By Saman Indrajith

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung yesterday said the JVP’s popularity was growing because the party resonated with the public.

“To me the JVP is a significant party. They have a growing presence. They resonate with the public during recent times,” Ambassador Chung said at a roundtable discussion at the Jefferson House in Colombo.

She said that her recent meeting with the JVP leadership was very constructive. “I know that there had been a lot of rhetoric in the past. I thought it is my duty to really connect with the JVP leadership as person to person, not just as a party to the US Government. It was a really refreshing and honest conversation. We probably do not agree with everything, but I told them to speak to us directly if they have any concern about the US policy, investment projects or any programme here. So that we could get away from misinformation and disinformation,” the Ambassador said.

“I think we have a good understanding. They are a growing political party and their ideas are accepted by the public,” Ambassador Chung said.

Asked to comment on NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa’s recent allegation that she had thwarted a government move to remove those forcibly occupying the Galle Face green, Ambassador Chung said that people have a right for peaceful protest.

“Wimal Weerawansa is someone I haven’t met yet. I have seen him commenting on US embassy activities. We support peaceful protests, something we do around the world and we do it here. We have called for the restraint of the police and military. We believe in the power of peaceful protests. I am not sure what his intents of those comments, but supporting peaceful protests is something regular that the US does. We call the protesters to remain peaceful and the security forces to use restraint,” the Ambassador said.