The Leader of JVP Somawansha Amarasinghe and the members of political bureau including Nandana Gunatilleke seated at the 15th Commemoration ceremony of November Heroes.by Nilantha Ilangamuwa reporting from Colombo
(January, 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Janatha Vimuktthi Peramuna (JVP) is facing progressive slide in its political support base due to its failing leadership, says former JVP Member of Parliament Nandana Gunatilake in an exclusive interview to the Sri Lanka Guardian.
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“These serious mistakes are made by the General Secretary of the party and his colleagues. He wants class struggle without aligning with the Government. But the party position is different. The party was founded with an ideological leadership. The leadership must change their political path with the changing political climate to take over power.”______________________________________
The JVP tried to take over state power by two insurgencies but they failed. As many as sixty thousand youths died during their insurrections. Even JVP founder Rohona Wijeweera was killed after being captured by the government forces. Since then JVP abandoned its violent path and has joined the democratic political mainstream. They also were able to win more than 30 parliamentary seats in the last general election. This has put them in a position to bargain with the government.
Nandana Gunatillake MP keeps away from the JVP activities due to serious conflict with its General Secretary Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP. Nanada was one time the Presidential candidate of the JVP. Having given up links with the JVP, he is working as an independent MP in the parliament.
According to Nandana Gunatillake, JVP is facing serious crisis at present and he says ‘they haven’t got a good future in Sri Lanka politics’. ‘There are few serious internal conflicts within the party’ he said.
‘The JVP was founded by Comrade Rohana Wijeweera to change the gambling political system and advance the status of the poor people. The movement’s politics led for a social struggle based on socialist ideals’ said Nandana Gunatillake.
Here is the full text of an interview with Sri Lanka Guardian:
Q: Is your life safe after leaving the JVP?
A: Surely, you will understand my security and safety situation. Because of this you had difficulties in arranging this interview. I am using different vehicles all the time and even I can’t go to public places. Some JVP seniors set people to follow me and they want me to stop engaging in politics.
Q: You are working as an Independent Member of Parliament. But you are always supporting the Government. Why can’t you join with the Government? They will give more security for you?
A: Of course. Unfortunately, I never agree with everything the government and the President is doing. I have criticized some of the actions of this government. I can’t live as a puppet.
Q: What are you doing to confront the deadly situation facing you?
A: Laughing….Change physical appearance to safe my life....?
Q: You started your politics with the JVP. But unfortunately you are now living like a prisoner of the JVP. How do you feel about this?
A: This is not a party problem. It was done by few who are carrying out selfish politics in the party. As a party I am not worried about the party. But these individuals….. ?
Q: Have you met Mr. Wijeweera-the late leader of the JVP?
The JVP tried to take over state power by two insurgencies but they failed. As many as sixty thousand youths died during their insurrections. Even JVP founder Rohona Wijeweera was killed after being captured by the government forces. Since then JVP abandoned its violent path and has joined the democratic political mainstream. They also were able to win more than 30 parliamentary seats in the last general election. This has put them in a position to bargain with the government.
Nandana Gunatillake MP keeps away from the JVP activities due to serious conflict with its General Secretary Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP. Nanada was one time the Presidential candidate of the JVP. Having given up links with the JVP, he is working as an independent MP in the parliament.
According to Nandana Gunatillake, JVP is facing serious crisis at present and he says ‘they haven’t got a good future in Sri Lanka politics’. ‘There are few serious internal conflicts within the party’ he said.
‘The JVP was founded by Comrade Rohana Wijeweera to change the gambling political system and advance the status of the poor people. The movement’s politics led for a social struggle based on socialist ideals’ said Nandana Gunatillake.
Here is the full text of an interview with Sri Lanka Guardian:
Q: Is your life safe after leaving the JVP?
A: Surely, you will understand my security and safety situation. Because of this you had difficulties in arranging this interview. I am using different vehicles all the time and even I can’t go to public places. Some JVP seniors set people to follow me and they want me to stop engaging in politics.
Q: You are working as an Independent Member of Parliament. But you are always supporting the Government. Why can’t you join with the Government? They will give more security for you?
A: Of course. Unfortunately, I never agree with everything the government and the President is doing. I have criticized some of the actions of this government. I can’t live as a puppet.
Q: What are you doing to confront the deadly situation facing you?
A: Laughing….Change physical appearance to safe my life....?
Q: You started your politics with the JVP. But unfortunately you are now living like a prisoner of the JVP. How do you feel about this?
A: This is not a party problem. It was done by few who are carrying out selfish politics in the party. As a party I am not worried about the party. But these individuals….. ?
Q: Have you met Mr. Wijeweera-the late leader of the JVP?
A: Yes. I met him during a presidential election campaign in 1982. I spoke few words with him as a party supporter.
Q: Is JVP different to LTTE?
A: Of course. The JVP is altogether different from the LTTE. JVP has political goals embodying all the communities in Sri Lanka. They respect the rights of the people. The JVP is struggling to uphold Socialism and not fascism of the LTTE.
Q: The 1971 insurrection of the JVP against the government was centered within the Sinhala community and not a single incident or uprising was recorded in the Tamil community involving the JVP.
A. That’s true. The JVP could not make inroads into the Tamil community when the party took its first step. But Comrade Wjeweera respected the Tamil people too like the Sinhalese. JVP had organized political meetings in Jaffna and also tried to extend their political struggle to the people there in 1971. They did not make good progress but JVP established a good foundation in their second struggle in 1987.
Q: Is Mr. Wijeweera wanted a revolution like the Zanzibar Island revolution?
A: No. He was seeking Sri Lankan revolution reflecting local cultural heritage and not a copycat revolution. But he had contacts with well known revolutionaries’ world over.
Q: But he failed?
A: He never failed. He turned the politics of Sri Lanka since he started the JVP. The Government fought a battle to finish the JVP. They did not succeed. We are involved in the democratic struggle as guided by our founder leader Comrade Wijeweera.
Q: Is military wing of the JVP functioning since they handed over their arms to late President Premadasa’s regime?
A: Military wing…of course not. The party was handed over the arms to the government.
Q: But according to reports, if Mr. Wijeweera was alive, JVP never would have entered the democratic mainstream as a political party. They would have continued like the LTTE indefinitely. Do you agree?
A. Never. This comment is an exaggeration by some anti JVPers who does not have in-depth understanding of Comrade Wijeweera. I wish to tell them to read about Comrade Wijeweera with a positive mind.
Q: Loss of Mr. Wijeweera…how damaging to the JVP?
A: It is huge damage. There is huge vacuum within the party. The current situation will explain the predicament faced by the party and leadership making foolish decisions on many fronts.
Q: Are you blaming the present leader Somawansa Amarasinghe?
A: No. These serious mistakes are made by the General Secretary of the party and his colleagues. He wants class struggle without aligning with the Government. But the party position is different. The party was founded with an ideological leadership. The leadership must change their political path with the changing political climate to take over power.
Q: Do you think JVP should join the Government?
A: Yes. Because, by joining, they can take powerful ministerial posts. It will help future progress of the JVP. Even it will help reduce corruption of the government and also can help reduce the present jumbo cabinet.
Q: But JVP is strongly supporting the Government without joining. Why it is not a problem?
A: It’s not a problem for the government but it is a serious a problem for the future of the JVP. I think it is self destruction. The people think JVP can’t work together and they are only talkers.
Q: You said, JVP should join the Government. Does it mean Rajapakse government? The JVP including you supported the selection of Lakshman Kadirgamar to become the Prime Minister in the cold race with Mahinda Rajapaksa in the past?
A: It was a deferent situation. If government had appointed Late Kadirgamar as Prime Minister, he would have been alive. Unfortunately, the government decisions are based on racial lines even with Kadirgamar
Q: The Government going for fight to finish. Do you think they can eliminate the LTTE?
A: Definitely they can. But political resolution must come as soon as possible. Next serious problem will start when the government fails to find a political solution.
Q: Do you agree with the APRC, on power devolution to the minorities?
A: APRC is a pretext. It’s based on western needs and not according to Sri Lankans. But political solutions must be based on unitary system and not under the theme of united Sri Lanka. India’s power devolution is based on unitary system and it is not based on federal principles.
Q: How do you assess the future of the JVP?
A: Unfortunately situation for the JVP confirm it lacks in-depth vision. The JVP is politically sliding. It is my belief they will lose their seats in the parliament to 10 in the next election.
Q: Did you have alternatives policies for the JVP?
A: Restructured party must seek to deal with social reforms with realism without living in the dream world.
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