It is reported that the ‘Centre for the Free Struggle to Protect Democracy’ has sent a special letter to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, urging him to uphold the broad democratic consensus established against the 22nd Constitutional Amendment.
Signed by President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne with the concurrence of 12 representatives from the steering committee, the letter also requests that the contributions of other parties and organizations opposing the 22nd Amendment not be underestimated.
The letter notes that opposition political parties, civil society organizations, and trade unions had collectively agreed based on a consensus reached on September 17 to hold a joint protest under the theme “Let us defeat the 22nd Amendment through people’s power.”
However, the Centre expresses its deep regret regarding statements recently made at a media briefing by a Member of Parliament and organizer representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which disparaged the participation of the other groups involved. The ‘Freedom Struggle Center’ (Nidahas Satan Madhyasthanaya) calls for clarification on whether those statements represent the official stance of the SJB, emphasizing that the importance of one party should not be established by belittling others.