Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara informed Parliament that the government, despite its initial promises to preserve public rights, is now actively subverting democratic principles.
The SJB General secretary asserted that the government had systematically abandoned its core commitments to uphold civil liberties.
Drawing attention to a series of recent human rights concerns, he said that 17 individuals had died in police custody alongside the fatal shooting of a child.
He raised concerns over the proposed Prevention of Organised Crime Act, revealing that 26 petitions had already been lodged in court against the measure.
Bandara pointed out the country is currently operating under peaceful conditions, making the introduction of stringent anti-terrorism and crime legislation unnecessary.
He warned that such statutes risk granting excessive powers to law enforcement agencies at a time when over 1,000 police officers have faced interdiction under the present government.
Furthermore, he criticised efforts to regulate traditional religious practices, specifically highlighting interventions regarding donation boxes at Buddhist temples.
He said that judicial independence had already been compromised following the passage of the 22nd Amendment.
Bandara added that the administration is resorting to public intimidation and state authority to cover up its own political instability.
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