JVP questions motive of protest leaders

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The JVP-led Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) says that those who have pledged their support for a protest march and rally in Colombo today (02) against what they called suppression of ‘Aragalaya’ activists, fully cooperated with the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s agenda.

Former JVP MP and trade union leader Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that protests, demanding the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the immediate releasing of those who had been detained in term of the draconian law, were nothing but despicable bid to deceive the masses. Samarasinghe served as an MP between 2004 and 2020. Ex-Anuradhapura District lawmaker Samarasinghe said that street protests should be resolutely backed by standing up against the government in Parliament. Unfortunately, those who masquerade as the Opposition, allowed the government to pursue its destructive policy, the former MP said.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), Nidahasa Jathika Sabhawa (SLPP rebel group led by Dullas Alahapperuma and Prof. GL. Peiris), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), Young Lawyers Association, Lanka Guru Sangamaya, Young Journalists Association, Sri Lanka Telecom Workers Union and several other groups are expected to join the protest near, Elphinstone cinema, Maradana.

Asked to explain, the JVPer pointed out that the vote on the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill taken, on October 18, revealed how those who vigorously opposed the government were conveniently absent at the time of the vote.

The former lawmaker said that only the JJB voted against the Bill as a political grouping recognized in Parliament. Three JJB members Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Vijitha Herath and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya voted against the Bill, along with 14 other members, whereas 77 voted for it.

Pointing out that 130 lawmakers, of the 225-member Parliament, skipped that vote, trade union activist Samarasinghe said it was not an isolated incident. The ex-MP said that the JJB exposed the doublespeak of those in the Opposition by calling for a division. MP Vijitha Herath did so on behalf of the JJB.

That Bill was meant to liberalize the petroleum sector by allowing international suppliers to enter the local market as retail operators and do away with the monopoly of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) on jet fuel, Samarasinghe said.

The ex-MP alleged that the same group acted identically when the Parliament voted for the Social Security Contribution Levy Bill, on September 08. The Bill, meant to collect Rs 140 bn annually, received the backing of 91 lawmakers, whereas only 10, including three JJB members, voted against, Samarasinghe said.

The JVPer challenged the SJB, rebel SLPPers and others in the Opposition to prove their commitment to a common campaign against the government. Beforehand, they owed the people an explanation why they skipped votes on Social Security Contribution Levy Bill and the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill on September 08 and October 17, respectively, Samarasinghe said.

The ex-Parliamentarian warned the public against those trying to divert public attention from the government moves to privatise key sectors. The conduct of political parties, represented in Parliament in the passage of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, should be examined, taking into consideration the Yugadanavi deal, Samarasinghe said.

The JVP firebrand said that it would be a joke to get on the same stage with people who tacitly backed the Yugadanavi deal, finalized at midnight, on September 17 last year. Flaying Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government for the agreement with the US-based New Fortress Energy, Samarasinghe said the opening of the petroleum market was part of their overall strategy. The issue over the PTA was being utilized as a rallying point for the Opposition while the government moved ahead with its economic plan, the ex-MP said.

Samarasinghe pointed out that a section of the international community, too, wants the PTA abolished. “We, too, are opposed to the PTA, though there are far bigger issues. If we get trapped in an anti-PTA protest campaign that would facilitate the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa strategy,” Samarasighe said.