Opposition leader urges public to protect democracy and farming rights

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated during a farmers' rally in Tissamaharama that the current administration led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna President undermines national democracy and establishes an authoritarian single-party regime by attempting to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges.

The Opposition leader questioned whether public struggles find resolution through higher retirement ages for superior court judges after broken promises of prosperity, noting that voters brought the current administration to power while rejecting alternative economic proposals, and emphasising that citizens must no longer remain silent against anti-democratic policies.

The discussion highlighted that a 506-page study conducted in 2023 by the Ministry of Justice contained no recommendations to raise judicial retirement ages, and the administration must release the report to provide public insight into required judicial modernisation.

The opposition leader stressed that citizens must defend judicial independence, uphold the rule of law, and support farming communities against broken electoral commitments.

Addressing fiscal policies, the opposition leader pointed out that government revenue increased by 27 percent during the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 according to state revenue review reports, questioning why increased revenues do not subsidise agricultural production costs instead of burdening farmers with value-added taxes on equipment.

Government ministers previously pledged to elevate farmers to royal status with guaranteed paddy prices of 150 rupees per kilogram, yet farmers now face mockery, reduced prices of 120 rupees per kilogram despite production costs reaching 137 rupees, and a lack of institutional support following electoral victories.

The administration acquires only about 8 percent of the harvest while small and moderate mill owners struggle financially without concessional loan support.