JVProle in national govt. depends on its aims, goals — Tilvyn

By Rohan Mathes
The JVP’s participation and role in a "National Government", depends on a realistic analysis on the objectives, aims and goals of this so-called "National Government". The establishment of a national government is however not the end but the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the JVP.

The "Alliance" to be formed with the SLFP is being delayed. However, if it delays too much, they will have to take a decision based on the circumstances, the General Secretary of the JVP Tilvyn Silva said on Monday at a special lecture on the current situation, at the Vihara Maha Devi Park.

Silva said that for the formation of any national government, one should objectively examine the circumstances, the purpose and the need for a one. For whom is the national government? For what purpose? What aspirations of the people it would fulfil? Who will benefit from it? What will be the end result?", he asked.

If this is a ploy used by the LTTE via their reactionary agents within the southern polity to mark time until they establish themselves on a better footing, if the very identity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and the security of our nation is threatened by this national government concept, the JVP will not in any way support it or join it. It will gather all the progressive and patriotic masses of the land, use all means at their disposal to defeat it, Silva said.

"The JVP throughout its history has faced grave and more arduous situations and tasks. The party has taken-up greater challenges and ultimately come-out victorious. We have had a history of politics which has misled our country and destroyed it. If the two main parties form a national government, and moves in a wrong direction to the detriment of our motherland, then the JVP will be the main opposition which will come out strongly against it" he said.

He said that President Kumaratunga’s endeavours to form a national government amidst all the criticism and harassment she had encountered with the UNF Cabinet, is per se a display of her servility.

Tilvyn Silva pointed out that the so called need to have a stable government to serve the people better, was a myth. The UNP regime of J.R. Jayewardene from 1977 to 1989 and thereafter had a stable government with a 5/6th majority. "What did they do? They destroyed the country in toto within that period. To serve the country and its people honestly, a stable government is not a pre-requisite", he said.

Referring to the Alliance with the SLFP, he claimed that the Alliance is not a bank deposit. It ought to be active and a tool to be used to defeat all reactionary and Western colonial forces who are striving to divide our country via the Tigers. "Nevertheless the Alliance is not everything. There are other options", he added.