UNP to back SJB protest against 22nd Amendment
As Naveen Dissanayake signals closer ties with Sajith
COLOMBO – United National Party (UNP) Deputy Chairman Naveen Dissanayake has pledged the party’s full support for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) protest against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, while saying there is growing potential for closer political cooperation between the UNP and SJB.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that the SJB will hold a major public mobilization and peaceful protest in Colombo on September 24 against the proposed constitutional amendment, which he has alleged could undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.
Dissanayake said the UNP would participate in the protest under Premadasa’s leadership, arguing that strong public pressure was necessary to protect the independence of the judiciary and the Supreme Court.
He said recent developments indicated that UNP leader and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Premadasa could move towards greater political cooperation, pointing to their joint appearance at a recent event commemorating former President J.R. Jayewardene.
“There appears to be a growing possibility that the two leaders, the leader of the United National Party and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, will unite politically in the future,” Dissanayake said.
He said there had been continued calls within the UNP for the two sides to reunite, while a significant section of the SJB also supported such an arrangement.
Dissanayake argued that the two parties shared political roots, organizational links and broadly similar ideological positions, and said closer cooperation could contribute to the formation of a broader opposition movement.
His comments come a day after Premadasa publicly announced that the SJB and UNP would join forces, describing the proposed cooperation as an effort to establish a policy-based political alternative rather than a vehicle for political positions or personal gain. Former President Wickremesinghe was present at the event where Premadasa made the announcement.
Dissanayake also invoked the political legacy of J.R. Jayewardene, saying liberal and moderate centre-right political principles had historically shaped the country’s political system.
He said former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Wickremesinghe and other leaders had been influenced by Jayewardene’s political philosophy and argued that Sri Lanka’s future development should be pursued along those lines.
Turning to the proposed constitutional changes, Dissanayake said the UNP would support the SJB’s campaign against the legislation and participate in the September 24 protest.
The SJB has accused the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of seeking to undermine judicial independence and establish one-party rule through the proposed amendment. The government has rejected such criticism, saying the proposed judicial reforms are intended to address issues including delays in the justice system.
Dissanayake said the public would ultimately assess the government’s performance and express its judgment at future elections.
He added that the UNP intended to strengthen its grassroots organisation with public support and said that, if the two political forces formally united, holding Provincial Council elections would be among their initial priorities.
–ENCL
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