Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questions President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on necessity of referendum for 22nd Amendment

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as to why a public referendum is not deemed necessary for the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, when the current ruling party had demanded a referendum for the 20th Amendment while in opposition.

Addressing a meeting of the Samagi Wanitha Balawegaya organised to establish the Raththota constituency committee, Premadasa stated that the 22nd Amendment would severely damage judicial independence and undermine the rule of law, which he noted has already weakened due to daily shooting incidents across the country.

The Opposition Leader accused the administration of violating human rights, ignoring judicial independence, and attempting to establish a single-party authoritarian rule. He alleged that this authoritarian shift began with youth club and civil defence committee appointments being made using list-based selections originating from Pelawatte.

Premadasa challenged the President to hold Provincial Council elections to gauge public sentiment instead of conducting what he termed "falsehood tours". He further pointed out that a presidential meeting in Beruwala caused severe hardship to local fishermen after police issued notices restricting their access to the Beruwala harbour.

Criticising the government's upcoming two-year anniversary rallies, Premadasa stated that the government has failed to deliver on key pledges, including relief for those displaced by Cyclone Ditwah, reducing fuel prices to landing costs, and cutting electricity tariffs by 32%.

He added that the public continues to suffer from unbearable economic pressure and a critical shortage of essential medicines, questioning the government's claim that its two years in power have been beneficial for the country.