JVP bankrupt today:

UNP, JVP pledges of democracy a mirage - Media Minister

UNP killed 60,000 JVPers in 1989:

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Mass Media and Information and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa yesterday described of democracy by the UNP and the JVP as a mere mirage.

The Minister made this statement at a press briefing to inform Cabinet decisions, at the Information Department. Minister Yapa said the UNP and the JVP were poles apart in political ideology as well as in economic policies. However, the both have formed a coalition and come together as if a snake and a mongoose were on a roof for safety in a flood.

Referring to a statement made by Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the UNP and JVP were united to guarantee democracy in the country, Minister Yapa said that it was the present Government which created a conflict free country.

He queried as to how the JVP could join hands and seek democracy with the UNP that killed 60,000 of their members mercilessly in 1989 and also killed and burnt their leader Rohana Wijeweera, banned their political party and conducted torture chambers like Batalanda.

He stated that the present Government while preserving democracy in the country paved the way for the JVP to enter into political arena democratically and formed an alliance allowing them to secure a good number of seats in Parliament. He added that it was pathetic to see that the JVP becoming so bankrupt so as to join hands with the UNP.

“If the elections were free and fair and if the elections were held at the proper time what is so wrong with our democracy.”

He also noted that it was the present government that made proving one’s identity compulsory at elections. “If our government wanted to rig votes would it take such stern measures?” Minister queried.

Minister Yapa noted that the UNP assaulted media persons at their convention and later denied it. “The UNPers assaulted ITN media personnel at Sirikotha yesterday after allowing him in following identification.” He said that it was a clear violation of democracy.

The Minister said a large number of political groups were supporting the Government making the largest alliance including the SLFP, Mahajana Party, Leftist Parties, a large fraction of the SLMC and UNP, TMVP, EPDP, PLOTE etc. The people from the upcountry led by Chandrasekeran and Thondaman were also supporting the Government along with the people from the North and East. He stated that bringing together such a large alliance itself is an indication of the democracy guaranteed by the Government. “These other parties have failed since they did not have internal democracy,” he added.