Whither JVP?

by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

Sri Lanka can claim credit for producing ‘political firsts’; with pride, for electing the first female Prime Minister in the world, Sirimavo Bandaranaike; not so, though it may be unique in history, for electing Ranil Wickremesinghe as President in spite of his failure to retain his parliamentary seat at the last general election! However, even if Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) were elected President, it would not be a first, in that many leaders of parties whose origins could be traced back to terrorism have been elected leaders of countries around the world but as ‘reformed revolutionaries’ who have earned the people’s trust. This raises the question whether the JVP of today is a party of ‘reformed revolutionaries’? I greatly doubt that for good reasons.

I wrote an article, a year ago, titled “AKD: Own up to past atrocities for a start!” (The Island, 24 February 2023), which started with the following: “Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake, some people say it is time that you and your party, the JVP, were given a chance as all others have failed us, whilst others point out that there is hardly a difference between you and the others in the corrupt bunch of politicians we are blessed with. As pointed out by many political commentators, your group is as hypocritical and self-serving as the others but some say that you are not as corrupt; but you have not been in power to test your incorruptibility. After all, it is power that corrupts!”

I concluded mine with the following appeal: “AKD! I have given all the details so that I leave no room for doubt. I am sure there are many other families who lost their loved ones at the hands of the JVP goons. To ameliorate their …read more

Source:: The Island