A broad coalition of youth wings from various opposition political parties and civil society groups are set to stage a protest in Colombo tomorrow, timed to coincide with the court hearing of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The protest is a response to Wickremesinghe’s arrest on allegations of misusing public funds for a foreign tour.
Crowds are expected to gather outside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court as the case is taken up for hearing. The participating organizations include the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Youth Front, Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Lanka Janatha Party, Sarwajana Balaya, United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Greens, and the Progressive Youth Movement, among others.
At a media briefing held on Monday, SJB’s “Horaa” organizer, Charith Abeysinghe, stated that the collective opposition plans to gather at Slave Island before marching to the Fort Magistrate’s Court. “This is not just about one individual. It’s about standing up against political suppression,” Abeysinghe said.
Hemantha Srilal, Convenor of the SLPP Youth Front, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the protest is aimed at defending democratic principles, not just the former President. Srilal warned that Wickremesinghe’s arrest could set a dangerous precedent, stating, “Ranil has been arrested today, and other former Presidents could be next. We cannot allow a former leader—who led the country through a civil war—to be politically harassed. If this continues, even President Anura Dissanayake could be restricted from accessing his party headquarters in Pelawatte.”
Dr. Chamara Wanigasuriya, representing the Sarwajana Balaya, affirmed their participation as part of a larger struggle against political suppression. “We are standing in unity to protect democratic freedoms,” he said.
