• Premadasa signs joint statement relating to the protest and confirms SJB’s attendance
• Says agitation is an attempt to re-establish people’s freedoms and democracy in the country
• Claims protest will go ahead despite any obstacles that may come its way
• JVP gives protest a miss

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the anti-Government protests planned for today will go ahead in spite of any obstacles that may come its way. 

“The protest march has been organised by various civil society groups, mass organisations, trade unions, activists and members of the public in a bid to re-establish the people’s freedoms and democracy in the country. We stand with the protest march no matter who refuses to support it. This is our right, the people’s right,” Premadasa said. 

He made these comments addressing a press briefing held at the Opposition leader's office in Colombo yesterday after the signing of a joint statement ahead of the protest march. 

Premadasa, issuing a message to the law enforcement agencies, said the people will exercise their democratic right by engaging in a peaceful protest. 

“Do not attempt to block it as we have no intention to stop the planned protest. We will march from Elphinstone Hall to the Fort Railway station despite the obstacles that may come our way. This is just the beginning,” he added. 

The planned protest march will commence at 3 p.m. from Elphinstone Hall and proceed to the Fort Railway Station. Around 150 organisations have confirmed their participation while 12 political parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Tamil National Alliance, Frontline Socialist Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party and 27 organisations have signed the joint statement relating to the protest march. The National People's Power led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna has announced it will not be part of today’s protest. 

The joint statement signed by the supporting parties and organisations says it is being held against the state-sponsored oppression that has been unleashed on the people for requesting solutions to their problems in the current economic crisis as well as the violation of the people’s fundamental rights. 

The organisers are calling on the Government to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act and to release all suspects currently being held under it. They are also demanding the Government stop its crackdown on peaceful protests and halt all arrests of those taking part in such agitations among several other requests. 

Business Chambers request all parties to call off today’s protests