The convenor of the Janathawadi Joint Opposition has raised concerns that the government may attempt to postpone upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, citing statements from NPP members about remaining in power for two decades.
Prof. G. L. Peiris, convenor of the Janathawadi Joint Opposition, has voiced suspicion that the government intends to delay the next presidential election scheduled under Sri Lanka's five-year electoral cycle. Speaking at a gathering in Galle on Sunday, the former External Affairs Minister expressed serious concerns about both presidential and parliamentary polls, which are due in 2029 and 2030 respectively, following elections held in September and November 2024.
The opposition leader's warnings centre on the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment, which he argues poses a fundamental threat to democratic institutions. Prof. Peiris pointed to recent public statements by NPP members indicating intentions to remain in power for 20 to 25 years as evidence of potential electoral interference. He further noted that the government has already announced plans to cancel long-delayed Provincial Council elections, which he views as a troubling precedent.
A central concern involves control of the judiciary. Prof. Peiris contends that the amendment, while ostensibly addressing retirement ages for superior court judges, actually represents a strategy to subordinate the judiciary to political control. He questioned why recently retired Court of Appeal justices Dhammika Ganepola and R. Gurusinghe were not promoted to the Supreme Court, and criticized the government's retirement of multiple judges in recent months as part of a broader scheme to consolidate power through constitutional manipulation.
Prof. Peiris characterized the situation as democratic backsliding, warning that if the amendment passes, it would mark the end of democracy in Sri Lanka. He contrasted the current approach with the retirement of former Chief Justice Murdhu Fernando in July 2025, arguing the government has created a constitutional crisis by selectively extending some judges' tenures while forcing others to retire.