Several opposition party leaders and members gathered at the Joint Opposition rally in Nugegoda today, despite heavy rain.
Former MPs G.L. Peiris, Udaya Gammanpila, Tiran Alles, Rajitha Senaratne, Vajira Abeygunawardena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Harin Fernando, Sagara Kariyawasam, and Duminda Dissanayake were among those present. Current MPs Namal Rajapaksa and Chamara Sampath Dassanayake also addressed the crowd.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) did not attend, while UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was reported to have left the country earlier in the day.
Speaking at the rally, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said the opposition had united “without fear of government restrictions and controls,” adding that even without signs of an election, they were ready to lead the public. He accused the government of breaking promises, working with the IMF despite earlier pledges to reject it, and burdening citizens with taxes.
MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake declared that the opposition’s purpose was not to appoint a leader, but stressed that if necessary, “any individual could be placed in the President’s seat.”
Former MP Harin Fernando described the rally as the first step in removing what he called a corrupt government, urging all opposition parties, including the SJB, to join hands.
Meanwhile, Udaya Gammanpila, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, claimed no government had feared a public rally as much as the current one, alleging that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was “most afraid” of the gathering. (Newswire)