Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has accused the government of suppressing democracy, the political opposition and independent trade unions.
Speaking at the 80th anniversary celebrations of the United National Party (UNP) today (Sept. 6), Wickremesinghe alleged that the government had begun targeting professional bodies and religious figures, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, medical professionals and Buddhist clergy.
He claimed that political parties were facing restrictions and harassment, while politicians were being arrested without valid reasons. According to Wickremesinghe, these actions were part of a broader attempt to weaken democratic institutions and silence dissenting voices.
Commenting on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, Wickremesinghe said the UNP had opposed it because it did not provide for a public referendum. He said the party had also approached the courts to determine its constitutional validity.
The former President also criticised what he described as attempts to silence the parliamentary opposition. He referred to an incident in which opposition members and Bar Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya were reportedly prevented from entering Parliament.
Wickremesinghe questioned whether the country was being governed through Parliament or from Pelawatte, while stressing the need to safeguard the sovereignty of the people and uphold Articles 3 and 9 of the Constitution.
He called for collective action to protect the country's sovereignty, recalling the role of a united movement in establishing a free Sri Lanka in 1946.
