Former President Maithripala Sirisena today (24) called on all political parties to put aside their divisions and work together to safeguard the freedom of the people and democracy in Sri Lanka.

He made this statement while addressing the joint press conference of opposition party leaders held at the Amari Hotel, Colombo, following the arrest and remand of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sirisena emphasised the importance of unity in the face of current challenges to democratic values.
“In a democratic society, understanding its true worth is crucial. If democracy is under threat, then everyone who values it has both the responsibility and duty to act. This is not the time for political divisions — it is the time to come together to protect the freedom of the people and the country’s democratic system,” he said.

Reflecting on the hardships faced by politicians, he noted:
“Many of us have endured struggles, been imprisoned, and faced difficulties because of our political paths. That is part of political life. In fact, I would even say that unless a politician has at some point been remanded, his political journey is not a complete one. While it is unfortunate that Ranil Wickremesinghe has been taken into remand custody, we must recognise this reality of political life.”

Sirisena urged all opposition parties and legal professionals to make every effort to ensure Wickremesinghe’s release.
“We, as political parties and democratic forces, must commit ourselves to doing everything possible within democratic means to secure his freedom,” he said.