Update 2, September 24 (evening): The protest became a march on Parliament, and was halted by the SJB’s own MPs. A group of supporters, accompanied by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB parliamentarians, marched from Diyatha Uyana towards the Jayanthipura entrance, NewsFirst reported.

Security personnel did not prevent the marchers from proceeding. Instead, several SJB MPs intervened and instructed the crowd to stop and turn back before reaching the entrance, with participants repeatedly told through loudspeakers not to go further and to continue the protest from where they stood. The demonstration remained on the roadside. SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman claimed the gates had deliberately been left open in anticipation that protesters would try to force their way through.

NewsFirst described visible confusion among participants as banners were repositioned and instructions issued amid heavy rain.

Addressing the gathering, Premadasa said: “We will defeat this executioner government’s attempt to destroy democracy in this country through the 22nd Constitutional Amendment.” He later called on democratic forces to unite: “We have already united with the UNP. We are prepared to work with every clean and democratic force… Even if this unconstitutional 22nd Amendment is passed, an SJB government will abolish it.”

The event took a further turn when Chanaka Bandara, Secretary of the Citizens of the People’s Struggle Organization, arrived and criticised the SJB leadership, alleging that those who had called on people to defeat the amendment through public action had failed to follow through. He was booed by sections of the crowd, while others responded with chants backing the SJB.

NewsFirst also reported that interviews with several participants found many could not identify specific provisions of the amendment they opposed — some said all provisions were problematic, one said the demonstration was simply against the Government, and another acknowledged having little knowledge of its contents.

Update, September 24: The protest is under way. The Opposition began gathering at Polduwa Junction near the parliamentary complex on Thursday morning, against the 22nd Amendment being debated inside the chamber the same day, the Daily Mirror reported at 9.46 a.m. Hiru News confirmed that the gathering had started, and by 11.01 a.m. the Daily Mirror reported security tightened in and around the complex, with a heavy police presence at Polduwa Junction and near the main entrance.

Premadasa has also alleged that the NPP government is attempting to establish one-party rule through the amendment and to concentrate the country’s overall power in Pelawatte, Hiru reported.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has organised a public gathering and peaceful protest at Polduwa Junction in Battaramulla today, opposing the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, Hiru News reported.

The party has invited members of other opposition parties and the general public to take part.

Premadasa has previously alleged that the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is seeking, through the amendment, to undermine democratic institutions, judicial independence and the rule of law. He said the SJB was the first party to raise concerns over the proposal and pledged to continue opposing it.

Context

The protest lands days before the decisive vote. Parliament is due to take up the 22nd Amendment on Friday, after the Supreme Court determined the bill does not require a referendum and the Sectoral Oversight Committee approved it along with the Judicature Amendment Bill.

Premadasa set out the party’s case against the amendment in Parliament on Tuesday. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has separately called on parties to release their MPs for a conscience vote, while a group led by Maithri Gunaratne withdrew from a planned protest.

Not reported

Hiru does not give a start time for the gathering, name the organisers on the ground, or say which other opposition parties have confirmed they will attend. The Daily Mirror’s follow-up confirms the protest is under way but gives no crowd estimate and does not name the parties taking part.

Sources