratic way of life in Sri Lanka and that it is vital that the public should be aware of the implications of this situation and its danger to the society as a whole.

It further states that it is difficult to clearly separate the official and personal expenses of a Head of State. Given this context, the act of reporting unproven allegations – still under investigation – to the Judiciary and remanding a former President is described as a process that undermines multi-party democracy and democratic values.

Additionally, the statement notes that the allegations against Wickremesinghe are politically motivated and have been built upon a misinterpretation of the law. The statement states that the arrest of Wickremesinghe cannot be justified in any way as being essential for the purpose of conducting a proper investigation.

It also highlights the recent events as an indication of attempts to politicise the Attorney General’s (AG) Department. 

The statement said: “If these initiatives are allowed to proceed without impediment, the values which we hold sacred as part of our inalienable heritage will be irretrievably lost.” 

Accordingly, party leaders have called upon the general public to resist the attempts by all means available within the country’s democratic framework and to safeguard the substance of freedom for generations to come.

Meanwhile, a group of prominent opposition politicians met yesterday (25) to discuss the situation surrounding Wickremesinghe, who is currently in remand custody. The meeting was held at the Office of the Opposition Leader, where the attendees also deliberated on future political activities. 

The meeting was attended by former President Maithripala Sirisena, Parliamentarians Ravi Karunanayake, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardhana and Palani Thigambaram, as well as former MPs Ruwan Wijewardene, attorney Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Prof. G.L. Peiris, and Sagala Ratnayake, among other key opposition figures. A number of other MPs representing the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, have also participated in the discussions.

Speaking at the meeting, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the arrest of Wickremesinghe is not an isolated incident, but rather a serious challenge to democratic politics. He emphasised the importance of all opposition political parties uniting to confront this challenge. He noted that the discussion was convened with the aim of formulating both short-term and long-term action plans in collaboration with all opposition parties to respond effectively to the current developments. 

During the meeting, Sirisena also expressed his views, stating that there are two main issues that must be addressed. He said that all factions must deliberate on developing a strategy to secure the release of Wickremesinghe and also overcome the threat to democratic politics in the country. He stressed that all political parties must set aside their ideological differences and stand united in this cause.

All political party representatives present at the meeting agreed on the importance of united action by the entire opposition to face the current crisis.

Premadasa further stressed the need for continued collective action, not only in relation to the legal proceedings involving Wickremesinghe, but also against the anti-democratic actions of the Government. He announced the formation of an active committee with the participation of party general secretaries to coordinate upcoming efforts.

All participating party leaders also agreed to reconvene tomorrow (27) at the Opposition Leader’s Office to continue their discussions.

Wickremesinghe was remanded until today (26) by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court after being arrested by the CID on 22 August.

The case will be taken up for hearing once again today.