The Janatha Vimukthu Peramuna (JVP) today staged their first mass protest rally against the government this year, mainly focussing on the country’s economic issues.
The party demanded the government to reduce the tax burden on the people and bring down the soaring cost of living.
The party also stressed the need for leading the economy out of the current debt-trap, through the right economic policies.
The protest march started from Punchi Borella and proceeded through Maradana to Colombo Fort where the final rally was held.
It was attended by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, General Secretary Tilvin Silva and other senior leaders and trade union activists of the party.
Speaking to media during the protest march organized by the JVP, Parliamentarian Nalin Jayatissa said both the UNP-led government and the Joint Opposition, led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not have a plan to resurrect the country’s economy.
“There is no ideological difference between the two parties. They promote the same, flawed principle. That is why bringing back the Rajapaksas to power is not a solution to the current economic crisis” the Parliamentarian explained.
“The government has now forgotten the mandate and working against the interests of the people. They are protecting thieves and handling the economy according to the whims and fancies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF),” he added.
“The public has no clear idea about the gravity of the debt burden left behind by the Rajapaksas. One of the weaknesses of the current government is its failure to give the correct understanding of this debt-trap to the people,” he added.
Jayatissa said the Rajapaksa group’s urgency to return to power only indicated their greed for ministerial positions and government perks.
The JVP. he said, had an alternative plan to resurrect the economy and reduce the burden on the people.
“We have a formula and we will soon launch it as a comprehensive plan,” Jayatissa said when asked about the JVP’s solution to the current economic crisis.
The Oracle / October 23, 2018
A massive crowd participating on their own free will , without free booze and food . Good to see a well disciplined, sober demonstration for a change .
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Champa / October 23, 2018
The Oracle
It is not a “massive crowd” surely. I am sure the JVP is thoroughly disappointed.
The crowd is a lifeless lame duck. No vigour, no spirit, no motivation at all.
I think the general public is moving away from all political parties.
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Steve / October 24, 2018
Champa
May not be a massive crowd, but the Red Tokens you collect are surely more than this crowd !!!
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Raja Senanayake / October 24, 2018
I think the people have learnt to distinguish between politics and the truth . One cant hoodwink all the people all the time. People seem to be learning the harsh reality of economic life- no gain without pain. no prosperity without production and no production without work and no free lunch. To get a better life we need to work and produce wealth or trade-able goods and services not to expect manna to drop from the skies as in the Old Testament during the sojourn of Moses in the desert.
R.M.B Senanayake
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Nimal / October 23, 2018
Previous “Janabalaya Kolambata” rally organized by Namal baba was destroyed by Basil Mama through a carefully hatched plot to distribute rotten milk packets.
Undisciplined village henchmen of MaRa, Namal, and GoTa all turned into savages after a mixed booze and rotten milk packets given by Basil stooges. After all they turned Colombo city into an open toilet.
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Raja Senanayake / October 24, 2018
It takes three generations of a liberal education to breed a gentleman. Have they got such a background?
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Native Vedda / October 24, 2018
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekere
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Do you think the Provincial Council Elections are around?
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I see a lot of Designer (probably imported) Rathu Paatte shirts being worn by the protesters.
I also see they are marching past DSI shop. Do you think if and when the JVP takes control of the state and government would they be tempted to nationalise DSI or destroy the business so as to create a level playing field for the working class?
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The Janathava is being taken for a ride again.
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Native Vedda / October 25, 2018
The Oracle
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How come the Rathu Paatte hasn’t supported the Workers protest on Galle Face Green yesterday?
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Estate workers at Galle Face
http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/10/25/local/166532/estate-workers-galle-face
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Increase daily wage to Rs. 1000
http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Increase-daily-wage-to-Rs–157304.html
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It is strange CT is keeping a deafening silence on the march of the Estate Workers.
A political pundit once speculated, any meaningful revolution will have to start from upcountry.
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Champa / October 23, 2018
Hoooooooo Joke of the day.
The JVP, which boasted for bringing in Maithri and Ranil’s slave government is now PROTESTING AGAINST THEIR OWN-SELVES.
I heard that the JVP is going to vote AGAINST the Budget, too. Why? They want Ranil to “buy their votes” as usual. We have seen this many times in the past.
“Poor Ranil,” he has to BUY votes every time there is a crucial Bill in the Parliament.
No wonder he had to orchestrate a scam to rob Bond money from the Central Bank. Otherwise, how could he BUY his own colleagues and other crooks in the Parliament?
When there is a proper court case on the Bond Scam, all crooks paid by Ranil through Bond money should also be punished in accordance with the law, under both, Public Property Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2018
Champa ……………………….. profession and a stupid
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“The JVP, which boasted for bringing in Maithri and Ranil’s slave government is now PROTESTING AGAINST THEIR OWN-SELVES.”
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Sri Lanka Freedom Party general secretary, Maithripala Sirisena relation with JVP goes back to 2004 when he and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna general secretary, Tilvin Silva signed a MOU in Jan 2004.
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Shameless SLFP especially Dr Mahinda didn’t mind sleeping with terrorist members of JVP including your pimp Wimal Sangili Karuppan, …………. then engineered its split.
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Champa / October 23, 2018
Hindian Vedda
Maithri-Ranil’s slave government is totally different from the 2004 scenario.
I was talking about the “Swan song” sang by JVP since 2015.
Now they are trying to play a different tune to hoodwink masses but the general public will never buy it ever again.
Looks like people will individually and voluntarily make a change in the next Presidential election. No Rajapaksa as the next President and surely not someone from any of the current political parties; SLFP, UNP, JVP or SLPP.
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2018
Champa …………………………profession
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Please pull your head from wherever it is now and see the world and history as it is without your usual stupid twists. You should not sit on your brain nor should you let the Pimp Wimal Sangili Karuppan sit on it.
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Champa / October 23, 2018
Hindina Vedda
All your comments are all dull and outdated.
You have no life but living in the past governments which were proven failures one after the other.
Welcome to the new world and new thinking people who are heading towards a new future that is totally different from the last 70 years, something people like you can never imagine.
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JD / October 23, 2018
Protugal – Tamil NAtive -Vedda: Tell me howMaithripala sirisena becomes a Saint ?
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Native Vedda / October 26, 2018
Jim Stupid Softy
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“Tell me howMaithripala sirisena becomes a Saint ?”
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First make him a just and compassionate human.
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JD / October 23, 2018
I can understand UNP – Native Vedda is upset with sold to UPFA CHAMPA. those days you were cheering to Wimal weerawansha. what happened ? I think Mahinda Rajapakse chased outr wimal weerawansha asking him to join JVP again and destroy it.
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Champa / October 23, 2018
JD
Wimal is supporting Gotabhaya to become the next President. I am not there. I don’t want a Rajapaksa to become the next President and go back to 2010-2015 era again.
Wimal has chosen to go backwards while I have chosen to go forward.
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Ajith / October 24, 2018
Champa,
There was a necessity to bring down the most corrupted brutal undemocratic, dictatorship family regime from the power. This much is about people and country, not about family only protest by Namal & Mahinda.
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Raja Senanayake / October 24, 2018
There has been no scam to rob Bond money from the Central Bank. Why don’t those who think there has been a scam not go to courts?
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old codger / October 24, 2018
Mr. Senanayaka,
“There has been no scam to rob Bond money from the Central Bank.”
Exactly what I and a few others have been saying for a while on this forum. Lots of accusers but nobody can produce figures to prove it. Not even the much-vaunted Rusiripala or Muttukumaru.
One cannot expect people who can’t understand a fuel price formula to understand bond issues!
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Gratiaen Hewa / October 23, 2018
We, of course, have already decided to vote for the JVP as we can definitely say that the present rulers are incapable and very weak the way things are taking place. They do not love this country. We must have a ruler like Anura D who will run a Government with a high standard of discipline devoid of corruptions etc.
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JD / October 23, 2018
Rajapakses, MAithripala sirisena and Ranil or SLFP plus three wheeler parties, UNP plus three wheeler parties are all the same musical chair playing, party flopping politicians are the modern Democratic system in Sri Lanka. I Hear Wimal weerawansa wanta to join JVP with the whole party. May be he is just thinking
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Thappu / October 23, 2018
So, Wimal Weerawansa can think also!
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JD / October 23, 2018
Both Maithripala and Ranil wickramsinghe proved that they as corrpt and plundering the countrhy exactly the way Rajapakses did. Now Ravi KArunanayake is using the Judicial system and Judges to escape his LIAR TO THE ciaboc COMMISSION. hOW CAN WE EXPECT THE HONESTRY AND INTEGRITY FROM THE 225 POLITICFIANS. They increase their salaries on their own. There are over 150 minister posts. All others are focusing giving govt contracts to their people. Every MP is the head of the elelctorate develooing committee when they don’t have their specific elelctorate. Every one is a OBervation (ADheekshana) MP for some ministry. They boasts all travelling abroad numerous times. JVP should back to their working at the villarge – grass root level and take some leadership. I am sure Sunul HAndunneththi has some leverage than AKD. Sri lanka does not need a country wide people elected president under a elelctorate elected governed by embassies and NGO Prime minister running the country. Sri lanka needs only elected by the people who is the executive to the parliament and he should be the only executive.
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Menu / October 23, 2018
All the JVP leaders walk in one bunch. How foolish? Where are the security advisors?
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chinchi maanawikaawa / October 23, 2018
JVP is good except Lalkantha. Don’t ever trust the buggar, the most sly one
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Fathima / October 23, 2018
Theme of the rally is “Cooling the People by Fooling”?
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JVP, you too started doing this? Few people who respect your party have brains, and know this is not the time for it.
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douglas / October 23, 2018
Champa: Your comment “HooooooooJoke of the day”. We had two of such rallies earlier – (1) The one organized by Wimal Weerawanse. That was a utter flop. Even MR got very angry and reprimanded Wimal for playing “JOKES” (2) The one organized by Namal Baby. That ended while participants got drunk and even climbed the electric poles. Some had to be transported to hospital using the Ambulance services. Now it has come to light that accusation of providing “Poisoned” milk packets was a complete “Fabrication” to divert the minds of the people, who actually saw an “Unruly Thugs” were brought into make show down. Both these rallies were to “TOPPLE” the Government and with a hidden agenda to bolster the image of Namal Baby. Now, that I have welcomed you to the “Fold”, please make a Comparative STUDY” of these THREE RALLIES and express what is the BEST . In that study, please consider the PURPOSE of the three rallies. Two of the earlier were to “TOPPLE” the Government. What a “BOORISH” purposes were those? They did it, because all of the organizers and the associates still treat the PEOPLE as their “SLAVES”. In this JVP affair, it was to PRESSURE the Government and show the frustrations of the PEOPLE. All of us know that it is not possible to topple Governments with rallies like these, unless those are real UPRISINGS that cripple the State Functions. So please try and see the reality in its correct perspective. Many more things to tell you; but perhaps later, Cheers.
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Mallaiyuran / October 23, 2018
JVP wants
1). Tax to come down
2). Cost of Living come down
3). Loan trap eliminated to loan burden to come down.
4). They want IMF dependency to come down.
5). Economy Improved.
Do anybody knows what is JVP’s plan? Sell Lankawe to China?
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K A Sumanasekera / October 23, 2018
How many did Dr Ranil send to his Massive Rally…
Did the Prince come in Mr Sampathar’s Limo ???????
Did any one see Abraham anywhere?..
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kuamaran / October 24, 2018
I like to ask these hooligans what THEY propose, other than murder and mayhem like 1971 and 1987!!
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shankar / October 24, 2018
“The government has now forgotten the mandate and working against the interests of the people. They are protecting thieves “
this JVP slogan is very good.Hope they keep on shouting it.Those who protect thieves are as bad as the thieves. JVP must now make it very clear to the people who is the culprits protecting the thieves.Unless that is clearly spelt out the message is wasted.
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K.Pillai / October 24, 2018
Thank you JVP. It gives us hope to see Lankans protesting in such large numbers in orderly and disciplined manner. Shows the commitment comes from their heart.
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Taxes are necessary but everyone must be made to pay their share. For example: The infamous Porter-Ambassador ASP Liyanage is known to boast that he or his company never paid taxes. This apply to all the filthy rich.
Do our politicians, high income earners like doctors, lawyers, businessmen pay their share of taxes? No no no they do not.
This is possible because of the culture of corruption/nepotism/impunity.
Every Lankan contributes to the GoSL revenue through taxes on almost everything from consumables like bread, sugar, cooking fuel and the like. The revenue is used on the tax-free limousines, guarding VIPs and so on. The revenue also goes into writing off losses like SriLankan Airlines and so on.
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To reduce taxes and to bring down the cost of living, JVP must address the bane of our society (THE CULTURE).
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Bartict / October 24, 2018
Whatever govt is in power today will have to face the current Debt, Balance of Payment & Currency Devaluation crises. I an mo economic pundit, but honestly I cannot understand how better to manage the economy in these circumstances. All JVP can do is demonstrate and demand higher wages. How to do is not addressed. This is a vote buying gimmick to fool the uneducated people.
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nalmen / October 24, 2018
on a previuos occasion the jvp tried to do the impossible
now they are asking the govt to do the impossible
when will they ever learn
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nalmen / October 24, 2018
socialism the world over is dead as as a dodo
it can never be restored democratically only by violent means and the jvp do not have the firepower to do it
sirima by rejuvenating the slfp gave the death blow to left politics
protest marches only make things worse for them politically
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Mohamed Marzook - UK / October 24, 2018
JVP is the only party that honestly stands for the rights of the people. They are determined and deliberate to salvage the country from its present pathetic plight. Jayaweva JVP.
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Amarasiri / October 26, 2018
Mohamed Marzook – UK ,
“JVP is the only party that honestly stands for the rights of the people. “
Please look at their report cards. 1971 and 987-89.
Common Candidate of Yahapalanaya, is the only party that honestly stands for the rights of the people. – 2015 Election Manifesto.
They all promise, change and do not deliver,: Politics.
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Raj / October 24, 2018
JVP may be an alternate to some when the mainstream parties have failed but apart from tough talking AKD & others in the party, have they come out with a viable political manifesto outlining their policies which will be the answer to their demands? By the way, has any JVP politician refused the duty free vehicle permit which has been paid for by the tax payers?
Before crying for the country, the JVP should at least apologise to the families of innocent people who were murdered & for the violent intimidation against the citizens of SL in the past. In fact, some of their founder leaders should be charged with crimes against humanity. The first step would be for AKD & his bunch is to denounce their bloody past. Maybe then I may consider the JVP as a honest party.
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