JVP ready to “join with the devil” to defeat election delays

• JVP will take to streets if court case not withdrawn 
• Says Bond Commission reveals network of fraudsters involved in CB bond scam 

The JVP in Parliament yesterday declared that it was ready to join hands with its enemies to end the Government’s moves to further delay elections.

Leader of the JVP and Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissnayake participating in the Thrid Reading debate of Budget 2018, said that his party was even willing to partner with groups they detested to defeat the government’s tactics to postpone elections.

JVP...

“The Government is trying to postpone elections again using the judiciary. A case has been filed challenging the report of the delimitation committee. We can understand that when one is treated unjustly, he or she can appear before courts seeking justice; but in this case, the motive seeking the court’s intervention is neither just nor righteous. This is clearly an attempt to manipulate the judiciary for their political objectives.  We must understand the difference between seeking the court’s intervention for justice and abusing the courts for political gamesmanship.” 

“Not only are these sinister motives clear but also the nefarious persons behind this effort are clear as they are sitting opposite us. I ask you, why do you need to delay elections further? Local government elections have been delayed more than two and half years. A small gang with power behind it is trying to delay the elections further for their political survival, for what purpose?”

He asserted that if President Maithripala Sirisena and the Government fail to withdraw the case from the judiciary before 22 November, the JVP would join with political parties they had opposing views with and take to the streets in protest, adding that the JVP has firsthand experience of not having their democratic rights protected. 

“We, as the JVP, assure you now, in order to defeat this conspiracy, we will work with anyone. We would work with anyone, though we have ideological differences with them. We will not let the sovereignty of the people be squashed for the needs of a few men. We are a party which was depriving of its democratic rights by the leaders of the past. We have such a history and know its danger. Our party was banned. We faced many tragedies where our rights were deprived by anti-democratic leaders. 

“Therefore we are ready to fight any moves against democracy. If the President will not get his cronies to do away with the case by the 22nd of this month, he should understand that the country’s politics will turn a new direction from that day. If the President and the few surrounding him think that they call shots in this country’s politics they are mistaken. The people call the shots now.  The president should stop this. The case should be withdrawn on the 22nd when it is taken again in the Court. We would somehow defeat this move,” he said.

The JVP leader then charged that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Central Bank bond scam had now revealed that it was not one or two individuals involved but a web of fraudsters had colluded in the scandal.

“I agree with MP Karu Paranawithana who spoke before me and said there are other members who had dealt with Perpetual Treasuries Chief Arjun Aloysius. There is a whole network of people involved in it from various walks of life. There are Central Bank officials involved as well as several members of the business communities. Finally there are the politicians. All information on this corrupt network will be disclosed soon,” the Chief Opposition whip said.