News
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.
Latest News
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.
The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.
FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.
Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.
Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned
the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.
Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.
Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kurunegala districts.
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