Sajith rejects Jt. Opp. protest sabotage claim; SJB TU chief demands remedial action

Ananda Palitha, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) trade union leader, rejected allegations that the SJB had betrayed the joint protest campaign planned for September 24 against the 22nd Amendment without public referendum approval. Palitha emphasized that SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa should take remedial measures to restore the alliance.

He pointed out that MP Marikkar belittled those who had pledged to join the SJB-led protest, urging Sajith to be held responsible for restoring the shattered alliance. The NPP, which was rapidly moving towards dictatorship, would benefit from such treacherous actions, according to Palitha. When queried about the 24 Sept. protest allegations, Opposition Leader Premadasa dismissed the claims as 'rubbish.'

Palitha alleged that the NPP reneged on all its election promises, such as stopping massive rice imports, and created an artificial shortage to benefit from large salt imports. He urged the SJB to reiterate its commitment to the 17 Sept. pledge. Palitha stressed the responsibility of SJB leadership to spearhead an all-out campaign against the government, warning that the current policies and strategies were deeply dismayed by a section of the parliamentary group.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) declined the invitation to join the protest on 25 Sept., with BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya stating they didn't accept it. Former SLPP Kalutara District MP Sanjeewa Edirimanna suggested that the SJB was more interested in organizing a large-scale protest to counter the SLPP's rally than a genuine joint protest against the 22nd Amendment or the government.