- SJB protests against 22A
- Free Action Centre for Protection of Democracy pulls out of demo
- Dilith writes to all MPs, urges anti-22A vote according to conscience
The entrance to Parliament from Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla was blocked yesterday (24) as the main Opposition SJB staged a protest against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.
The protest began at around 9.30 a.m., with a large number of protesters joining the demonstration despite heavy rains in Battaramulla. SJB Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB Parliamentarians, party representatives and supporters participated in the protest.
The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion in and around Battaramulla, with protesters moving along the road towards the Parliament entrance. Traffic was also affected around Diyatha Uyana, the roads leading towards Parliament and the junction.
Speaking during the protest, Premadasa accused the Government of working to destroy the country's democracy and the independence of the Judiciary through the 22nd Constitutional Amendment.
He declared that even if this "unconstitutional and anti-democratic" 22nd Constitutional Amendment is passed in Parliament, a future SJB Government will repeal it.
Premadasa also accused the Government of deceiving the public and described President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as a leader who has misled the public.
He asserted that the 22nd Constitutional Amendment is an attempt to bring the entire country under the control of a single-party, and called for this effort to be defeated through public strength.
Furthermore, Premadasa said that they would send Dissanayake’s Government home and align with all clean, democratic forces committed to the country's progress and the welfare of its people.
He said that he requests the public to understand this truth and reality, adding that they did not come to the Polduwa Junction to set the Parliament on fire as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna did during the Aragalaya protest movement. He noted that those who attempted to burn down the Parliament during the Aragalaya protest period are today in Parliament.
He added that the 22nd Constitutional Amendment must be defeated through the people, and called on the public to join hands to create an era that eradicates poverty, protects all social classes, and sustains all 22 million citizens.
The protest coincided with the commencement of the Second Reading debate on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill in Parliament yesterday. The debate is scheduled to continue today (25), with Parliamentary business allocated for consideration of the Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill.
The SJB had announced the protest ahead of the Parliamentary debate, with General Secretary and MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara saying that the Party opposed the proposed Amendment, which it claimed could pave the way for authoritarian rule. He had also called on the public to join the demonstration.
The proposed Amendment has also been subject to Constitutional challenges before the Supreme Court (SC). Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed Parliament on Tuesday (22) that the SC had determined that the provisions of the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum. The Court also directed specific amendments to the Bill.
Following the SC Determination, the Bill proceeded to the Parliamentary stage, with the Second Reading debate scheduled for yesterday and today.
Meanwhile, the Free Action Centre for the Protection of Democracy decided not to participate in yesterday’s planned demonstration.
In a statement, the Movement said the decision had been taken in consideration of the prevailing controversial circumstances. It said its objective had been to bring together all Opposition political parties, groups and democratic forces on a common platform and build a broad and strong public movement to safeguard the democratic rights of the people.
The Movement also expressed regret over the decision not to proceed with the protest as originally planned.
Elsewhere, Sarvajana Balaya Leader and Opposition MP Attorney-at-Law Dilith Jayaweera urged all MPs to vote according to their conscience against the proposed 22nd Amendment when it comes before Parliament for a vote.
Jayaweera made the appeal in a letter addressed to all MPs yesterday, calling on them to consider what he described as a critical moment for the country’s democratic future.
He said he was addressing MPs not as a political opponent but as a fellow MP concerned about the future of the country and its democratic values.
Jayaweera noted that the SC’s role in considering the Bill was limited to determining whether its provisions were consistent with the Constitution and whether Parliamentary approval would require a simple majority, a two-thirds majority or a referendum.
According to Jayaweera, the SC does not determine whether the proposed Amendment would ultimately be beneficial to the country or its people, arguing that this consideration is left to the conscience of individual MPs.
He also referred to MPs who had previously spoken in support of the rule of law, democracy and an independent Judiciary, including those who had opposed the impeachment of former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake.
Jayaweera argued that an independent Judiciary serves as a safeguard for ordinary citizens and said that principles MPs had upheld in the past should continue to guide them.
He further urged Government MPs to remember that they were elected by voters rather than selected solely by political parties, saying that their decisions on major national issues would be remembered by both history and the people who placed their trust in them.
Jayaweera called on MPs to vote against the proposed 22nd Amendment, which he described as “short-sighted”, saying this would help protect the country’s democratic system. He also said that if MPs faced practical difficulties in voting against the Bill, abstaining from the vote could carry significance in the historical record.
PHOTO: Lalith Perera