Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa accused the government of setting Sri Lanka on a path toward single-party rule by prioritizing constitutional changes to extend judges' retirement ages rather than fixing the country's severe economic hardship.
Speaking at the launch of the Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya branch in Ruwanwella, the Opposition Leader stated that altering judicial tenure would do nothing to alleviate poverty, unemployment, or widespread public distress.
He said that the government ought to direct its focus toward immediate agrarian and social needs, including fertiliser subsidies, irrigation repairs, and prison system reforms.
Premadasa alleged that the government was actively pressuring the bench to weaken democratic checks and balances and secure total political dominance.
He pointed out that state resources and appointments, such as those to youth societies and civil security committees, had previously been directed through a political party headquarters in Pelawatte.
Instead of shielding judicial appointments, Premadasa insisted the government should have introduced constitutional amendments guaranteeing rights for women, children, and senior citizens.
He noted that a critical portion of the population remained trapped in poverty while shortages in government hospitals forced vulnerable patients to buy essentials from private pharmacies.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader pledged that his party would work to turn those social protections into constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights when given the opportunity.
He added that the public entrusted the current NPP government with a mandate to deliver economic prosperity and raise living standards, not to protect judicial terms.
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