In a show of solidarity, the hierarchy of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) came together on Sunday morning to scoff at reports that an internal crisis were brewing within the party, and party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was facing the axe.
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Addressing the media in Colombo, JVP leader Dissanayake said that a group with vested interests, and with links to the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Joint Opposition was spreading a mud-slinging campaign against the JVP, because they were ‘frustrated’ as they no longer enjoyed privileges since the change of government last year.
“There is no split within the JVP,” Dissanayake said.
He also claimed that the Divaina newspaper, which is owned by Kumar Welgama’s brother, Nimal, along with several others from the newspaper are behind the mudslinging campaign due to their frustration. “The Divaina is now a rag sheet, and they have not adhered to any media ethics while reporting such blatant lies,” he said.
According to Dissanayake, Nimal Welgama who owns the Divaina was the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Telecom, under Rajapaksa’s regime. “So it’s obvious they are all exasperated because they no longer enjoy the perks and privileges they used to enjoy, so now they are resorting to such third class cheap tactics of mud-slinging,” he said.
Dissanayake also said that Anura Solomon, the chief editor of ‘Irida Divaina’ also functioned as an advisor to Rajapaksa, while the journalist, Janitha Seneviratne who wrote the article for the newspaper which was published on Sunday under the title ‘A change to the JVP leadership, who will be the next leader? Tilvin or Lalkantha’ was employed at one of the organisations which came under the Port Authority during Rajapaksa’s regime. “Janitha Seneviratne used to sign his attendance for the entire month on one day, but never reported to work, and he was sacked in March 2015 due to his failure to report to work,” he said.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that the main aim of the mud-slinging campaign was to dupe the people, and keep the JVP from carrying out its important work whilst sitting in the Opposition. JVP Member K. D. Lalkantha said that just like where some politicians were becoming a pile of garbage, even certain sections of the media were suffering this same fate. JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath openly challenged those to prove if true that there was an internal crisis within the party.
According to the Divaina news report, one of the main reasons for the internal crisis was Dissanayake’s trip to Ireland recently, while there were also several others issues within the party, including some monetary related issues in relation to a bank account.
Meanwhile, Tilvin Silva also said that the party was looking at the possibility of taking legal action against the Irida Divaina for publishing articles without substance.
Pol hora / May 9, 2016
Did they deny the Ireland trip, the bank account, the affair or provide the reason for the Ireland trip? Did Anura bring a bag of cash on his return?
Or was it just an attack on the media that dared to criticise the JVP the opposition arm of the government?
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Leelagemalli / May 9, 2016
No worries, you are the powerful 3rd force of this country.
Even if you are not part of common opposition what you have done being together with Rajapakshe anti fractions are enormous. This nations should be reborn if they would not have noticed them.
Had JVPers been away from lanken politics, Rajaakshes could go to the levels of real Zimbabwien or Uganda… since prior to 8th January, UNP had almost no voice in the country as an opposition. Even today, as Mr Sirisena insisted, they are not well at bringing the messages of good being done to the village level…. good is being done, but Rajakashes are still being painted as they are not criminals. Either media is to be blamed or the blunder should be on the shoulder of UNP structure. I have heard Sajith Speaking loudly as no previous times. That should be done by others too.
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sama / May 9, 2016
Hey guys,.. I am also inthe opinion.. they the UNPrs should work with villagers more .. than what they are upto now… then they can win the hearts and minds … they have to reveal more about the abuses being carried out by MR led adminsitration.
Today, the guy goes on saying ” boys.. you cant even make a phone call today… it is just 50% you have got een if you buy credit for 100″. As if all the 15% of VAT was introduced by the current regime. There are just shamelss acts. Man is naked.. fully naked.. to have fallen to the levels.
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Samare / May 9, 2016
I think AKDs sadness is because their senior man now works with most abusive drag queen-Wimal Buruwasnse.. that is the main problems JVP faces today. They cant realize it as to why Somawansa uturned having worked that long year to JVP. He behaves as if he worked for a party for nothing. I believe AKD and other powerful JVP leadres should be there… to bring this nation forward. No doubt about that, but they the JVPers should see things also very practical being close to the pulses of nation. This nation is highly vulnerable to corruption and abusive friendly leaders. JVPers behave alwys like pure academics that expect every to move as theory interprets them. But in practice, poliics in srilanka is not easy.
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BBS Rep / May 9, 2016
JVP must not read too much into Vanitha Seneviratne’s piece.
However Anura Dissanayake must end his cosy love-hate relationship with My3’s government and come out firing all cylinders against present poor and reprehensible performance. If not some of the mismanagement and corruption that is becoming entrenched in the My3/Ranil coalition is going to rub off on JVP as well.
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MsMaralathoni / May 9, 2016
This is the reason why PM called it – ” Journos in the country are still not that far – free journalism to be introduced “.
Lanken Journos inlcuding that Ravaya the gossip tabloid almost either making the nation sick or keeping away from the facts.
They are miles away from unbiased journalism. Even haward educated men are proved to be biased – best Example is Malinda S. has NOT yet succeeded to call a spade a spade. All others that are closed Rajakashe hegemony do their job as had been before lanken spring 08th Jan 2016.
See not much of the current govt is yet in press than supportive almost supportive views of Rajaakshe are to be read. All in all, even unborn lankens are already abused by Rajaakshe abusive politics. That is like a blood cancer almost infected main parts of the body. But i believe metastasis is not yet reached..
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srinath.gunaratne / May 9, 2016
Show me a country where there is free media?
We live in a capitalist or socialist worlds
They both use their papers to achieve their personnel agendas!
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Punchiburamphi / May 9, 2016
Man Srinath, I know what you guys want – But what we want from Media is something else. They should be not partial. Today they add more attacks to Sirisena et al, but white washing is continued for MR et al why ? Why those journos failed to question Rajaakshe as to why he went for election 2 years earlier ?
Why MR et al then resounded it as he would be executed etc and what made it to be removed out of press today ? If Mr Sirisena led GOVERNMNT is that weak, why no new resolution was passed against us in last March 2016 ? Why why why..
can any of the questions be answered with constructive responses by MR et al people ? No they cant. Instead they can prevaricate, adding Phone charges are high… fertilizer subsidies are not yet fulfilled ? CB bond issues… etc… why why why ?
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Bunjappu / May 10, 2016
How old are u Mr. Srinath Gunaratne ?
What matters is be Freed medio or anything else the relation.
In a country at least human rights are safeguarded by Media men, then everyones would see it as the particular country to have media freedom. Like for example where you have made your greener pasture – UK.. dont you have media freedom in the UK ? There should be restrictions to some extent – but in our place – even most valuable information are not passed by journalists. I have the feeling that stand on your way… [Edited out]
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Native Vedda / May 10, 2016
srinath.gunaratne
“Show me a country where there is free media?”
Sri Lanka
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Native Vedda / May 9, 2016
BBS Rep
“If not some of the mismanagement and corruption that is becoming entrenched in the My3/Ranil coalition is going to rub off on JVP as well.”
Before they embark on a their mission, AKD should honestly review JVP’s ideology, past mistakes, its ideological racism, ….. own up and say sorry to the people, …. stop being a spokesperson for one group of people (Sinhala/Buddhists), free himself from the entrench position of Sinhala/Buddhist Marxism being the panacea for all diseases in this island, start learning other languages, above all JVP’s close association with MR, Sarath de Silva, …………
A modern leaders should possess modern ideas which JVP failed to adapt since its inception, ….. go to people and learn what they really need, how can those issues be addressed, practical solutions for real problems, not the imagined Marxist panacea, ……
And be true to himself, true to all people irrespective of their race, region, religion, etc.
What does AKD know about Federalism, the prose and cons, virtues and vices, why it won’t address problems typically associated with this island, …………?
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Uthungan / May 9, 2016
The JVP is not in a position to introspect it’s past or bold enough to be categoric and hones enough on the National Question.
It is neither fish nor fowl and it will always remain ineffective as long as it is unable to face facts and have a capacity to deal with conflicting interests and bold enough to take a correct stand on important issues that confront the country.
That because it it’s base is in the majority community and it has hardly been able to extend it’s political influence among the minorities when compared with the two main political parties that have taken power alternatively which had helped them to have an influence, however minimal amongst the minority community in the N&E and that is despite the fact that the JVP had never taken any part in the oppression of minorities in 1977, 1983 assailant ion of any Tamil leader, or the burning of the Jaffna Public Library nor been responsible for retaliation against any terroristic act of the LTTE.
In fact the JVP had helped the Tamils in 1983 from harm.
AKD may be a charismatic leader,but gives the impression of being unsure of himself and unable to face criticism.
He wants to be good boy, but that will not help in the long run. The JVP willat that rate, will find itself in the same political cul-de- sac as the old left.
Merely parroting Marxist phraseology is not enough,without understanding that it is a dynamic philosophy to interpret and adopt to suit every changing political situation in the country.
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PROUDMAN / May 9, 2016
[Edited out]
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Amarasiri / May 9, 2016
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
“Addressing the media in Colombo, JVP leader Dissanayake said that a group with vested interests, and with links to the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Joint Opposition was spreading a mud-slinging campaign against the JVP, because they were ‘frustrated’ as they no longer enjoyed privileges since the change of government last year.”
“There is no split within the JVP,” Dissanayake said.
Yes, MaRa and his cronies are disoriented. Have you heard the song,
MaRa MaRa ChaTu MaRa
MaRa MaRa AmaNa MaRa
MaRa MaRa PacHa MaRa
MaRa MaRa DhushaNa MaRa
thas describes them in a nutshell?
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Amarasiri / May 9, 2016
Anura Kumara Dissanayake
How stupid are MaRa and his cronies? LOOK and see…don’t we all wish it wasn’t true!!!!, but with ab average IQ of 79, thee are many.
How stupid are Americans? LOOK and see…don’t we all wish it wasn’t true!!!!
25% of them believe that the Sun Goes around the Earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpDEu8KmNj0
Published on Jun 6, 2015
This is not a joke.. try asking the same questions on the street and you too will be amazed at the stupid level of the average person. And then they want to run the world.. duh!
It is not about education but distractions…
1 In 4 Americans Thinks The Sun Goes Around The Earth, Survey Says
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/02/14/277058739/1-in-4-americans-think-the-sun-goes-around-the-earth-survey-says
Is Stupidity being a Virtur gaining ground in America?
Are MaRa Ma Ra ChaTu MaRa and Cronies Promoting Stupidity as a Virtue as well?
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max / May 9, 2016
I am sure, Amare must have been in the race with MaRa to get the ok from Shiranthi in the olden days. Her decision should have been the reason for him to hate MaRa so much. Amare’s boiling blood against MaRa is really exceptional.
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srinath.gunaratne / May 9, 2016
Hell hath no fury than a scorned woman!
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Amarasiri / May 9, 2016
max,
Let’s call a Spade, a Spade.
Also let’s call a crook and liar, a crook and liar.
What is wrong with that? After All we say that the Earth rotates on its own axis and goes around the Sun.There is data in support of that.
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max / May 10, 2016
Agree. Call a spade a spade. But you never apply the same theory to others as well. You guys label people ‘hora’, ‘mara’ or whatever, based on his/her alliance with MR. Best example: My3. When he was an obedient ‘golaya’ of MR, you guys used to attack him but now keep mum for his blatant abuse of the promises he made before Jan 8.
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Amarasiri / May 12, 2016
max
Look at some of the vicious attacks Amarasiri had on Maitripala Sirisena when he gave in the MaRa and Gang.
Despite all the flaws of these fumbling Sirisena and RW, they are still ahead compared to MaRa MaRa Chatu Mara. The Expectations for them were much higher, but they still delivered, like 19A , despite the fumbling.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa Family and Cronies- Excesses
It was Mahinda Rajapaksa Country!
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Ken Dharmapala / May 9, 2016
JVP is vital to keep those who are in power accountable to the people. It is also important to hold those who had been in power accountable for what they did during their term of office.
The rumours about a JVP split are mainly spread by this latter group who are doing their utmost to keep the misdeeds of the past being investigated and exposed. Many who are now holding office are also not keen to unravel the past because they too were complicit in the rape of Sri Lanka’s coffers. Others now in power (both new and old faces) are already treading the path of the previous lot. And the so-called Joint Opposition (JO) is so tainted because of their past affiliations and their own misdeeds, everything they utter (even those things that are true and valid) is seen negatively. A vibrant JVP is therefore essential to expose corruption.
I know of no other politicians who can explain complex economic and governance issues the way Anura Kurama does. He is brilliant in this regard.
Undermining the JVP and Anura Kumara by the Divaina newspaper, as a mouthpiece of corrupt politicians (and others) of the past, is unfortunate. Once a newspaper/media outlet tarnishes its name, it loses its credibility and will be preaching only to those who willingly believe anything their political heroes (corrupt or otherwise) dish out.
There is one huge task for the JVP to spearhead, possibly under the leadership of the former Auditor General, Sarath Chandrasiri Mayadunne. One is to list each and every public project in the last 10 or so years (including those currently undertaken) and estimate what such projects should have cost and compare it to what was actually paid, including the financing costs. The difference, obviously, is due to corruption and incompetence.
Secondly, evaluate for each and every project and estimate the economic rate of return (internal rate of return) and comment on where else such funds could have been used for better outcomes – be it economic, social and environmental.
Perhaps it is a task to be undertaken with university dons and published as a book in simple language for the Sri Lankan masses to read and understand how of their money is lost to corruption and incompetence and as to why they continue to live in want and in poverty.
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Bagehot / May 9, 2016
Sarath Mayadunne called it quits one week into his term in Parliament. The JVP national list saga was a disaster and undermined their credibility. AKD is also a fan of women (from credible sources long before it was revealed, not the Divaina), which may prove to be his undoing if he is not guarded.
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Matilda Ellepola / May 9, 2016
Its a shame how the Island Newspaper Group is heading for the last few years under the low life Welgama’s at the helm.
Its more or less like managed by Weerawansa of 8th grade frame of 1/1=0
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max / May 9, 2016
ME, lets assume your stupid allegation is right. Then, what about Lankadeepa group which carries RW’s shit nakedly?
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Siri / May 9, 2016
We need JVP,AKD and all of them. They are the guardian of the people against the rotten lot inside and out of the government.
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PARAGON / May 9, 2016
ANURA YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB IN PARLIMENT(since of late paraliment)BUT ALL WHAT YOU SPEAKE AND DO BENEFIT TO UNP WHEN IT BECOMS VOTING TIME.UNP GOT THE BENEFIT WHEN YOU EXPOSE KING RAJA AND JUNIOR KING NAMAL-ANY WAY KEEP DOING THE GOOD JOB.
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Gune / May 9, 2016
I voted for the current regime to remove the corrupt practices of the former gov. My dreams for a new Sri Lanka have somewhat diminished with the ineffectiveness and failed promises of the current gov. Nevertheless I am still happy that the Rajapakse’s are no more. I have diliked the JVP in the past but Anura Kumara Dissanayake has certainly brought new meaning to the party. I know for a fact that many of my friends who are UNPers look at this man with respect and hope. Sometimes I wish he was in the UNP as he could easily lead our country if he can give-up some of his socialist policies. What is good for this country is a balance between capitalist and socialist policies and I am sure if the JVP relooks at it purpose and policy framework objectively Anura Kumara can certainly lead this country one day in the near future.
I am not sure of the accusations of Divaina with regards to its mischievous disinformation about the JVP. But what I can say is that they were blatant supporters of the Rajapakse’s and used their papers in a highly biased and ugly way to promote MR’s corrupt practices. I also remember one of its editors prior to the election in 2015 Jan who shameless spoke to a foreign TV channel and incorrectly predictied a Rajapakse victory and openly supported him in the interview. Yes! Editors can have preferences BUT they must be truly objective in their reporting which I found seriously lacking with the Island and Divaina papers. The same could be said of the Daily Mirror , Sunday Times and Lankadeepa. All these editors were bought-up by MR. Try commenting on Daily Mirror’s Breaking News against MR and Nothing gets published by the DM, seriously violating social Media norms and reader’s freedom to comment.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake! keep going! We are behind you. But I hope you will have a balanced approach with your policies. You have a good chance of leading this country one-day if you get it right.
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max / May 11, 2016
Luckily, wide majority of Sri Lankan’s thinking pattern is totally opposite to what Gune’s – one sided bootlicker of UNP – thoughts. Where was this Gune when AKD’s terror campaigns were taking place? Where was this Gune when Wijedasa R openly challanged this so called “darling socialists of hardline unpers” to come for a debate with him over Rs. 2.5 million fiasco? Gune is yet another MR-hater. Politically, Gune is zero!
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KA Sumanasekera / May 9, 2016
[Edited out]
UNP heavy weight Minister Mr Wijedasa told the media that Anura Prince came and personally collected LKR 25 Lakhs from Batalanada Ranil’s UNP treasury.
Prince said “Yes” when the Journos quizzed him.
That is small change and Dublin Banks even take them as Term Deposits let alone Swiss banks in the neighbourhood..
Wonder when he is going to front up to the Journos this time ,after getting over the jet lag.
Would he say Yes again?.
But the off sides Herath and Tilin were very uncomfortable when the Journs grilled them, while the Prince was in Dublin.
One thing our gun Sinhala Journos nowadays don’t take shit from these Politikkas any more.
Good on them , I think we need more of them going forward to protect our land even from this Jathiya Vinasa Peramuna – the new JVP.
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Native Vedda / May 9, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“One thing our gun Sinhala Journos nowadays don’t take shit from these Politikkas any more.”
Is it because their life is safe in the hands of this regime?
I haven’t read or heard anything about fleet of white vans, saffron clad thugs, motor cycle gunslingers, motor vehicle accidents, …. for quite sometimes.
For Sinhala journos who have been taking s**t all their life, this is a welcome change.
Where is the man who lost his valet in a brothel in a country of Buddhists? Has he found it? Is he still looking for it?
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max / May 9, 2016
JVPers sang the same ‘baila’ in the days of Mr. Somawanse leaving the party. And, during the split of Kumar G and gang, JVP was in the same deny mood. Not only that, the same JVPers used to flatly deny when the remuour came out saying Vimal W was going to exit from the party. So, lets see whether the newspaper corrects or the ‘rathu sahos’ are correct.
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patriot / May 9, 2016
JVP has adopted the Bodhi Sira and Batalanda Ranil style. Hmm if Divaina is about all Pacha what about the Rajapaksa Lamborghinis. Truth hurts and hurts really bad.
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Douglas / May 9, 2016
This “STORY” must end now. The Editor of Divayina has expressed regret and asked be pardoned. He has even asked the JVP to write a detail report on this matter and promised to give wide publicity in the next Sunday issue. When a reporter asked the Editor, the possibility of Wimal Weerawansa going round the country holding this paper, he castigated Wimal and asked what type of voter base he has. Anyway, that indicates the role played by Wimal in this matter and let it be sought out by that camp. What I intend to say here is: JVP must not get distracted by these type of “Mud Slinging” and get silenced on the commendable task they are presently performing while being in the Opposition. They are no doubt filling the “Huge Gap” created by the Official Opposition. If you listened to JVP leader’s speech in Parliament on the debate of Supplementary Vote of 55 million, you would have realized the contribution he made in that regard and regretted for not hearing such an analysis from the Leader of the Official Opposition. As at today, we have only JVP to give that critical analysis on Governmental affairs, while the Official Opposition is not at all showing any interest on National issues and the self titled Joint Opposition is 100% engaged in the campaign of “Bring Back Mahinda”. So, JVP allow those responsible for this matter of “Mud Slinging” to fall into the pit they themselves dug and continue to give credence to the peoples’ voice and concerns from inside and outside that Assembly. Thank you for doing that job well.
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