Opposition makes clarion call , plans public protest

Demonstrators organised by various opposition parties will gather near an undisclosed religious site in Colombo before marching towards the Fort Magistrate’s Court

Parties meet under Sajith’s leadership

Ready to work together against repression by Govt

Expected to meet again tomorrow  

More than 20 political parties and individuals have united in support of the former President, calling for his immediate release and safeguarding democracy

Each party will bring their own supporters. They will assemble at a point before proceeding to the court,” the UNP member said

The opposition had a dual role to play- to secure the release of Mr. Wickremesinghe and thwarting challenges to democracy under the current government

By Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera   

Opposition political parties are planning to mobilise large crowds in Colombo today and proceed towards Fort Magistrates Court , as the case against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe—currently held over allegations of misusing state funds during a foreign tour—is to be taken up.   

A senior member of the United National Party (UNP), speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Daily Mirror that demonstrators organised by various opposition parties will gather near an undisclosed religious site in Colombo before marching towards the Fort Magistrate’s Court in support of the bid to get legal redress for Mr. Wickremesinghe. “Each party will bring their own supporters. They will assemble at a point before proceeding to the court,” the UNP member said.  

“We simply want to show solidarity in defence of democracy,” he added.   

More than 20 political parties and individuals have united in support of the former President, calling for his immediate release and safeguarding democracy. In addition the UNP which is led by Mr. Wickremesinghe , the other parties involved are Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), National Freedom Front, People’s Alliance, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, United Republican Front, Sarwajana Balaya, United People’s Party, Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), New Democratic Front, Tamil National Organization, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, Ceylon Workers Congress, Democratic People’s Front, Jananayaka Tamil Thesiya Kootany, and National Congress.   

The decision to mobilise public support was made during a meeting at the office of the Leader of the Opposition. The meeting was attended by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, former President Maithripala Sirisena, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Talatha Athukorala, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, and representatives from the other parties. In his address to the meeting, Mr. Premadasa said that the arrest of Mr. Wickremesinghe could not be taken in isolation. He said it amounts to an assault on democracy. He stressed the need for all the parties to work together. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena who addressed the meeting said that the opposition had a dual role to play- to secure the release of Mr. Wickremesinghe and thwarting challenges to democracy under the current government.   

The leaders of the opposition parties will meet again tomorrow to evolve a joint programme. The parties believe that success is impossible without unity among them.