Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne (Daily News)
After 33 years JVP, today under the leadership of Anura Kumara, has emerged as a party defending democracy against fascistic forces. Breakaway Front line socialists appear to be following the DJV line of fascistic forces of Wijeweera. After 33 years, today we know how Vijaya was killed. No doubt Vijaya was killed by DJV whether Wijeweera was directly involved in it or not. The USA as a powerful force, had supported the peace programme of JR. On this political line left was mobilized by Vijaya. Thus he became the target of racists. Vijaya was killed 33 years ago, but we remember well how the masses answered his call.
With the appearance of a film made on the life of late Wijeweera there were comments or rather demands on present JVP leaders to make self criticism about their political history. Some social activists said this is absolutely necessary. If either the JVP or FSP makes a self-criticism it will be the first step in the long road back. ‘Let us see whether either will do so at the seminars and discussions on the Wijeweera movie.’ Many questioned ‘don’t the artistes and musicians who get on the JVP stage and/or applaud the JVP, care a damn about the murder of Vijaya?’ He was shot in the face; on the instructions the assassin was given. On the other hand there is the demand from the Truth Commission made under the UNHR Resolution, which may go into the JVP revolution of 87/89 too.
Prime Minister’s speech
The speech of Prime Minister has created much interest. Many compared to the actions of Nelson Mandela. In South Africa a Truth Commission was established only after the apartheid regime was replaced by a majority black government led by Nelson Mandela. In Sri Lanka though the fascistic regime was removed, the Tamils are yet to receive even the provincial powers adopted by the constitution more than 30 occasions, is still a promise and Premier Wickremesinghe has to struggle for that.
Is Prime Minister is prepared to accept the truth that tens of thousands of innocent Tamils were killed by government troops, hospitals, food queues and no fire zones were bombed, those who surrendered were tortured and made to disappear or killed? As admitted by Lankan government about the terror used to suppress in Sinhala chauvinist uprising in the South in 88/90 then, later happened in Tamil areas. Once such truths are established, victims waiting for justice for nearly a decade can decide the way forward.
Let us stop making foul speeches. We as United Socialist Alliance agreed with JR for devolution of powers to PCs, citizenship rights for Upcountry Tamils, and equal status for all three languages. Wijeweera declared this agreement is a great betrayal. He started Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya with utter racists and started killing USA members and UNP activists.
It started by killing Vijaya; it continued and we were forced to seek protection from the state and to form our own trained armed units. JVP killings and murders continued and towards the end of ’88, I was too attacked by rifle bullets and fell almost dead.
Great sacrifice of comrades, friends and doctors saved my life. In that event several others got killed including Deva. In this manner over thousand socialists were killed by the DJV of Wijeweera. These attacks greatly damaged all socialists and leftists. In addition to killing, socialists suffered wounds, burnings, damaged to property and these became endless suffering. However in the end when state terror came, socialist and leftists came out to defend the youth who were misled by racist DJV.
Media activists, artistes and filmmakers in Sri Lanka hold silent vigils in honour of reporters and others who have been killed or disappeared. During the ‘protest rally’ at Lipton Circle in Colombo on January 29, media activists in Sri Lanka want the United Nations to keep pressuring the government to take accountability for media personnel who have either been killed or disappeared over the years, both during the civil war and after 2009. Journalist organisations have held various activities in a bid to bring those guilty to justice.
On January 29 they took to the streets of the capital to raise awareness of their decision to handover the U.N. a petition, and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka a document, detailing some 30 incidents still pending resolution. These occurred from 2000 to 2015 and involve the abuse of reporters and media institutions in the country. During that decade, Sri Lanka recorded at least 138 cases of the media being physically attacked. Sixteen media personnel were killed, according to the International Committee to Protect Journalists. However murder of Vijaya and other artistes are not specifically mentioned in these agitations.
Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association
Duminda Sampath, president of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, said the delay in seeing justice served is indicative of the culture of impunity that prevails in the country. “We don’t want assurances from the U.N. We want it to take action,” he said. “It is essential for the U.N. to persist in pressuring the government to take accountability as important. Some of the relatives crusading for justice have even received death threats”.
He suggested a road map to effect change. “A first step would be to ensure the incumbent government fulfills the many promises it has made regarding holding to account those responsible for the many crimes committed against journalists in this country,” he said. “We trust the U.N. will take decisive, sustained action to ensure that media freedom and freedom of expression are installed to the fullest.”
Among those crimes was the murder in 2009 of Lasantha Wickrematunga, 51, a newspaper editor known for his outspoken attitude and criticism of the authorities. Other notable cases include the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, a political columnist who went missing in January 2010, and the abduction in forward. Earlier, the Provincial Councils were seen by the JVP as a stepping stone to separatism. They say that was the situation which remained when the separatist armed group existed.
Today, nine years have lapsed after the war concluded and after democratic revolution the society has evolved. If JVP continues to keep battering the dead tiger literally, it can’t move forward. JVP believe its thinking should be different from the time during the separatist armed struggle. As a party, it has embraced change. Some interpret that as a change JVP undertook as part of its understanding with the Government. That is not true. In fact, JVP discussed the need for a change in part of thinking soon after the war victory in 2009.
JVP didn’t talk of an amendment or modification of the Provincial Council system then. There was no such dialogue. Yet, JVP said it should start thinking afresh on the post war context. It asked for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In certain areas, now, JVP see a transformation of attitudes in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). They have undergone transformation. JVP is happy about it. The TNA sought Federalism. Now, they don’t ask for it. The JVP is opposed to the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The TNA knows that it is practically impossible. Yet, the TNA uses it as a political slogan. Accordingly, all are moving towards liberal democracy under the leadership of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
ThinkWorth 