JVP leaders past and present in conflict?

JVP’s priority now is to collect money - Somawansa

Somawansa Amarasinghe, the former leader of the JVP who dramatically quit the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has recently come out with a stinging attack on the current JVP leadership. Ready to form a new political party on June 27, Amarasinghe said the new party will continue JVP policies, formulated by comrade Rohana Wijeweera, which remain valid even today.

Excerpts:

Q: After leaving the JVP after long years, you are ready to embark on a new journey. Why?

A: This is not a new journey. The present Politburo and the Central Committee of the JVP ended my journey. So I quit the party but am continuing the journey. The first milestone of this new journey will become clear on 27 June when we have the first convention to launch the party formally.

Q: When quitting, you have given an undertaking not to criticize the party. But now you are criticizing the JVP?

A: No. They ended my journey. The problem with the JVP is that there is no self criticism. That’s why I quit the party.

They are making strategic blunders and people as well as the membership should know this. I must request the JVP members to demand a national convention and expel the four conspirators within.

Q: Can you name them?

A: They are; Tilvin Silva, K. D. Lalkantha, Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Vijitha Herath. They have made serious blunders. They are responsible for the downfall of the JVP as leaders. They have forgotten what their responsibility is. They are behaving in a manner not acceptable to the general membership of the JVP but also to the general public.

Q: In your view, what are these blunders?

A: They failed to adequately respond to the coup attempt on January 8, the day of the crucial presidential election, when the former president tried to stay on, by hook or crook. This was the only presidential election which could be called free and fair, after 1978.

The Rajapaksas wanted to make the election a fuss. They failed miserably to understand the political change that had occurred that day. The JVP could not even issue a media release, condemning the Rajapaksa regime and the conspirators who tried to keep the Rajapaksas in power.

Q: Why do you refer to clique of four’ conspirators at the Central Committee level?

A: I call them conspirators because, before the Politburo meeting, sometimes two of them, sometimes three of them and sometimes four of them, discuss what is to be presented to the Central Committee. That is not democracy.

There is no democracy within the JVP Central Committee. They should come to the Central Committee without prior discussion and discuss what is presented, for decision making. It should involve everyone. They can’t impose their decisions on the Central Committee. That is not democracy.

Q: You staged a fast on May 1 at the Independence Square, urging the authorities to expedite investigations into a possible coup attempt on January 8 night. Did you get the desired results?

A: The following day, the old security set up of the Rajapaksa regime was changed.

I must thank President Sirisena for understanding the serious situation. There had been a few attempts to take his (Sirisena) life.

The JVP does not think of the consequences of having the president assassinated. The future is not good for the JVP. There is a possibility of selecting Rajapaksa as the president, again. That will not be good for the JVP.

Q: Although you are criticizing Anura Kumara Dissanayake for leaning towards the UNP, the party has been holding demonstrations against the UNP led government?

A: They did have a demonstration on the June 18 to dupe the members and the public. I criticized them for towing the UNP line. That is why they staged a demonstration. Otherwise, they would have forgotten about it. Probably they could have obtained permission from the Prime Minister to hold a demonstration.

Q: Why do you say so?

A: The JVP is shouting slogans condemning the UNP, which is against their wish. They are annoying their friends by doing so. So to balance it out, the JVP leaders would have visited the UNP leadership and apologized. That’s the JVP of today.

Q: As the leader of the JVP, you also worked with the UNP in 2010, promoting Sarath Fonseka, the common presidential candidate?

A: I never worked with the UNP. In 2010, we supported Fonseka. But we did not have a coalition with the UNP. To be on the same platform does not mean were in a coalition. We were not. The UNP too supported Fonseka. I never worked with the UNP.

Q: As the leader of the JVP, you often boasted that the JVP was the cleanest political party in the island. Are those sentiments valid now?

A: Yes, I do. The JVP still does not rob the money of the people, the way others do.

They don’t rob public funds and I say it even now.

But there are other disputes. A Government minister has alleged that he had given millions to the JVP leadership. That had been not been conveyed to the Central Committee.

The worst part it, after this alleged incident, the JVP fell silent about UNP’s conduct. All that squabbling with the minister of Justice has suddenly stopped and one wonders why? This has been according to a UNP directive to not rock the relationship.

Q: According to the said minister, the alleged transfer of funds took place in 2010.Were you aware of that?

A: No. The said minister has recently disclosed that the money was given prior to the presidential election this year. The JVP leaders have not responded to this serious charge. The party leader had publicly claimed that the JVP was free to accept donations from anyone.

The JVP’s priority today is to collect money, not to do politics. Not to have the JVP on top. The ‘clique of four’ is politically corrupt and morally degenerated. They are also politically blind.

Q: Are you proposing that near Kumara Dissanayake is unsuitable for JVP leadership?

A: After his election, perhaps for the first four months, he was alright. He led the party and soon, the degeneration set in. He is not humble anymore. He does not respect other’s views and is suffering from an inferiority complex. He is fixated with his physical appearance.

Q: Were there any attempts by the JVP to take you back to the party folds?

A: There was an attempt. A discussion was scheduled for May 2 with the Central Committee. It lasted for about two hours. Out of that, half an hour was spent, consuming tea.

Then it was time to fix another date. The second discussion was fixed for May 11, after nine days. Then I realized, the JVP was not interested in having any discussion with me. At long last, I informed Tilvin Silva that I will not come.

But my proposals are there and they can decide in the interest of the party.

Q: But you are now ready to launch your own party. What is the new party’s ideology?

A: The new party will continue JVP policies which will reflect Comrade Rohana Wijeweera’s thinking. But the party will have a different name as the JVP is registered with the Elections Commissioner in that name. I am not willing to rob the JVP’s name but am keen to ensure the continuity of JVP policies in the country.

Q: What is the name of your party?

A: It will be decided at the convention scheduled for June 27. I won’t dictate terms and names to anyone. I have two to three names for suggestion. Others will bring their suggestions. Let it be a collective decision, taken at the convention.

Q: Do you expect JVP members to join you?

A: All members of this new party are original JVP members. Many more will join us in the future. They don’t want to remain within a JVP that is politically immoral and lacking foresight.

Q: Do you think the new party can challenge the political arties in existence?

A: I certainly think so.

He’s creating news for the media - Anura Kumara

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the current leader of the JVP dismissed the verbal attack by the former leader as something done by those who have ‘left the party creating news for the media’, claiming facts speak for themselves. He also dismissed allegations of divisions within the party and challenged Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to prove any monetary exchanges between them.

Excerpts :

Q: What are the priorities of the JVP concerning the present situation in the country?

A: We believe there is an anarchic situation in the country. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet have no mandate or moral right to govern. Except for condolences, the Parliament is not convened for debates. Nobody knows who the Opposition Leader is. The Speaker is saying Parliament cannot continue like this. No one is there to take responsibilities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of this Government to go home after fulfilling the pledges to the people, leaving room for the people to form a new Government. We are working towards achieving that goal.

Q: The JVP was of the opinion that the Government should be dissolved after completing the100 Days programme as promised. But the Government is still continuing without any dissolution. What is this doing to political stability?

A: Firstly, we believe the prevailing anarchic situation is not good for the country. The President and the Prime Minister are blocking the manner in which corruption is being dealt with, and the arrest of criminals as stipulated in the 100-days programme. There is no word about the Right to Information Bill and ethics for MPs. The National Audit Bill has not been presented to Parliament. All these promises have gone out of the agenda of the 100 Days programme. Only the promise of electoral reforms is still alive on the political platform as the President thinks he can stop the division of the SLFP through that. Several No Confidence Motions have been submitted in Parliament.

The flow of investments to the country has stopped. Businessmen are scared to invest their money in businesses. The Rupee has been devalued against the Dollar to historic lows. The period for the 100 Days programme has come to an end and its role has also come to an end.

Q: We saw the JVP playing a key role in getting the investigations on corruptions to the fore. But we see interferences diluting the process at present. Is there any change in the JVP stance on corruption?

A: We are strong in our stance on having the people responsible for corruption punished. Many allegations are levelled against former President Rajapaksa and his family members and their close associates, Ministers, Ministry Secretaries, Chairmen of Corporations. The power centre of the Rajapaksa regime has been charged with all these allegations. The institutions, which are investigating these allegations, are also paralysed now. Rajapaksa’s carried out their operations targeting to get these institutions paralysed. Now, the attempts by the President and the Prime Minister to mete out justice against these corrupt people have become lethargic. Many investigations were launched. But many of those investigations have become crippled in their final stages. Therefore, Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe and President, Maithripala Sirisena, should take complete responsibility for this situation.

Q: You made a strong case to get the investigations on the Avant Garde transaction back on track. But it seems the investigations have also become paralysed. There is criticism that you are also keeping silent on this issue. Who should take the responsibility for this situation?

A: To cover up the transaction, they are trying to pump up colossal amount of funds, get the involvement of the State officials and the politicians. The investigations are almost paralysed due to this situation. The President and the Prime Minister have also mediated in this paralysing process. Carrying out these investigations is the sole responsibility of the Government. But when the top hierarchy of the Government itself is blocking it, we can’t expect any positive result. The Government’s interest on this transaction has become very weak and lethargic.

Q: There is allegation that you are also keeping silent on this issue because of an agreement you have with the Prime Minister and the President. How do you respond to this allegation?

A: If we are coming to an agreement with the Prime Minister and a President who are blocking investigations on corruptions, we should not be from the JVP. I have revealed how Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Tilak Marapana have become defenders of Avant Garde. We have not interfered in the investigations. We openly say the present Defence Secretary, top government officials and politicians are directly involved in getting these investigations blocked. Exposing them is our objective, not to defend them.

Q: When you were dealing with this issue, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe claimed to the media that he had given you Rs. 2.5 million, and MP Sunil Handunnetti was a witness. What is your response to his statement?

A: That was in 2010 during the Presidential election. That was not Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who gave money to us but one of his close associates. I say with great responsibility that I have never taken money from Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. I challenge him to prove it.

Q: You said you had taken money from one of his close friends?

A: Yes. During election campaigns different people fund our campaigns. We don’t consider whether they are friends or relatives of Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. Even for the next general election we are expecting such assistance from well wishers. Those processes are being discussed in a very transparent manner within our party. Through that statement Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has shown his bankruptcy in politics.

Q: Are you justifying the position that anyone can fund your party at the elections campaign?

A: No. We find out about the donors to our party. But we don’t consider his or her relatives and friends. We don’t mind the position they hold. But we find out whether they are giving us black money, whether they are earning money through illegal means. We consider these facts serious when people come forward to donate us money. We accept donations only on that basis.

Q: There is criticism, especially by the former leader of the JVP, Comrade Somawansa Amarasinghe that you are working according to the agenda of the UNP?

A: Those who have left the party have reasons to justify their acts. They are making baseless allegations to justify their course of actions. Please find out what he had said when he quit the party and what he is saying now. Then you will understand what sort of conflict has arisen between him and the party.

Q: Do you agree with the idea that there is no democracy within the central committee of the JVP and it is dominated by four people including you?

A: The statement he is making after leaving the party is not worth responding to. We don’t want engage in a fight with anybody as expected by others. Society can understand what he is saying if they studying the facts closely.

Q: Do you think that the departure of Somawansa Amarasinghe from the JVP has made a big impact on the JVP?

A: Many people have left our party from time to time. No one has become a challenge for us. Our party is a voluntary organisation working collectively. Working voluntarily means we are not getting their service by force. But we think anybody at the grassroots level leaving the party makes an impact on the party. That is politics. By nature, the leftist political movements are facing such conflicts and challenges from time to time. But we are moving towards our goals despite all these challenges and conflicts within our parties. That is common to all leftist political movements of this country.

Q: Do you think there is division within the party at present?

A: No. No division within the party at all.

Q: If someone says you have changed in your attitudes and activities after you become the leader of the party, what would you say?

Picture courtesy: www.gossipsinhalanews.com

A: None of us came here expecting portfolios. What we are doing here is making our effort to fulfil the task entrusted to us as politburo member, central committee member or else as the leader of the party. What we are doing is fulfilling our responsibility towards the party but not in our individual capacity.

Q: How do you plan to face the next general election?

A: We have made a strong plan to launch the election campaign. Many experts are working with us to make this endeavour a success specially to launch our propaganda campaign. There are groups outside the party who are extending their support to us. Therefore, we are expecting that the forthcoming election would become successful one for us.

Q: What are the main criteria you consider when offering nominations to candidates.

A: We depend on the confidence and trust of the candidate when giving him or her nominations.

Q: Are you planning to form any alliances or fronts to contest the elections?

A: Not at all. We are contesting the election as a single party.