Let Us Protect the Country’s Sovereignty: Ranil Wickremesinghe

08-Sep-2026

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the present Government was engaged in efforts to destroy the country’s democratic system and the Opposition, and called for everyone to unite to protect the country’s sovereignty, just as people had united in 1946 to build an independent Sri Lanka.

He made these remarks in a special video message released on September 6 to mark the 80th anniversary of the United National Party.

He said the United National Party was founded on September 6, 1946, by a group led by D.S. Senanayake. Although the party’s founding members were no longer alive, their children and grandchildren continued to work with the party.

He noted that D.A. Rajapaksa had also been among the founding members and that two of his sons had subsequently served as Presidents of Sri Lanka.

He said the UNP’s 80th anniversary celebrations had now commenced, while September 17 would mark the 120th birth anniversary of former President J.R. Jayewardene.

He said a conference would be held in December following a programme aimed at raising awareness of the party’s contributions to the country, and that a modern UNP would emerge from the process.

“I expect to create a modern United National Party by formulating policies suited to present-day requirements, introducing new faces and building a Sri Lanka suitable for the 21st century,” he said.

Wickremesinghe recalled that D.S. Senanayake, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and several other leaders had secured independence for the country in 1948, enabling Sri Lanka to function as a sovereign nation.

He said the Republican Constitution was introduced on May 22, 1972, through which sovereignty was vested in the people, while the authority to exercise that sovereignty was assigned to the National State Assembly.

He said the UNP had sought several amendments during the 1977 General Election, the most important being that popular sovereignty should be exercised directly by the people.

He noted that Article 3 of the 1978 Constitution states that sovereignty belongs to the people and is inalienable, while Article 4 identifies Parliament, the President and the judiciary as representative institutions through which sovereignty is exercised.

However, he warned that the system was now facing a serious threat due to a failure to recognise popular sovereignty.

He said the UNP had opposed the 22nd Amendment because it did not provide for a referendum, and that the party had sought a referendum through the courts to establish its constitutional validity.

He alleged that the Government was now imposing restrictions and obstacles on various groups and political parties and was arresting politicians without sufficient reason.

“These actions are aimed at destroying the country’s democratic system and the Opposition. There are also attempts to undermine independent trade unions,” he alleged.

He further said campaigns were being conducted against the Bar Association and Buddhist monks, describing the situation as a serious issue.

He questioned whether the country was being governed from Parliament or from Pelawatte, alleging that the Opposition was not being given adequate opportunities to speak in Parliament.

He said the sovereignty of the people must be protected, along with Article 3 of the Constitution and the protection afforded to Buddhism under Article 9.

“We united in 1946 to create an independent Sri Lanka. In the same manner, let us now unite to protect the sovereignty of the country. We must all stand together,” he said.

Wickremesinghe also said he had invited Namal Rajapaksa, the grandson of one of the UNP’s founding members, D.A. Rajapaksa, to attend the party’s anniversary celebrations.

“Unfortunately, Namal Rajapaksa has been arrested. I strongly condemn this action on behalf of myself and the party,” he said.