The Opposition Leader said that Sri Lanka’s Constitution establishes three institutions to safeguard democracy—the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. He said these are the three main pillars of democracy, while a free and independent media serves as the fourth pillar, and civil society should function as the fifth pillar in protecting democracy.
He further stated that, regardless of the individual objectives of the country’s various civil society organisations, they would be brought together under a common purpose to launch a national initiative aimed at safeguarding democracy. He announced that this programme would officially commence next Monday at 9.00 a.m. at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made these remarks today during a meeting with representatives of civil society organisations at the Office of the Opposition Leader.
Speaking about rights from a democratic perspective, he said that some groups with liberal right-wing views argue that the focus should be on civil and political rights, while left-wing groups place greater emphasis on economic, social, and welfare rights. Since the full spectrum of these rights is recognised internationally through the United Nations Charter, he said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which believes in a centrist approach, considers it appropriate to uphold all the rights advocated by both the left and the right.
He added that this initiative is not driven by partisan interests. Instead, it will provide space for everyone’s views while working to protect civil and political rights as well as economic, social, health, education, welfare, and all other fundamental rights. He said a national organization would be established for this purpose, bringing together civil society activists from all political parties, ethnicities, and religions under a progressive new vision to safeguard democracy, and invited everyone to join the initiative.
