NPP, Lal agree to disagree

NPP Executive Committee member Lal Wijenayake has declared that he would remain a part of the ruling party despite his disagreement with the 22nd Amendment, which he says should have been subject to a referendum. He intends to continue supporting the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in highlighting the detrimental effects of the amendment. Lal made these remarks in response to a query from The Island regarding his continued association with the NPP after opposing the 22nd Amendment.

When further questioned for more details, Lal stated that he had discussed the matter with NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, but he declined to reveal the specifics of their conversation. He emphasized that the party would not seek his removal and that he would continue to hold his position in the Executive Committee.

NPP General Secretary Dr. Nihal Abeyseinghe stated that those advocating for the ruling party to permit its members to vote according to their conscience should be aware that the entire government parliamentary group agreed on the necessity of the 22nd Amendment. Despite the split within the NPP over the amendment, 158 members voted in favor of the controversial change, with three Opposition MPs abstaining from the vote.

The dissenting MPs included Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha from the New Democratic Front (NDF), while Nayana Wasalathilake from the United National Front (SJB) was absent. The NDF, which secured five seats in the last parliamentary elections, contested under the 'Gas Cylinder' symbol. The remaining three party members, Anuradha Jayaratne, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, voted against the 22nd Amendment.