The Vinivida Foundation has issued a strongly worded statement calling on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to immediately step down, alleging that he has “consciously failed” to fulfill his responsibilities during a critical constitutional moment.
In the statement, Secretary-General Nagananda Kodituwakku claims that Premadasa deliberately avoided taking action to defeat the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, which was presented by President Anura Dissanayake. The amendment, according to the Foundation, was introduced “fraudulently” to grant an illegal two‑year service extension to Chief Justice Padman Suresena, who is facing multiple corruption allegations.
Kodituwakku argues that the amendment was unconstitutional from the outset, and that Premadasa knowingly refrained from opposing it. The statement further alleges that information regarding corruption crimes committed during Premadasa’s time in government has now reached the President, leaving him politically vulnerable and unable to act.
The Foundation states that Premadasa, entrusted with a “heavy responsibility” as Opposition Leader, has failed to uphold the duties of the role. It insists that if he was unable to act due to past misconduct, he should have resigned and allowed a more capable individual to take over.
The statement also highlights ongoing concerns surrounding Chief Justice Suresena, who is accused of being involved in serious corruption cases, including the USD 999 million X‑Press Pearl compensation fraud. It claims that Suresena’s continued presence in office undermines judicial independence and places the judiciary under executive influence.
In light of these developments, the Vinivida Foundation urges Premadasa to “refrain from further burdening the public” and immediately hand over the Opposition Leader position to someone capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
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