Kumar Gunaratnam was not in the JVP
By Dilanka Gunatilaka-2016-04-12
General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva says some of those who broke off from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are now in Mahinda Rajapaksa's lap. "Another group has become a very small faction without a vote base".
Excerpts:
?What is the objective of holding the April Heroes Commemoration?
A: The April Heroes Commemoration is being held for the 45th occasion, this time. Forty five years ago on 5 April 1971, the first generation of comrades who laid the foundation of our party took up arms against the oppressive administration that existed in the country then. About ten thousand members of our party sacrificed their lives in that endeavour. What we commemorate on 5 April is that uprising which our party launched on behalf of freedom and social justice, as well as the future of our party. We hold this commemoration under the theme, "Let us commemorate our comrades forever," every year.
A: The April Heroes Commemoration is being held for the 45th occasion, this time. Forty five years ago on 5 April 1971, the first generation of comrades who laid the foundation of our party took up arms against the oppressive administration that existed in the country then. About ten thousand members of our party sacrificed their lives in that endeavour. What we commemorate on 5 April is that uprising which our party launched on behalf of freedom and social justice, as well as the future of our party. We hold this commemoration under the theme, "Let us commemorate our comrades forever," every year.
?What has the JVP done on behalf of heroes beyond commemorative functions?
A: The objective of those who sacrificed their lives in April of 1971 was building up socialism in this country, to build up a party for that purpose. As a party we did not give up that objective and we brought forward the party they created. We have been able to provide victories for the people during that journey. Where democracy is concerned, we have achieved great things on behalf of the people. Therefore, we are travelling a certain political trajectory towards political objectives in order to fulfil the wishes of April heroes. We believe that it is what we have done on their behalf.
A: The objective of those who sacrificed their lives in April of 1971 was building up socialism in this country, to build up a party for that purpose. As a party we did not give up that objective and we brought forward the party they created. We have been able to provide victories for the people during that journey. Where democracy is concerned, we have achieved great things on behalf of the people. Therefore, we are travelling a certain political trajectory towards political objectives in order to fulfil the wishes of April heroes. We believe that it is what we have done on their behalf.
?What were the special objectives of this year's April Heroes Commemoration?
A: Today the capitalist system has run into a serious crisis. Our Prime Minister even had to state in Parliament that since there was a massive economic crisis, the people would have to get ready to take bitter medicine. What they are trying to do is get people to drink bitter medicine and for them to remain on a side. At the same time, their capitalist government is in crisis. They are finding it hard to administer the country. The hopes people had about the government have collapsed. People are being weighed down with economic burdens. People are raising their voices against this situation. Therefore, there should be a solution for that crisis.
The solution for that is not to bring back the defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa gang. We have to defeat everyone of those groups and build a new society within our country. This time we commemorated April Heroes with the objective of mobilizing people's power for that aim.
A: Today the capitalist system has run into a serious crisis. Our Prime Minister even had to state in Parliament that since there was a massive economic crisis, the people would have to get ready to take bitter medicine. What they are trying to do is get people to drink bitter medicine and for them to remain on a side. At the same time, their capitalist government is in crisis. They are finding it hard to administer the country. The hopes people had about the government have collapsed. People are being weighed down with economic burdens. People are raising their voices against this situation. Therefore, there should be a solution for that crisis.
The solution for that is not to bring back the defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa gang. We have to defeat everyone of those groups and build a new society within our country. This time we commemorated April Heroes with the objective of mobilizing people's power for that aim.
?Isn't socialism as well as capitalism facing a crisis right now?
A: Capitalism does not allow socialism to exist within capitalism. The fact that capitalism has been unable to fulfil the basic needs of the people of this country has been amply demonstrated by our politics that have brought to power the same two parties alternately for 68 years. Therefore, there is only one alternative before us today. As a political option, which people have not tried out, the JVP should be given an opportunity. We are also using this Heroes Commemoration function as one of the stepping stones to that opportunity.
A: Capitalism does not allow socialism to exist within capitalism. The fact that capitalism has been unable to fulfil the basic needs of the people of this country has been amply demonstrated by our politics that have brought to power the same two parties alternately for 68 years. Therefore, there is only one alternative before us today. As a political option, which people have not tried out, the JVP should be given an opportunity. We are also using this Heroes Commemoration function as one of the stepping stones to that opportunity.
?Various forces which were with the JVP previously have broken off from the party and are engaged in separate journeys. Did that happen because of a fault of the JVP or due to a fault of the groups that broke off?
A: History has proved who is right and who is wrong. When you look back it is possible to see where those who broke off from the JVP are now. A faction is in Mahinda Rajapaksa's lap. Another group has become a very small faction without any vote base. However, the JVP having won the people's trust is in the process of moving forward. When working as a party of the left, there are difficulties. There are no privileges. As a result some people give up. But the JVP is moving forward amidst many hardships. History has vindicated us.
A: History has proved who is right and who is wrong. When you look back it is possible to see where those who broke off from the JVP are now. A faction is in Mahinda Rajapaksa's lap. Another group has become a very small faction without any vote base. However, the JVP having won the people's trust is in the process of moving forward. When working as a party of the left, there are difficulties. There are no privileges. As a result some people give up. But the JVP is moving forward amidst many hardships. History has vindicated us.
?Kumar Gunaratnam who was engaged in leftist and JVP politics has been imprisoned today. What are you doing for him on the April Heroes Commemoration?
A: We do not hold the Heroes Commemoration to commemorate those who are alive. It is held to commemorate those who died within the '71 struggle. So, what people who are alive should do is to work towards achieving their own political goals. We too were in prison. We engaged in politics from within the prison. So, if those who represent a revolutionary political movement fall in the face of adversity they cannot carry on with their task.
A: We do not hold the Heroes Commemoration to commemorate those who are alive. It is held to commemorate those who died within the '71 struggle. So, what people who are alive should do is to work towards achieving their own political goals. We too were in prison. We engaged in politics from within the prison. So, if those who represent a revolutionary political movement fall in the face of adversity they cannot carry on with their task.
?I am asking you about something else. He was a powerful figure during a certain era of the JVP. I am asking what the JVP is doing for him?
A: That is not our problem, our fight. It is the members of his party who have to do something for him. He as well others say that he was a powerful figure in the JVP. However, there was no such person in the JVP. His problem is before Court.
A: That is not our problem, our fight. It is the members of his party who have to do something for him. He as well others say that he was a powerful figure in the JVP. However, there was no such person in the JVP. His problem is before Court.
?You are saying that a faction that broke off from the JVP has fallen into Mahinda's lap. However, the present leader of the JVP is called the 'Red Baby Elephant' Why are such labels around?
A: Everyone who became pets of capitalists in our country stood up for those capitalists and insulted us. They threw mud at us. Prior to 1971, the 'Eththa' newspaper said we were engaged in a CIA agenda to bait youth in order to attack the Samagi Peramuna. At that time we were called CIA recruits by the Sama Samaja and Communist Parties.
Then after 1977 we were attacked saying we were the tail of the UNP. However, it was the UNP that banned our party and suppressed us. Even today when we are working strongly on behalf of the country two factions are attacking us. One is the capitalists, the other, their pets. We do not take any notice of their reproaches. Our conscience is clear that we are not the pawns of anyone.
A: Everyone who became pets of capitalists in our country stood up for those capitalists and insulted us. They threw mud at us. Prior to 1971, the 'Eththa' newspaper said we were engaged in a CIA agenda to bait youth in order to attack the Samagi Peramuna. At that time we were called CIA recruits by the Sama Samaja and Communist Parties.
Then after 1977 we were attacked saying we were the tail of the UNP. However, it was the UNP that banned our party and suppressed us. Even today when we are working strongly on behalf of the country two factions are attacking us. One is the capitalists, the other, their pets. We do not take any notice of their reproaches. Our conscience is clear that we are not the pawns of anyone.
?Even though you say that the JVP is going forward strongly, during the last General Election the JVP received very few seats. Doesn't that mean that the JVP too has been rejected by the people?
A: Everyone has the freedom to define it in various ways. However, the success of the JVP cannot be measured only through votes. We have a massive strength which goes beyond votes. Even today we have the largest trade union movement. We are the people who provide leadership to agrarian and youth campaigns. The JVP who has such massive power cannot be evaluated through elections alone. It is difficult to engage in an election campaign without lying to the people, without giving bribes and without distributing Sil cloths. We have policy based votes. It is difficult to obtain policy based votes amidst fraud and corruption. But that does not mean that the JVP has been rejected by the people. Our responsibility is to bring the JVP to power. We are carrying out the necessary tasks to achieve that.
A: Everyone has the freedom to define it in various ways. However, the success of the JVP cannot be measured only through votes. We have a massive strength which goes beyond votes. Even today we have the largest trade union movement. We are the people who provide leadership to agrarian and youth campaigns. The JVP who has such massive power cannot be evaluated through elections alone. It is difficult to engage in an election campaign without lying to the people, without giving bribes and without distributing Sil cloths. We have policy based votes. It is difficult to obtain policy based votes amidst fraud and corruption. But that does not mean that the JVP has been rejected by the people. Our responsibility is to bring the JVP to power. We are carrying out the necessary tasks to achieve that.
?What will the journey of the JVP be after the April Heroes Commemoration?
A: After the Heroes Commemoration comes the May Day. After May Day we will mobilize to map out our forward journey, to achieve our objectives. That is, we will chase away the existing administration in the country and work towards building a massive, new social force within the country. We will take all necessary steps to strengthen our organizations for that purpose.
A: After the Heroes Commemoration comes the May Day. After May Day we will mobilize to map out our forward journey, to achieve our objectives. That is, we will chase away the existing administration in the country and work towards building a massive, new social force within the country. We will take all necessary steps to strengthen our organizations for that purpose.
?Why do the crowds which attend JVP rallies desert them later?
A: There is nothing like that. It is because they contribute actively that we receive votes. As of this moment the JVP is in a powerful position in politics of Sri Lanka. However, the strength of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna cannot be measured via the number of votes received in an election.
A: There is nothing like that. It is because they contribute actively that we receive votes. As of this moment the JVP is in a powerful position in politics of Sri Lanka. However, the strength of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna cannot be measured via the number of votes received in an election.
