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FSP defends 1987-89 insurgency, alleges Wijeweera’s killer is now with JVP
JVP won’t comment on accusations
By Shamindra Ferdinando
General Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) aka Peratugaami Pakshaya Kumar Gunaratnam has questioned the failure on the part of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to counter the fierce Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) onslaught over the second abortive insurgency during the 1987-1989 period.
Addressing the media in Colombo, Gunaratnam alleged that the JVP had conveniently remained silent, regardless of continuing attacks by the SJB, the breakaway UNP faction, in the run-up to the presidential election scheduled for Sept. 21.
In addition to the main Opposition SJB, the independent presidential contestant Ranil Wickremesinghe and SLPP candidate Namal Rajapaksa’s campaigns, too, relentlessly attacked the JVP in that regard.
Declaring his direct involvement in the second insurgency that was brought to an end in late 1989, Gunaratnam said that the JVP had taken up arms against the dictatorial JRJ strategy.
Dissident members of the JVP launched FSP in April 2012 under Gunaratnam’s leadership.
One-time Australian citizen, Gunaratnam emphasised that the JVP’s intervention should be examined taking into consideration the commencement of war in the North, disruption of DDC (District Development Council) election, setting Jaffna library ablaze, suppression of the student movement and the rigged referendum conducted in late December 1982 to enable the JRJ to prolong the life of Parliament by six years. The life of the then Parliament was to expire in August 1983.
Acknowledging that there had been shortcomings on their part, Gunaratnam alleged that incumbent UNP leader and independent presidential candidate represented the JRJ administration hence he is also responsible for bloodshed.
Declaring that about 60,000 people perished during the 1987-1989 period, Gunaratnam accused the JVP of moving towards the formation of a coalition with what he called the capitalist class.
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake is contesting the Sept. 21 presidential election on the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) ticket. The JVP leads the JJB represented in the current parliament by three lawmakers. The FSP has fielded Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage as the representative of the Jana Aragala Vyaparaya at the presidential election.
Gunaratnam also alleged that the JVP had been in touch with the person who allegedly executed their leader Rohana Wijeweera at the Borella cemetery in Nov. 1989. We refrained from naming the person concerned and the position he had held during the Yahapalana administration (2015-2019) though Gunaratnam identified the former Army officer.
Referring to the fraudulent Lanka Marine Service (LMS) deal that had been perpetrated by the UNP-led UNF government in the 2001-2003 period but reversed by the Supreme Court, Gunaratnam pointed out the JKH that was involved in the LMS transaction attended the JJB’s business confab recently. The former JVP militant wing member recalled how the DSI Chairman lambasted Marxism as a failed concept at the same conference. Gunaratnam declared that the JVP had conveniently betrayed its founding principles and policies to build new relationships.
Gunaratnam alleged that in a bid to reach consensus with various parties pursuing different agendas, the JVP leadership had abandoned its policies much to the disappointment of its members.
Comparing the JJB’s policies with that of Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Namal Rajapaksa, Gunaratnam emphasized that his former comrades were going ahead with the IMF’s agenda, while also accepting Indian interventions. Gunaratnam said that there was absolutely no basis for SJB’s accusations that the JJB was charting a Marxist course as both the SJB and the JJB followed the same strategy as dictated by the IMF.
A top JVP spokesperson, however, said that the party wouldn’t waste its time commenting on such unsubstantiated allegations. The official emphasized that their campaign was on track and couldn’t be disrupted by FSP agenda. Regardless of the combined effort by our political opponents, the JJB remained confident of victory at the next week’s national election.
News
Health authorities on high alert over Nipah Virus threat
Sri Lanka has stepped up efforts to detect and respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV), with health authorities enhancing surveillance and laboratory readiness amid growing concerns in the region.
The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the country’s premier laboratory, has upgraded its testing capacity with the latest technology to identify the Nipah virus, enabling early detection of suspected cases, an MRI source said.
Nipah virus is a highly infectious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals
to humans and also through human-to-human contact. Fruit bats are the natural hosts of the virus.
First identified in Malaysia in 1988, the virus has since caused deadly outbreaks in countries including India and Bangladesh. Experts warn that Sri Lanka, with its close human-animal interactions and tropical climate, must remain vigilant against such emerging infectious diseases.
The case fatality rate of Nipah virus ranges from 40% to 75%, making it one of the most lethal viral infections affecting humans. There are currently no specific drugs or vaccines, with treatment relying mainly on intensive supportive care, health specialists say.
Symptoms of infection initially include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis. Severe cases may progress to atypical pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, seizures, and coma within 24 to 48 hours.Authorities continue to urge heightened awareness and precautionary measures, emphasizing that early detection and rapid response are key to preventing outbreaks.
by Chaminda Silva ✍️
News
Free Media Movement demands govt. accountability on free speech issues
The Free Media Movement (FMM) has demanded government accountability on many freedom of expression issues referred to in a statement issued by the Human Rights Commission in a statement issued last week.
The statement under the hands of FMM Convener Lasantha De Silva and Secretary Dileesha Abeysundera says FMM has paid close attention to the statement issued by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) under reference number HRC/S/i/E/03/02/26. It has also informed that global stakeholders, including the International Federation of Journalists—of which it is a member—that are already closely monitoring this matter.
In its statement, HRC has elaborated at length on the issues that have arisen in Sri Lanka concerning freedom of expression and online safety. It specifically points out that the actions of the Sri Lanka Police have been a major contributing factor to these concerns. The Commission notes that recent conduct of the police has indirectly interfered even with the professional activities of journalists.
HRC has also drawn attention to the practice of summoning journalists and other activists before the police without providing clear reasons, in violation of circulars issued by the IGP. In certain instances, the police have stated that journalists were summoned due to alleged defamation arising from media activities.
However, freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution is restricted only within constitutionally prescribed limits. Accordingly, defamation that is no longer a criminal offence cannot be acted upon by the police. Such matters constitute civil offences that must be resolved before courts of law. The Commission further observes that attempts by politicians and others to lodge complaints with the Criminal Investigation Department regarding defamation are efforts to portray defamation as a criminal offence.
The HRC statement also addresses the Online Safety Act. While emphasizing the need to be mindful of online safety, the Commission points out that the current law does not address genuine needs. Therefore, as already demanded by many stakeholders, the government has the option to repeal this Act.
In addition, HRC has outlined a three-pronged approach that should be adopted to safeguard freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution and in line with Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations.
FMM said it is of the view that the Government of Sri Lanka must give serious consideration to this statement and to the recommendations emphasized therein. “This is a moment in which the accountability of the Sri Lankan government is being questioned. Accordingly, the Free Media Movement urges the government to take immediate steps to implement the recommendations set out in this statement,” it said.
News
Opposition alleges Govt deliberately delaying PC polls
ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam accused the government in Parliament on Friday of deliberately delaying Provincial Council elections, pointing to its failure to nominate members to a Parliamentary Select Committee.
The committee, tasked with considering matters related to Provincial Council polls, was announced on 6 January 2026. Opposition parties submitted their nominees promptly.
However, a month later, the government has yet to name its eight members, preventing the committee from being constituted and from commencing its work, Rasamanickam alleged.
Opposition representatives argue that this delay represents intentional inaction aimed at postponing elections. They urged the government to appoint its nominees without further delay to allow the committee to proceed.
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