Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) would participate in the All-Party Conference proposed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday (24).
Premadasa noted that the SJB has never wavered regarding the importance of devolution of power, thus, the SJB is ready to lead from the front regarding the arrangement. Premadasa pointed out that it is the Rajapaksa led political forces that have always refused the 13th amendment to the Constitution while maintaining a different opinion before the international community.
“We are ready to lead from the front and finalize a solution to the ethnic problem by the time Sri Lanka celebrates its 75th Independence Day. The President inquired as to whether the SJB welcomed the 13th Amendment on Wednesday.
I would like to say that SJB is for devolution of power based on the 13th Amendment.
It was the SLPP that was internationally 13 plus but locally 13 minus. We never had cold feet.” Premadasa pointed out. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in reply to a certain comment made on him, pointed out that if he was a disciple of Rajapaksas, he would have been the country’s President by now. Premadasa also expressed his concerns over how the government is dealing with the youth who led the ‘Aragalaya’.
“We would also like to mention that the incumbent President will suffer the same fate as his predecessor if he tries to suppress peaceful protests. We support peaceful protests but oppose violence.
The killing of MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala, attack on MP Kumara Welgama and burning of housing on May 9, 2022, were acts of terrorism,” Premadasa noted.
The Opposition Leader also said that now there seems to be a sudden camaraderie between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Basil Rajapaksa and pointed out that the former may be taking advice from the latter. “Maybe that advice was not to table the staff level IMF agreement before the House. Maybe that is the cause for this new friendship,” he added.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also stressed the importance of holding a general election as soon as possible.
Add new comment