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by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The JVP which was formed by Rohana Wijeweera 36 years ago is today the strongest political element standing against all the capitalist forces in the country, JVP General Secretary, Tilvin Silva said.

He was speaking at the 12th Ilmaha Viru Samaruwa organised by the JVP to mark the 12th death anniversary of JVP Leader and other party activists at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre on Tuesday.

The UNP brutally killed our leader in 1989 and every year we have commemorated our leader in spite of difficulties. Even when the JVP was banned, we did not forget to commemorate our leaders in prisons.

Once we gained our democratic rights in 1994, we could honour to our leader with a large public participation.

"Today we commemorate 12th Ilmaha Viru Samaruwa, when a number of political changes are being made. But we have several challenges to face and so many victories yet to be won."

Mr. Silva said people who have been exploited by the capitalist administration throughout the past 53 years are facing another election. This General Election would decide the future of our country. In this light, the discussion we conduct today is the more important.

Since we lost our leadership in 1989, we launched our campaign for 5 years facing immense difficulties. Again we recommenced our politics in 1994. During these seven years, we could gain several victories and bring about the desired changes our country needs.

The party which the UNP claimed had been eradicated in 1989 has returned as the decisive factor in Sri Lankan politics today, he said.

The late party leader Wijeweera started the JVP in 1965 not for ministerial portfolios or any other perks. This is the significant difference. The people sent 10 of it's members to the Parliament last year. During this year, the JVP could entirely change the Cabinet by raising the voice of late leader.

Meanwhile the JVP could introduce a new political culture in Parliament by compelling the Government to work even 35 days to a schedule to cater to the public needs. The founder of the JVP Rohana Wijeweera was behind these victories today, he said.

He said the JVP was formed by late Wijeweera individually in 1965. He did not possess doctorates, wealth or a high family background. But he had significant human qualities and a clear vision far more than any other politicians. It was the present JVP's duty to try to understand that vision.

"The majority of the leftist leaders bow their heads to capitalist governments by laying down the red flag. But our leader never did that. Today this great flag is in our hands and we pledge that we will never betray it to capitalism," he said.

Silva said that when all the leftist leaders knelt before the capitalists, the JVP successfully got the capitalists to kneel before the people through its probationary program.

He said: "We commemorate the 12th death anniversary of Rohana Wijeweera, when the JVP is blooming in the local political arena. But the unholy powers operating in the country have not yet been defeated. These alliances make various attempts to grab power. Therefore the prime responsibility of the JVP is to defeat them."

Late Wijeweera could successfully change Marxism to suit our country. He taught us the ways and means of how society should move forward in collaboration the patriotism and marxism.

In the very sense of the word, Wijeweera was fortunate to become the first professional Marxist in Sri Lanka. He always loved his country and the people.

In the future too, the JVP will make any sacrifice in defence of the motherland. Even today we commemorate this 12th Ilmaha Viru Samaruwa within a capitalistic system which is vehemently rejected by our leaders. But the day is not far away that we can commemorate this event within a socialist state, he added.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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