Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has committed to standing by Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri following his conviction on assault and intimidation charges, vowing to pursue justice through the appellate process.

Sajith Premadasa, head of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party and leader of the parliamentary opposition, has announced his continued backing for MP Chaminda Wijesiri following a High Court verdict handed down in Badulla today. Premadasa told media representatives that while he respects the judiciary's role, he remains confident that Wijesiri will ultimately receive justice through legal appeals.

The Badulla High Court sentenced Wijesiri to eighteen months imprisonment after finding him guilty of wrongful restraint, assault causing bodily harm, and criminal intimidation of police officers. The charges stemmed from a 2019 incident near the Bandarawela roundabout, where prosecutors alleged that a confrontation between the MP's vehicle and a police jeep escalated into a physical altercation involving assaults and intimidation directed at law enforcement officers.

Premadasa characterized Wijesiri as a significant figure not only for his district and party but for the broader Sri Lankan public, noting his parliamentary advocacy on citizens' concerns. The opposition leader stated that his party intends to challenge the conviction through available legal channels, expressing confidence in the judicial system's capacity to ultimately deliver a just outcome for the MP.