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Thursday Nov 14, 2024
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recognised the importance of giving proper leadership to these isolated struggles. The JVP will take every effort to bring them to a common platform.
Thirdly, as a party the JVP has decided to plan and prepare for the next general election. We agree there is ample time, but we need to start now. We will build a strong election rally.
As a country we have failed to address the real issues of the people in the north. It is high time we raise a voice for these innocent people. The present regime has neglected and abandoned them. As a responsible political party it is our duty to safeguard the rights of the people in the north. I personally believe the JVP too hasn’t taken much effort to reach the minorities in this country, especially the Tamils. We have failed to talk sufficiently about the issues of these people. We have recognised the importance of working closely with the Tamils. We have worked out a special program for the betterment of the Tamils in the north and estate Tamils. It is currently being discussed at the Central Committee. Therefore, the JVP will take every possible measure to reach the Tamils in the north and estates.
Q: How does it feel to be the Leader of the JVP?
A: No one in the JVP has joined this party expecting positions. We are in the party because we want to work. During the ’88/’89 period a large number of our leaders were killed. At that time we were young members without much experience. None of us came to this party asking for responsibilities. The first task of most of those who came to the party would have been pasting posters. All of us are obliged to fulfil any responsibility the party wanted us to. However, when we first came into active politics, we had to face numerous challenges. We had to take this party to the people. We were given various responsibilities and challenges and we had to fulfil those duties entrusted to us. Our task is to serve the party. We care less about positions and perks.
Q: What are the challenges you have to face as the new Leader of the JVP?
A: The biggest challenge is to create an ideology among the people. People in this country no longer see the true picture. Journalists are killed, journalists are assaulted and threatened. Media institutions are burnt and damaged. Some media institutions are bought over by the Government and some voluntarily dance to the tune of the Government because they don’t want to be in trouble. People no longer see or hear the truth. This country no longer enjoys freedom of expression. This is a grave situation. We are compelled to listen and watch this fiction portrayed by the Rajapaksa regime and believe that is the truth. It is our duty to expose the wrongdoings of the Government.
What we need is a system change. This is not as simple as changing a regime. A system change requires more time, organising and strategy. Sadly today the law of the country has become Rajapaksa’s will. This has to be changed. We need to alert the people. We need to create an ideology among them. This is our biggest challenge.
As a leftist movement we need to be more organised. As a party we have to be prepared to confront this regime. So while alerting and educating the people, we will have to be more organised. We need to be stronger and more powerful internally.
Q: What immediate changes need to be made in the party?
A: In our party we take collective decisions. When a new leader comes to power he will not try to change anything that was done under the previous leadership. I know that is how other political parties in our country works. But the JVP is different; it is not how our party works.
More than changing things, there are many things we need to learn from comrade Somawansa Amarasinghe. No one in our party can match his vast knowledge and experience. Comrade Amarasinghe was arrested in 1971 and went through immense hardships in prisons and detention camps for more than five years. However, the faith in socialism or the victory of the party never escaped him. Therefore, more than changing what he has done, we have to learn from his leadership.
Q: Do you believe the leadership change will help to revive the party?
A: There is a common agreement among the people that it is only the JVP that talks about national issues. They know that we are the only party which will speak for them. People believe that we will criticise the Rajapaksa administration and continue to expose how corrupt this regime is. Whether people vote for us or not, they have faith in us. What we need to do as a party is to work out a mechanism to rally these people and we are ready to do that.
I strongly feel that the programs we launched at the seventh convention such as the ‘Our Vision’ policy framework and providing leadership to isolated protests and struggles along with our new publicity campaign will make a change. All these measures will help revive the party. We are hopeful that we will be able to rise once again as a strong party.
Q: Once again the Government is charged up about an attempt to table a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council to be held in March. Your comments?
A: Western nations, especially the United States, have interfered in the internal matters of countries like ours for a long period of time. Unfortunately the Rajapaksa regime is ‘offering them opportunities on a platter, inviting these forces to meddle with our internal matters.
After the war we could have changed in numerous ways. Sri Lanka could have made that the opportunity to begin many things. But the Rajapaksa regime failed and unfortunately they failed the country too. This Government never tried to get out of the war mentality. They continue to suppress Tamils and people who talk on behalf of Tamils are labelled as terrorists and traitors. They continue to brag about the war 
victory. This is their biggest mistake. The war in this country is over. We all know that. We need to move forward. Unfortunately this Government can’t understand this simple truth.
This bragging about crushing the Tigers as well as the Government’s failure to address the real issues facing the Tamils is leading this country towards another clash. This Government can’t understand that after just five years, we are gradually losing whatever peace we achieved in 2009. We are pushing the Tamils in this country towards another conflict. The Rajapaksa regime has failed to bring the rapid rehabilitation and reconstruction programs that should have been initiated five years ago.
The language issue is another sensitive and important matter for the Tamils. This Government is not in the least concerned about such matters. We have to respect these people. They have their own religion, language, rituals and customs. Why can’t we accept that?
Rather than making an attempt to address the issues facing the Tamils, what did the Government do? It initiated military rule in the north, further suppressing those innocent people. The people in the north cannot have a party or even a funeral without military interference. There is no longer civil administration in those areas; it is the military that rules.
"We can clearly see that people are rising against the present regime. But these are mainly isolated protests and struggles. We have recognised the importance of giving proper leadership to these isolated struggles. The JVP will take every effort to bring them to a common platform
As a country we have failed to address the real issues of the people in the north. It is high time we raise a voice for these innocent people. The present regime has neglected and abandoned them. As a responsible political party it is our duty to safeguard the rights of the people in the north
The biggest challenge is to create an ideology among the people. People in this country no longer see the true picture. Journalists are killed, journalists are assaulted and threatened. Media institutions are burnt and damaged. Some media institutions are bought over by the Government and some voluntarily dance to the tune of the Government because they don’t want to be in trouble. People no longer see or hear the truth. This country no longer enjoys freedom of expression. This is a grave situation
What we need is a system change. This is not as simple as changing a regime. A system change requires more time, organising and strategy. Sadly today the law of the country has become Rajapaksa’s will. This has to be changed. We need to alert the people. We need to create an ideology among them. This is our biggest challenge
After the war we could have changed in numerous ways. Sri Lanka could have made that the opportunity to begin many things. But the Rajapaksa regime failed and unfortunately they failed the country too. This Government never tried to get out of the war mentality
Rather than making an attempt to address the issues facing the Tamils, what did the Government do? It initiated military rule in the north, further suppressing those innocent people. The people in the north cannot have a party or even a funeral without military interference. There is no longer civil administration in those areas; it is the military that rules. While they suppress the Tamils in the north, they are meddling with the lives of people in the other parts of the country too
In today’s world no country can isolate itself and battle with the rest of the world. We need each other. Technology, knowledge, literature, culture – all these factors have interconnected all nations in the world. No country can exist in isolation
The JVP should mediate and give leadership to build a people’s power and a common political program by rallying all forces that could gather to end the executive presidential system and family rule. The undemocratic, arbitrary and despotic family rule that is being built in the country should be toppled immediately and no room should be left in the country for a similar administration"
While they suppress the Tamils in the north, they are meddling with the lives of people in the other parts of the country too. They chased out the Chief Justice, they brought in the 18th Amendment that further strengthens autocratic rule. When people take to the streets against these matters, what does this Government do? It shoots them and kills them in broad daylight.
When the Government acts in such a manner, we are helping forces like the United States to interfere in our internal matters. It gives them a good opportunity. This is a serious threat to our country. But the Government is using it for its own advantage. This is exactly why the southern provincial election which was due to be held in last September is now scheduled for March. They knew the outcome of the March sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva would be serious and they have scheduled the elections during the same time to take advantage of the situation.
What is important is identifying the breaking line. One cannot embrace the Rajapaksas and then fight against the United States and other international forces. Meanwhile, one cannot support the international forces and blame the Rajapaksas. Both the international forces and present regime are on one side. If we are unable to identify this simple truth we will never be able to solve these matters.
Q: If the JVP comes to power, how would you counter allegations by international forces on human right violations and war crimes?
A: We are a sovereign nation. On one hand, other nations have to respect the fact that we are an independent country. On the other hand, we also must respect other nations. This is why we need to adopt a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence. Other nations adopt an aggressive foreign policy towards our country. Meanwhile Sri Lanka is clashing foreign policy. We need to change this. We have to adopt a peaceful coexisting foreign policy.
In today’s world no country can isolate itself and battle with the rest of the world. We need each other. Technology, knowledge, literature, culture – all these factors have interconnected all nations in the world. No country can exist in isolation.
Q: How prepared are you to face the forthcoming Western and Southern Provincial Council elections?
A: When we heard that the Geneva proposals would take place in March, we knew the Government would schedule elections during the same time. We commenced preparations early. We announced Lalkantha as our Western Province chief ministerial candidates three months before the elections were announced.
We are prepared. Our aim is not only focused on the provincial council elections. We are on a mission of building a strong election rally. Meanwhile, we adopted a series of resolutions for a new socialist social system to replace the vicious economic policies that torment the masses, which allow a small section of the prestigious class to grab the wealth of the economy.
The JVP should mediate and give leadership to build a people’s power and a common political program by rallying all forces that could gather to end the executive presidential system and family rule. The undemocratic, arbitrary and despotic family rule that is being built in the country should be toppled immediately and no room should be left in the country for a similar administration.
