National People’s Power (NPP) Executive Committee member Lal Wijenayake has said he will remain with the ruling party despite maintaining his opposition to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution without a referendum, it was reported. 

According to The Island newspaper, Wijenayake said his position on the amendment remains unchanged and that he would continue supporting measures taken by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to raise concerns over its implications.

Responding to questions on whether he could remain in the NPP while opposing the amendment, Wijenayake disclosed that he had discussed the matter with President and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He declined to reveal details of the discussion but indicated that his position within the party would remain unchanged.

Wijenayake said he expected to continue serving on the NPP Executive Committee despite his stance on the amendment. However, he ruled out joining opposition-led protests against the government over the issue.

NPP’s Lal Wijenayake, was among those who had filed petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, requesting a ruling that the amendment must be subjected to a referendum for public approval. (Newswire)

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Executive Committee Member of the National People’s Power (NPP), Lal Wijenayake, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the 22nd Constitutional Amendment.

He has requested a ruling that the amendment must be subjected to a referendum for public approval.

Issuing a statement, Wijenayake argued that framing the opposition to the 22nd Amendment merely as a contest between Government and Opposition misleads the public. 

He described the struggle as one to defend judicial independence and to safeguard the right of citizens to live in a disciplined society.

“The choice before the people is not whether to protect a political party, but whether to preserve for future generations the right to live as disciplined citizens in a disciplined society, won through long‑term dedication and struggle,” his statement read.

In addition to his personal petition, Wijenayake, a convener and founding member of the Lawyers for Democracy, has filed another petition through the organization. 

That petition contends that the 22nd Amendment is inconsistent with Article 3 of the Constitution and therefore must be approved by referendum.

The deadline for filing petitions against the 22nd Amendment is set to expire today, with multiple challenges already lodged before the Court. (Newswire)

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