“We expected more”: JVP

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the party’s first media briefing soon after the election. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva and Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath are also present – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday admitted that it expected more votes than it obtained at Monday’s general election.

Commenting on the final results of the polls, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the results were not what the party expected.

“This time we have increased representativeness in Parliament compared to the last election. However, we were waiting for better results. Nevertheless we accept our downslide,” Dissanayake said.

Commenting on this decline, Dissanayake said the JVP was affected by the battle between two main parties.

“There was a huge competition between the two major parties. The JVP was contesting as the third party of this competition. We believe that this impacted the JVP’s vote base,” Dissanayake explained.

Dissanayake went on to say that the JVP would never support a national government, as it stated prior to the general elections. “We predicted that no major party could clinch a majority and now it has become a reality. The winning party will form the government by headhunting candidates from the Opposition. However we still stand firm on our stance; we will never take part in a national government,” Dissanayake asserted.

Moving on to comment on its future political plan, Dissanayake noted that the JVP would act as an opposition force.

“We will stand alongside the new Government in progressive proposals, instead of only criticising them. If the Government is going wrong, we will stand against it,” Dissanayake emphasised.

He further stated that the JVP would never change its stance or its Constitution due to the defeat.

“We don’t think we were defeated due to our strong stances based on our principles. We honestly love the people. We expect to add more good policies to our Party Constitution to win the next election in an effective manner,” Dissanayake asserted.

Dissanayake also used the opportunity to thank JVP voters as well as supporters who worked for the JVP’s election campaigns.

“We got vast support from each and every level of society, including professionals, labourers and youngsters. They placed their trust in the JVP and voted. Therefore we promise to fulfil their expectations as an opposition,” Dissanayake stated.