By The Pulseline News Desk
The Free Action Center for the Protection of Democracy, led by the likes of former Governor Maithri Gunaratne and Shiral Lakthileka, has withdrawn from a protest scheduled for today (24) against the proposed 22nd Amendment, saying developments surrounding the event have made it difficult to maintain the broad-based and non-partisan campaign it originally envisaged.
The protest is expected to involve members of the Opposition, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and is focused on proposed constitutional changes that include extending the retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and other superior courts.
In a statement, the Free Action Center said it had consistently advocated democracy, the rule of law, judicial independence and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights since its establishment.
Against this backdrop, Thursday (September 24) had been designated for a joint public protest bringing together citizens and groups concerned about democratic governance and institutional independence.
According to the organisation, the intention was to create a broad, peaceful and strong public movement against any threat to democratic rights and the independence of key institutions, while remaining above the political interests of any individual party or group.
However, it said various views, statements and actions that emerged subsequently in connection with the proposed protest had created difficulties in proceeding with the broad and unified campaign initially envisaged.
The organisation therefore announced that it would withdraw its official participation from the joint programme scheduled for today.
The decision comes amid heightened public and political debate over the proposed 22nd Amendment, particularly provisions relating to the tenure and retirement age of judges.
The proposed constitutional changes have already drawn objections from sections of the legal profession and civil society, with concerns centred on judicial independence and the potential implications of altering the existing constitutional framework governing the superior judiciary.
The Free Action Center’s withdrawal adds another dimension to the debate, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining a common platform among groups that may share concerns about constitutional reform but differ over the political character and conduct of the campaign opposing it.
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