UNP, a puppet of British imperialism - JVP trade union leader K.D.
Lal Kantha
* No political deal with Fonseka
* We will not invite any political leaders
By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI
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K.D. Lal Kantha
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The inaugural ceremony to launch the anti-imperialist social movement
will be held today at 10 am at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, said
Former Parliamentarian and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Politburo
member K.D. Lal Kantha.
The Sunday Observer discussed the contemporary political situation
and the country's future with JVP Trade Union leader.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: The government came to power with a landslide victory. At present
the Opposition seems to be very feeble. Is the Opposition leadership
really weak? Are the people satisfied with the performance of the
government.
A: It is true that the government was elected to power with a popular
mandate. The performance of the Opposition is dismal in Parliament and
the public platform. There is a wide-spread frustration among people
specially the lower segments of the society and the working class. The
JVP's strength cannot be measured by its Parliamentary representation.
The JVP did not contest elections from 1965-1978 as the party was
banned from 1978-83. Only after 1994 the JVP contested the elections.
Throughout its history the JVP took the leadership of all mass
struggles. In many cases the JVP won its struggles. The government had
to abandon the proposed implementation of the private sector pension
scheme due to the opposition of the working class.
The government also could not go ahead with a number of issues due to
strong opposition of the working class.
Q: During the last election there were only two political forces.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa led the main political movement while there
was the Opposition to him led by others. Today the Opposition
organizations are split and remain for apart.
A: The JVP has fully understood the present political scenario. There
is a large gap between the capitalist and the neo liberal political
parties while the aspirations of the people remain unfulfilled.
The failure to handle political economic and social issues
effectively and the rising threat of the foreign powers to the country
continue to be the two major issues. This situation needs an urgent
solution. A new political orientation and solutions to the burning
issues are the needs of the hour. Having understood this situation the
JVP has laid the foundation for a new anti imperialist socialist
movement. The JVP has marked with people's movements such as civil
societies, academics, intelligent and working class.
Q: With the new political movement being set up what kind of program
will be implemented in the country?
A: the JVP visualises a socialist society. We have various strategies
to achieve this. Our future activities will be based on the new
political movement. We are confident that the people's victory could be
ensured through this new political movement.
Q: How would the UNP, SLFP and the traditional leftist parties such
as LSSP and CP react to your new political movement.
A: Our new socialist movement is not a mere political alliance. We
had given the leadership to a new political alliance in 2003 due to the
threat of Eelam posed by the Ceasefire Agreement.
Today the situation is different since the aspirations of the people
are not properly addressed. We will not invite any leaders of the
political parties.
Instead we invite only the people who seek and dream of a movement to
overcome the present situation and to achieve socialism.
We are not concerned with the policies of other political parties in
regard to certain issues. For example all traditional political parties
agree with the merits of decentralization on communal basis.
We maintain the policy that there is no ethnic problem as such in the
country. It is in fact a national problem. We believe that the solution
for all those problems could be achieved only through the people's
struggle.
Q: What you say is that you would appeal only to the rank and file of
political parties and social organisations.
A: The UNP is a puppet of the British imperialism and when JR came to
power he made the UNP a full-pledged capitalist party based on the US
model. The rank and file of the UNP have told us that they remain as
silent observers within the party awaiting a change in the situation.
Our new political movement, I believe is the ideal forum for such
disgusted political elements.
Q: All political parties except JVP agree to a Parliamentary Select
Committee (PSC) to seek a solution to the ethnic issue. What is the
JVP's stand on this issue?
A: We do not wish to take part in the PSC proceedings since it seeks
a solution to the issue only on communal basis. We reject this approach
outright. We also believe that the outcome of such a committee will be a
waste of time.
Above all the government should let us know what it proposes as a
solution.
There is no meaning in holding round-table talks or PSC's without
presenting the government's solution.
Q: the latest development is the release of former Army Commander
Sarath Fonseka. What is the JVP's stand on this?
A: Sarath Fonseka and JVP had an understanding in 2003 to introduce a
democratic constitution abolishing the 1978 Executive Presidency. The
DNA was formed mainly to seek Fonseka's release from prison since the
UNP left Sarath Fonseka in the lurch, the necessity arose to continue
his democratic program.
We cannot have any political deal with him at this juncture unless
and until we get a thorough understanding of his political economic and
social perspectives. |
