REFUGEE

JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath says the party was ready to discuss with General Sarath Fonseka if he is prepared to come forward as the common candidate.

Herath told the media at a press briefing on Friday (20) that the JVP party would base such a discussion on abolishing the Executive Presidency and restoring democracy and not issues like developing the economy or the country.

Addressing the media meeting Herath said, “The government is unable to decide whether it is the presidential or the general election that would

be held first, like in the song “See-saw up and down.” The government does not have the political confidence to make this decision. The government has been reduced to a position where it would lose out at either of the elections. The Ministers think the President knows what election would be held first. However, the President is unsure about the election that should be held first. This is the dilemma faced by the government.

“Meanwhile, mud slinging campaigns are launched against those who the government beleive would come forward as candidates. Those terrorists who annihilated Bhikkus at Aranthalawa, bombed the sacred Temple of the Tooth have been made vice presidents of the SLFP and have been elevated as ‘patriots.’ However, patriots such as General Sarath Fonseka, who liberated the country from Tiger terrorism, are being branded as ‘traitors.’

“Meanwhile, henchmen of the government are busy circulating stories about conspiracies. It is they who are hanging on to the satakaya who would be the first to fall if the election is lost. The dogs who are feeding on the crumbs thrown at them have started to bark. When hunting the hounds keep barking and the hunters follow them. Once the hunting is over the hunter takes the meat and the bones are thrown to the hounds. The present government is no better.

“The war that went on for 30 years is now over. The military front of separatism has been defeated. However, the political objective has not been determined yet.

Separatism could be completely defeated only if it could be stopped from re-emerging. Democracy and freedom should be established for this purpose. The Executive Presidency should be abolished and an independent police, public service and elections commission should be established. Establishing democracy is the most essential objective. There are a large number of people who have been displaced and there are many who have left the country.

Resettling them in their places of choice should be a priority. The government entered into an agreement with India to resettle the displaced persons within 180 days. Now the 180 days are almost over and instead of resettling the displaced the government is talking about holding elections.”