Opposition leader questions why referendum required for 20th Amendment is not needed for 22nd

Sri Lankan opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said he would ask President Anura Kumara Dissanayake why a referendum required for the 20th Constitutional Amendment is not considered necessary for the 22nd.

Premadasa said the country is already facing daily shootings and a weakening rule of law. He warned that the 22nd Amendment could damage judicial independence and cause the rule of law to deteriorate further.

He made the comments while addressing a meeting to establish the Rathtota electoral constituency board of the Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya. Premadasa recalled that Dissanayake, when he was in opposition, had said the 20th Amendment required both a two-thirds parliamentary majority and a referendum. He said government representatives now argue that no referendum is needed for the 22nd Amendment.

Premadasa also accused the Malima government of lacking humanity, violating human rights, denying popular sovereignty and failing to respect the independence of the judiciary.