A scene of the protest (Photo Elmo Fernando)

Addressing the thousands of supporters gathered to Colombo after a march from Hanguranketha, parliamentarian Rajitha Senarathne expected the petition to carry 10,000 signatures.

Tuesday’s protest rally was organised by the UNP to demand the release of Dissanayake who was jailed for two years for contempt of court.

SB and Chandrika

UNP expect 10,000 to sign a petition asking the release of SB

Addressing the gathering, leader of the opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe said their struggle not only aimed for release of Dissanayake.

“This struggle should not end with the release of SB,” Wickramasinghe said.

It is for the “freedom” of the country, he said.

Dissanayake’s wife Tamara recalled that her husband was instrumental in bringing the Peoples’ Alliance (PA) into power in 1994.

“I think nobody else in PA or SLFP endeavoured as SB to sit Chandrika on the presidential throne,” she said.