‘Anura, a leader of the new order’ – Mangala

 Monday, 06 October 2014 

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is a modern leftist leader who has identified the needs of the 21st century, said UNP leadership council member and communication unit head Mangala Samaraweera.

He has said so in an interview with ‘Irida Deshaya’ newspaper.

Samaraweera has also predicted that a government with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the president could be a coalition between the UNP and the SLFP, adding that the role of the opposition could go to the JVP.

Under such a UNP-SLFP regime too, corruption and fraud could take place to some extent, he said, proposing that in order to minimize such a situation, the JVP should be given power at COPE.

He has explained as to whether the JVP would be invited into a common opposition alliance at the presidential election.

“We will be inviting the JVP not to form governments, to approve UNP policies or to campaign for us, what we are saying is that before everything else, the dictatorship in the country should be defeated. We will have to forget about colour and party divisions. I too, believe that it is not proper for the UNP and the JVP to join together and run a country.

But, on the other hand, the JVP has a big role in the administration of a country. Their discipline, voice against corruption are important. Because, even under a regime by us, corruption will not be halted entirely. We too, will have shortcomings. Then, there should be a critical and strong opposition. That is how I see the JVP. What I am saying is that the JVP should be given the COPE.

Responding to a question by the interviewer as to whether he was saying the JVP was today playing the role of the critical, strong opposition, MP Samaraweera said,

“No. No. It is because we are fulfilling that task that 40 per cent of the people have placed their trust in us. But, the JVP says speedily and creatively what we too, say. When we both say the same thing, everybody prefers to hear what they say. Even without governing, the JVP has a big task to do on behalf of the country.

The JVP should join with us unconditionally to defeat this dictatorship and family regime.

In the future, the role of the main opposition could lie with the JVP. Because, what I see in the next government with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the president is a coalition between the UNP and the SLFP. Because, we and the SLFP do not have the difference between us and the JVP. So, once a government is formed with the support of a group in the SLFP, the JVP’s role as the opposition could bring good for the country.”