Anil Shantha Fernando, Secretary, Navamaga National Movement, Moratuwa in an interview with the Sunday Observer says that the National People’s Power (NPP) is just a puppet in the hands of the JVP, not a new political force and that the JVP does not benefit the people in any way.
Although they try to appear as a new political force to progressive citizens, they should pay closer attention before joining the NPP.
Having worked as a full-time politician in the JVP for 21 years, he said that he knows more about the JVP and that he gained knowledge about Marxism and socialism during this time.
Liberalism
He also said that there is no socialism in the JVP and that its cadre is entirely composed of those in favour of liberalism who attacks those who oppose injustice. He expressed his views about the political course of 21 years associated with JVP and the political methodology of the party today.
“Today, the JVP is doing a lot of damage to the country through the NPP. They have filled the space left vacant by left-wing parties. Ever since the JVP embarked on a new political path in 1994, it has not done a proper reading of Marxism. How does the JVP say it is against liberalism when it works with liberal groups? From 1994 until now, they have formed alliances with coalitions from time to time. What happened through that was that the space for the Left to work in the country had ebbed away. Due to their actions, the leftist movement closed in Sri Lanka.
Now a new left-wing should be established in this country. If this does not happen, leftist politics cannot move forward. There should be a left-wing discourse in the country.
How many comrades who joined the JVP sacrificed their lives in 88/89? It is for creating a left-wing political structure by believing in Marxism. But the JVP did not want to go on a left-wing political journey with the people. They want to maintain liberalism through coalitions. What happened instead was that although they came in red shirts, waved red flags, and displayed sickles, the JVP became a victim of liberalism.
The JVP leadership only wanted power. They worked to do whatever they could for that purpose by suppressing any intellectual. A special feature of this liberalism is inhumanity, various corruptions, financial fraud, inhuman killings, exploitation of workers, and so on, concepts that lead society to deviance. All of these were done by the JVP. That is why even today the JVP cannot move forward.
Some leaders of the party have grown hair and beards and dyed them, but the system cannot change. Due to various irregularities of the party’s strongmen, thugs who were in the back row took over the party. Because the early chairs of the party were afraid that if the corruption got out, it would harm them and the people who took advantage of that are the operatives of the party today.
Those who worked full-time for the party were singled out and left aside. The current operatives of the JVP worked to destroy even those who spoke against that injustice.
I am especially making this request to the retired military officers and artistes, if you are going to get on the stage with the NPP, think twice or thrice. One of the main targets of these people are artistes and retired army officers, they are respected in the country. With that respect, the JVP fulfils its needs through the cat’s paw called NPP.
What we have to do now is not to uplift the JVP, which is within liberalism. We formed this party for that purpose; to start a new Left force. All those who have been wronged by the JVP and who dedicated their lives for full politics to the JVP and who are looking for a true left-wing movement should join forces.
I also ask university professors to be smart and look back. Don’t be hasty, act with understanding. This request is made by a person who dedicated his life to the JVP for 21 years. I have no enmity with the JVP. But there is a conflict of opinion with those who are paving the way to wipe out the left by carrying out their liberal agenda through that party.
Leftist politics is essential for a country. These scoundrels who are using it as a guise should be exposed and stopped.
Since 1998, I have been engaged in full-time politics without no real job or source of income. Today, I live with my mother in a small one storey-house on a small plot of land. Also, think for a moment about the positions of JVP first-tier leaders who say they are in full-time politics and commit their Parliament member salary, Provincial Council member salary and even Local Government salary to the party’s fund.
Their sons and daughters go to international schools. Some protest against the Kotalawala Defence College and go picketing, while sending their children there. Look at their cars and houses, if you ask them, they will say that these were donated by a party activist or a friend. I don’t think there are people in Sri Lanka who are stupid to accept such explanations.
In order to rebuild this party, all the people in the big chairs should be removed. This party can only be built by a group of leaders who recognise socialism and advance only left-wing ideas.
Today, the JVP is like an estate of a certain group of people. If someone expresses an opinion against it, or stands up against that injustice, not only that person but also their family will have to pay compensation. I haven’t seen my child in years and I can’t live with my wife.
In that regard, I will take legal action in the future. Our personal lives have been completely swallowed up by those who follow the liberal ideology within the JVP. They do not need socialism, instead they only seek power. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be forming coalitions with parties that oppose socialism.
The Nawamaga National Movement started three years ago as a solution to this disaster. We appointed Manjula Fernando as President of the Sri Lanka Free Postal Professionals Association as the Secretary. The party is not yet registered. Thousands of people who did full-time politics with the JVP for many years are suffering today. But what was the JVP’s answer?
I ask if that is the socialism of the JVP. All former members of the politburo from 1994 to today are fully responsible for this situation.
No one can escape responsibility. They are the ones who completely destroyed the socialist culture in the JVP.
Capitalist institutions
We really have no faith in capitalist institutions like the Bribery or Corruption Investigation Commission.
I remember that it was done by a commissioner. Because of that, we are not going to complain about the people of the JVP who have no income. But really our complaint is unnecessary. If necessary, we can deal with their statements. But it is difficult to take legal action regarding property in someone else’s name.”
