Civil disobedience, general strike on Wednesday

By Yohan Perera | Daily Mirror
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Several political parties, including some UNP members, calling themselves the Movement against the 18th Amendment to the Constitution yesterday claimed that some ministers had expressed their desire to join the campaign against the reforms, which they described as a draconian piece of legislation.

The Movement will launch a civil disobedience campaign on Wednesday the day on which the constitutional reforms will be debated in parliament.

It has asked all public servants, MPs and others to wear black and launch a general strike on that day.

The Movement had also organized a massive protest at the Ayurveda junction on that day. The Media was told that several parliamentarians who are backing the Movement are also planning to hold a death fast.

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera told a news conference that some ministers have been talking to them during the past three days and had informed the Movement they would make a decisive move at the right time.

He therefore challenged the government to have a secret ballot in parliament on Wednesday.

Mr. Jayasekera said the government which was aware of this move against the reforms was planning to get MPs to vote by name.

He explained that the Movement would continue with the campaign against the emerging dictatorship irrespective of the number of MPs the government gets in the House.

“We will fight even if the government gets a five-sixth majority in parliament,” he said.

New Left Front Leader Wickremabahu Karunaratne said Movement had decided to declare September 8 as a black day and called on the people to wear black on that day because democracy would be buried on that day. Free Media Movement Convener Sunil Jayasekera said the proposed reforms would have dangerous consequences on media freedom as well. He predicted it would not be possible for the media to publish any important state information as the entire state sector would be totally politicized through this piece of legislation.

United Socialsit Party Leader Siritunga Jayasuriya, Nawa Sihala Urumaya leader Sarath Manamendra also participated at the news conference.

© Daily Mirror