An attempt to show widespread public and organizational opposition outside Parliament against the Government’s proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment has completely collapsed.
On September 17, a coalition named the “Free Struggle Center for the Protection of Democracy” was formed under the leadership of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. However, 12 core organizations belonging to its convening committee have now been expelled from the alliance.
The rift surfaced on September 22, when Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar launched a fierce verbal attack in Parliament against the Sajith Premadasa-led coalition.
Following the parliamentary remarks, President’s Counsel Maitri Gunaratne lodged a formal complaint with Sajith Premadasa on September 23 regarding the matter. The group of representatives who were ousted from the coalition includes:
President’s Counsel Maitri Gunaratne
Senior Counsel Shiral Lakthilaka
Namal Rajapaksa’s representative, Attorney-at-Law Premanath C. Dolawatte
Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne
Ravi Kumudesh
Nanda Muruttettewegama
Saman Rathnapriya
Thusitha Perera
Udeni Dissanayake
Asha Kahawita
Bandula Chandrasekara
The expelled representatives have submitted their grievances directly to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
