Opposition Seeks Debate on Executive Interference, Citing Threat to Judicial Independence

Opposition MPs have submitted a motion to Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne requesting an adjournment debate to condemn alleged interference by the Executive in the Judiciary. The proposal, prepared under the instructions of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, cites remarks made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a May Day rally on May 1. Opposition members argue that the President's statements, which allegedly alluded to preparing to celebrate a court verdict before its pronouncement, pose a grave threat to judicial independence. They are calling for the government to halt such remarks and for the President to withdraw his statement.