We’d not allow people to fall into pitfalls dug by two main political camps

January 4, 2019 by

The likes of Ranil Wickremesinghe who deceptively appeared for democracy and political ethics are now engaged in a shameful attempt of saving their share. They, without any shame, prepared a list of 35 to get cabinet posts.  As such, both these main political camps cannot bring civility to politics in our country. The economy in the country has broken down. As such, we have to commence a discussion to take the economy on a new path. Currently, the issues in the services sector are not being discussed. We promise the country that the JVP would take measures to save the people and the media that are lead round and round pitfalls and commence a discussion on genuine issues of the people,”  said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta on 02.01.2019.

The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Parliamentarian Dr Nalinda Jayatissa too was present.

Mr Anura Dissanayaka said, “This year is turning out to be a year of elections. Elections to nine provincial councils are due during this year. A presidential election is due in November this year if no measures are taken to abolish the executive presidential system before that. Also, the present government set up after the conspiracy that was defeated a few weeks ago has no ability to govern the country and we as a party intend struggling to win a general election this year.

Meanwhile, two parties are spreading communal fabrications to create a communal conflict in the North and the South. The communal group in the North and the communal group in the South are spreading communalism targeting the forthcoming elections. Mahinda Rajapaksa camp sows in the South communalism that hints at a division of the country and a federal system of government. They also charge that the JVP is assisting to divide the country. We would categorically like to say that the political practice of the JVP has always been a policy that keeps the rights and needs of the people and the Motherland foremost. Every time there was a threat of the country being divided the JVP struggled against such attempts with dedication and sacrifice. Even when some who pose as patriots now were hiding under beds the JVP fulfilled its social obligation defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Motherland.

After signing the Indo – Sri Lanka pact the Northern and Eastern provinces were merged. According to the pact a referendum had to be held within a year to decide whether to continue with the merge or not. However, no referendum was held but the former Presidents extended the merge through gazette notifications. Even after Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power he implemented the gazette that had been signed by Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was the President before him, The East was demerged only by legal action taken by the JVP in 2006. We did so to establish the rights of the people in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

After the war, the situation has changed. If a political movement cannot adjust its politics according to changes that occur, people have nothing to do with such a political movement. As such, we appear and raise our voice for a new constitution that is consistent with the new situation emerged after the end of the war and protects the rights and dignity of all people. In all our election manifestos we would definitely state that it is essential to have a new constitution to replace the 1978 constitution. However, various communal groups say a new constitution would be passed before 4th February.  We would like to say a constitution cannot be formulated according to fantasies that blobs in the heads of Ranil, Sumanthiran or Mahinda. The ’78 constitution contains how a new constitution could be established. We are fully aware that a new constitution cannot be presented in this Parliament due to the way it conducts itself. Hence, we would like to request the media in this country not to report irresponsibly various things uttered by various people on various stages. We would like to emphasize to media institutions that reporting such statements is an act of treachery.

On 9th January 2016, a new proposal was presented in Parliament regarding the process to formulate a new constitution. This explains how the new constitution would be formulated and how it would be adopted.  We ask the media institution in our country to report the processes of formulating and adopting the constitution correctly. The process proposed in Parliament includes 33 factors. The first is turning the whole Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly. Its head will be the Speaker. The Constitutional Assembly with 225 MPs will meet in Parliament.  In addition, a Steering Committee was appointed with MPs from all political parties representing parliament. Then several sub-committees have been appointed for various subjects. A report is being prepared by the Steering Committee on the three subjects of the electoral system, devolution and abolishing the executive presidential system. In addition, a committee to get the public opinion is functioning.

Already, the Steering Committee has met on several instances. A report is being prepared by the sub-committees as well. Another report is being prepared based on the information received from the public.  The draft should be prepared based on all these reports. It should be debated in parliament, get new proposals and then the new constitution should be prepared. Next, a vote is taken from the Constitutional Assembly and if it doesn’t receive a 2/3rd majority the Constitutional Assembly would be dissolved. However, if it receives a 2/3rd majority, the process would go forward. It will be referred to the cabinet for approval and will be presented to Parliament again with the report from the Prime Minister. Next, a gazette notification will be issued and it will be referred to the nine provincial councils for their approval. Subsequently, it will be debated in Parliament again, passed with a 2/3rd majority and the President “shall submit to the People by Referendum”. If it is approved by the people the new Constitution should be endorsed by the President. It is with such a long procedure that a new constitution could be adopted. Just imagine the demon those communalist groups are creating to deceive the masses!

It is the media institutes in our country that acts as the conveyor of communal lies to the society.  We could definitely say that the present Parliament will not be able to adopt a new constitution. Mrs Sirimawo Bandaranayake had a 2/3rd majority in Parliament. In 1978 Mr J.R. Jayawardene had a 5/6th majority. Ms Chandrika Kumartunga had only a simple majority with 113 MPs. Today’s Parliament is like a hotch-potch. Such a Parliament cannot pass a constitution. It cannot get a 2/3rd majority. Rajapaksas who have carried out a conspiracy and have been totally defeated and exposed are now spreading communalism based on the constitution to conceal their defeat.  Hence, we ask the people and the media in this country not to be a victim of those communal slogans. There are two communalist groups in the North. One is the TNA including Sambanthan and the other is Vigneswaran’s group. Both these groups sow communalism in the North. Both these groups have not fulfilled anything on behalf of the people in the North. The weakest provincial council in the country is the Northern Provincial Council. Instead of working for the people they are spreading communalism for power. The attempts of these communalist groups should be defeated. We would not allow the masses in our country to be deceived by their false demons.

Today there is no dialogue about social issues in our country at present. The political dynamism is decided by the media institutions. At times the real issues are concealed and fake issues are brought to the surface. It is the media institutions that decide what topic to be debated. Certain media institutions have become the prey of main political parties. As a result, genuine issues of the people have been concealed.  During the 50 days of the conspiracy, the genuine issues of the people were suppressed. In our country the least paid are journalists.  Even their issues are not discussed. The real issues of the farmer community, fisherfolk, unemployed youth, working people in state, private and estate sectors have been concealed. The two political camps take to the surface fake issues for their benefit. The JVP would strive to bring to the fore real issues of the people during this year. This is the political resolve for the JVP in the New Year. The tragic and the regrettable destiny confronted by the masses in our country should be changed. Politics of civility should be established to drive away the savage political culture that exists at present.

The likes of Ranil Wickremesinghe who deceptively appeared for democracy and political ethics are now engaged in a shameful attempt of saving their share. They, without any shame, prepared a list of 35 to get cabinet posts.  As such, both these main political camps cannot bring civility to politics in our country. The economy in the country has broken down. As such, we have to commence a discussion to take the economy on a new path. Currently, the issues in the services sector are not being discussed. We promise the country that the JVP would take measures to save the people and the media that are lead round and round pitfalls and then commence a discussion on genuine issues of the people.”