Independent Commissions under threat: Sajith warns against move to replace Rohini and Punchihewa

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government against alleged moves to replace retired Justice Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission and Nimal Punchihewa, Chairman of the Election Commission.

Declaring that his party had voted for the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution to end Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s dictatorship, Premadasa, who is also the Opposition Leader, said former Justice Marasinghe and Attorney-at-Law Punchihewa had incurred the wrath of the incumbent administration by safeguarding the interests of the public.

Addressing the SJB Divulapitiya Bala Mandalaya, following the passage of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, on 21 Oct., lawmaker Premadasa said the Opposition wouldn’t allow the government to take revenge from those who had stood by the people during the protest campaign that forced Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office.Premadasa said that the government shouldn’t misconstrued the overwhelming vote received in support of the 22nd Amendment as a licence to move against independent commissions.

The SJB chief vowed street protests in case the government moved against the two commissioners.MP Premadasa accused the Rajapaksas of conspiring to regain the President. The Opposition Leader asked SLPP Chairman Mahinda Rajapaksa to retire from active politics as he no longer had the strength to do so. (SF)