COLOMBO, Sept. 18 -- United National Party (UNP) Deputy Chairman Naveen Dissanayake has pledged the party's full support for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) protest against the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, while saying there is growing potential for closer political cooperation between the UNP and SJB.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that the SJB will hold a major public mobilization and peaceful protest in Colombo on September 24 against the proposed constitutional amendment, which he has alleged could undermine judicial independence and the rule of law.

Dissanayake said the UNP would participate in the protest under Premadasa's leadership, arguing that strong public pressure was necessary to protect t...