22A: The truth behind the 'Sajith-Anura deal' claims

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has issued a detailed clarification rejecting claims of a political deal with the government, as the 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill prepares to come before Parliament on 24 September.

The clarification addresses opposition involvement in the campaign against the bill and various political allegations circulating on social media.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the SJB headquarters, the party's Gampaha District chief organiser, Waruna Deepthi Rajapaksa, said claims suggesting the Opposition Leader's efforts against the 22nd Amendment were inadequate, or that some political agreement existed between the SJB and the government, had no basis in fact.

The politics behind the social media campaign

Responding to questions from journalists on the allegations, Rajapaksa said the narrative was being pushed by certain parties who had lost their representation in the current Parliament and had already been rejected by the public.

He said a section of people were running an organised social media campaign claiming the SJB's opposition to the 22nd Amendment was insufficient, and argued that the public was well aware of who these individuals were and what public mandate, if any, they held. He added that groups the public had thoroughly rejected were the ones spreading such baseless claims.

Action taken inside and outside Parliament

At the briefing, the party also released a 78-page report with dated timelines detailing the steps taken by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and the SJB since the debate on the 22nd Amendment first began.

Rajapaksa said these steps included calling for a parliamentary debate on the amendment, issuing a joint statement bringing together all opposition political parties, and taking steps to formally inform the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

He added that it was the SJB that proposed the appointment of a parliamentary select committee to design a proper mechanism to reduce delays in the judicial system.

Public petitions, court action and international outreach

Rajapaksa recalled that a Parliament adjournment debate had already highlighted what practical steps ought to be taken if the government's stated need to expedite court cases was genuine.

He said the SJB had also led public petition campaigns held across the country to raise awareness, fundamental rights petitions filed before the courts, and protest campaigns held in several areas including Pettah.

He further revealed that the party had taken steps to formally notify a number of international observer organisations about the potential impact of these developments on the country's democratic structure.

The September 24 protest at the parliament roundabout

Rajapaksa stressed that his party had no intention of using the 22nd Amendment for political advantage, and said the opposition had made full preparations for a large scale public protest near the parliament entrance roundabout on 24 September, the day the amendment is due to be debated.

He said the decisions to be taken on the bill in the coming days would mark a decisive turning point in the country's constitutional history.