Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa dismissed claims by the National People’s Power (NPP) that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) had offered political bribes, including the Chief Minister candidacy, to Bar Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Premadasa, speaking at the opening of the SJB office in Ratnapura yesterday, said the allegation was “the latest lie of the NPP,” stressing that his party had never engaged in political bribery.
He accused NPP MPs of abusing parliamentary privilege to spread falsehoods, noting that one member had claimed the Chief Minister post was promised in exchange for opposing the government’s bid to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges.
“The SJB has never given political bribes to anyone. We stand with a straight backbone for an independent judiciary,” Premadasa said, adding that only his party had the moral right to speak about judicial independence.
Premadasa warned that the NPP government was attempting to control judicial power from Pelawatte, delivering a fatal blow to judicial independence by seeking to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges while leaving vacancies unfilled.
He recalled past political pressure on judges, including Shirani Bandaranayake, but insisted the SJB had never brought judges before parliamentary committees to exert influence.
Premadasa further charged that an incapable President and Prime Minister were dragging the country into decline.
Despite Sri Lanka’s resources in tea, rubber, cinnamon, and gems, he said the government had failed to promote them, instead deceiving the public with false promises to win votes and cling to power.
He pointed to broken pledges: fuel at dockside prices, electricity bill reductions of 33%, and a guaranteed Rs.150 price for paddy.
“None of these exist today. Instead, this government caused a Rs.17 loss for paddy farmers,” he said. (Newswire)