Opposition parties rally for Ranil

A coalition of Opposition party leaders yesterday held a press briefing in Colombo to denounce the arrest of ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

- 

Gathering under the banner “Let’s Defeat the Constitutional Dictatorship,” the speakers accused the administration of weaponising the legal system against political rivals. Party leaders argued that Wickremesinghe’s detention was part of a wider attempt to erode democratic institutions and suppress dissent.

Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena said he was disappointed and distressed by the arrest and called on all political parties and civil society organisations to condemn the arrest and defend democracy. Former MP Patali Champika Ranawaka speaking at the press conference said the arrest of Wickremesinghe was the Government's attempt to squash dissent towards establishing a single-party State.

Separately, Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), denounced the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, calling it a politically motivated move aimed at silencing dissent.

In a statement yesterday, the SJB said the arrest, first publicised through what it claims is a pro-Government social media account, undermined the rule of law and revealed what it described as an effort by the administration to establish a one-party State.

The party also criticised Government programs, including the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, regional and district committees, and limits on Local Government funding, saying these measures weaken multiparty democracy. It added that attempts to control public service unions reflected a dictatorial approach.

The SJB urged all political groups and civil society organisations to rally together against what it termed anti-democratic practices, warning that collective resistance was needed to prevent the emergence of one-party rule in Sri Lanka.