[Public Gathering Act] Savabaddy: 'I Ask the Government Not to Proceed with This Amendment'

Government lawmaker Anabelle Savabaddy grew emotional while speaking on the 2026/2027 budget in Parliament on Monday, June 22, 2026. She made a direct appeal to the Prime Minister to withdraw the amendment to the Public Gathering Act included in this budget. In her view, the government has always championed freedom of speech. 'We cannot accept this. There is absolutely no need for it, and I am asking for its removal from the budget,' Savabaddy stressed. Under the 2026/2027 budget proposals, the government intends to raise fines under the Public Gathering Act from Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000.