Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday alleged that the current Government is attempting to suppress Opposition political activists and other groups by levelling various allegations and entangling them in legal proceedings.

He made these remarks during a meeting with leaders of Opposition parties held yesterday morning (25) at the United National Party office on Flower Road, Colombo.

Wickremesinghe strongly objected to what he described as the intimidation of lawyers and organised campaigns carried out via social media targeting members of the Maha Sangha. He claimed that certain sections of social media were engaged in a large-scale campaign against the Sangha, while a separate programme aimed at instilling fear among members of the legal profession was also under way.

He further alleged that the Government was seeking to restrict the activities of political parties and curb the freedom of social media activists. According to Wickremesinghe, the filing of various court cases amounted to political victimisation intended to weaken the Opposition.

Despite ideological differences, he said he was prepared to work together with all Opposition groups to safeguard the rights of the people and protect the country’s culture.

“Once these matters are protected, we can debate what is right and what is wrong. The people have the right to choose between good and bad. Therefore, every step you take will have my full support and that of my party,” he said.