SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L Peiris has accused the government of not keeping its promises and pledges made to the people ahead of the 2020 General Election. Peiris said the aspiration of SLPP supporters are now destroyed.

“The government is doing the complete opposite of what it promised during the election campaign. The social contract between the people and their elected representatives is a core factor in parliamentary democracy, and it is paramount that it must exist in parliament. If that social contract is eroding or is destroyed, the democratic way of life cannot be revived," he said. The MP said there is a clear disparity between what the people want and the representation within the parliament

Peiris also said if the people want an election, that right must be ensured by calling for an election, adding that withholding that right in fear of defeat is unacceptable.

He made these remarks in parliament yesterday while announcing that he along with 13 other MPs has decided to sit with the opposition in parliament as an independent group.

Accordingly, SLPP MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Dilan Perera, Dr Nalaka Godahewa, Professor Charitha Herath, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, K. P. S. Kumarasiri, Dr Gunapala Rathnasekara, Udayana Kirindigoda, Dr Upul Galappatti, Dr Thilak Rajapaksa, Wasantha Yapa, and Lalith Ellawala have now decided to cross over to the opposition.