“Amarasinghe was very critical of President Rajapaksa, saying he had a very narrow vision and an inferiority complex, which stemmed from the fact that he was not from one of the traditional power families. As a result, he suspected everyone, especially ‘learned people.’” US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
US ambassador Patricaia Butenis met JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi on 15th January 2010. In that meeting they discussed the JVP’s version of a United, multiethnic, multi – lingual Sri Lanka, JVP’s support for Sarath Fonseka’s presidential candidacy, JVP’s support for a truth commission instead of a war crimes trial and JVP’s view of the involvement of the international community in Sri Lankan internal affairs.
The cable is classified as a “CONFIDENCIAL” by the ambassador Butenis. According to the cable she has reported to Washington that “ Amarasinghe described the JVP as a reformed Marxist Party, with equality for all. He emphasized that they were not a nationalist party and believed strongly in multiparty democracy. The JVP was even in favor of a Tamil prime minister. The JVP also believed in developing power as far as possible, including allowing villages to decide on the allocation of funds.”
Somawansa with US ambassador Butenis
Regarding JVP support for Sarath Fonseka’s presidential campaign, JVP leader Amarasinghe cited seven reasons; he was the only person who could defeat President Rajapaksa, JVP has never supported the current government, Fonseka was willing to eliminate the executive powers of the president, he was well – respected by the people, he was very direct and he had a broad vision for the future of Sri Lanka. The ambassador further wrote “ Amarasinghe went to add that Fonseka was marginalized after the military defeat of the LTTE because he was in favor of reconciling with former LTTE members. This convinced the JVP that Fonseka was committed to uniting the nation.”
Expressing their view on war crimes issue Amarasinghe said there were human rights violations in every war and with regard to the final year of the Sri Lankan war there were in fact far fewer human rights violations than ever before. In terms of moving forward, he favored the idea of a “truth and reconciliation commission,” not a war crimes trial.
We publish below the relevant part of the leaked cable;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000053
SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/25/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE SUBJECT: LEFTIST JVP EXPLAINS SUPPORT FOR FONSEKA COLOMBO 00000053 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a January 15 meeting with Ambassador, neo-Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party chief Somawansa Amarasinghe and JVP MP Sunil Hanunnetti discussed the JVP's vision of a united, multiethnic, multi-lingual Sri Lanka; their support for Sarath Fonseka's presidential bid; their support for a truth commission, instead of a war crimes trial; and their view of the involvement of the international community in Sri Lankan internal affairs. END SUMMARY. JVP REVAMPING IMAGE ------------------- ¶2. (C) Amarasinghe described the JVP as a reformed Marxist Party, which stood for a united, multiethnic, multi-lingual Sri Lanka, with equality for all. He emphasized that they were not a nationalist party and believed strongly in multiparty democracy. The JVP was even in favor of a Tamil prime minister. The JVP also believed in devolving power as far as possible, including allowing villages to decide on the allocation of funds. On election violence, Amarasinghe claimed that although JVP members were forceful at demonstrations, they were very disciplined and avoided violence. He asserted that the JVP had never engaged in political violence during peacetime. (NOTE: The latter claim might only hold true if one accepted the JVP line that the 1971 and 1987-89 JVP insurrections, in which thousands lost their lives, could be considered "wartime." END NOTE.) SUPPORT FOR FONSEKA ------------------- ¶3. (C) Regarding JVP support for Sarath Fonseka's presidential campaign, Amarasinghe cited several reasons: 1) He was the only person who could defeat President Rajapaksa; 2) the JVP had never supported the current government (NOTE: This strains credulity. The JVP supported Rajapaksa in 2005 then grew increasingly alienated as Rajapaksa favored his own party supporters over the JVP in government appointments. END NOTE.); 3) Fonseka was willing to eliminate the executive powers of the president; 4) his focus was on education and health issues, not the military; 5) he was well-respected by the people; 6) he was very direct; and, 7) he had a broad vision for the future of Sri Lanka. Amarasinghe went on to add that Fonseka was marginalized after the military defeat of the LTTE because he was in favor of reconciling with former LTTE members. This convinced the JVP that Fonseka truly was committed to uniting the nation. THE JVP AND RAJAPAKSA --------------------- ¶4. (C) Amarasinghe was very critical of President Rajapaksa, saying he had a very narrow vision and an inferiority complex, which stemmed from the fact that he was not from one of the traditional power families. As a result, he suspected everyone, especially "learned people." WAR CRIMES ---------- ¶5. (C) On the JVP's position on the war-crimes issue, Amarasinghe said there were human-rights violations in every war. In the last year of the Sri Lankan war, however, there were, in fact, far fewer human-rights violations then ever before. In terms of moving forward, he favored the idea of a "truth and reconciliation commission," not a war-crimes trial. He added that the JVP had issued a statement in favor of this approach, which was provided to the Ambassador.
Wasantha R / September 30, 2011
: Here one extact from this cable and that reveal the naked truth of JVP bogus campaign over Tamil’s plight:
“…..On the JVP’s position on the war-crimes issue,Amarasinghe said there were human-rights violations in everywar. In the last year of the Sri Lankan war, however, there
were, in fact, far fewer human-rights violations then ever
before. In terms of moving forward, he favored the idea of a
“truth and reconciliation commission,” not a war-crimes
trial. He added that the JVP had issued a statement in favor
of this approach, which was provided to the Ambassador
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TP / September 30, 2011
This short prick, Somawansa should be taken to all possible courts against barbaric acts of violence he committed during the late 80’s and early 90’s. It was Rajapaksha (unfortunately) allowed this monkey back in to the country. He has forgotten how he killed innocent government servants in cold blood while the families watched in agony, how he beheaded people and stuck the heads on gate posts…Can he deny? Then he ran away from SL and lived happily in UK..while his team-mates were anhilated back home….Who is he to talk of infriority complexes when he suffers from all possible mental sicknesses???? Dumb ass he is…..ROT IN HELL you arse…soon you won’t have your office to sit in, cos the new generation will shove you off……IDIOT!
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Rupasinghe V / September 30, 2011
ha ha read verycarefully how the JVP whitewashes the brutal war crimes done by the military claiming, “….THERE WERE,IN FACT,FAR FEWER[FAR FEWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]HUMAN-RIGHT VIOLATIONS THEN EVER BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Jagath Dias / September 30, 2011
People may not vote for you now, but still you are an essential part of SL politics.
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randy Mathew / March 2, 2012
The JVP is not qualified to talk about human rights violations.
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vasula / September 30, 2011
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” George Orwell Listed in: War & Peace
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Weeravansa / September 30, 2011
Didn’t he know Rajapaksa’s this complex when they support for Rajapakse in the presidential election.?
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Weeravansa / September 30, 2011
is Somwansa from the ruling class?
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Vimalasiri Gamlath / September 30, 2011
YOU ARE TO BE BLAMED FOR ALL THE CURRENT TURMOILS IN SRI LANKA
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Poramala / September 30, 2011
Haa haa.. perfect timing for this news.. :D
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piyadasun / September 30, 2011
have a look at this “he had a broad
vision for the future of Sri Lanka. Amarasinghe went on to
add that Fonseka was marginalized after the military defeat
of the LTTE because he was in favor of reconciling with
former LTTE members. This convinced the JVP that Fonseka
truly was committed to uniting the nation. ” , I didi not know that JVp was in favour of reconciling with LTTE. Do you remember the poster campaign they had when government announced that they will not use heavy weapons ? This opportunistic doubled tongued cockroach is a perfect match for mrs butenis who represents a country fulll of bigots ! and pretenders. America the saviour of the universt, somawansha the “reformed” marxist !!!!
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SD / October 1, 2011
Dear Friends,
Let’s consider US Ambassador’s statement allegedly uttered by Mr.S. Amarasinghe during last election – Please note that this has happened sometime back now…
His words are stated herein under inverted commas. ” ”
Amarasinghe cited several reasons:
“1)He was the only person who could defeat President Rajapaksa”;
This was what JVP (at least some of their leaders) believed at that time. History had shown what is correct. SF could not only beat MR but did not achieved the status of RW.
2) “the JVP had never supported the current government” (NOTE:
This strains credulity. The JVP supported Rajapaksa in 2005
then grew increasingly alienated as Rajapaksa favored his own
party supporters over the JVP in government appointments.
END NOTE.);
Look at Patricia’s Note: She herself has seen stark difference of Mr.Amarasinghe’s claim and is contradictory to popular belief that JVP has SUPPORTED WHOLE HEATEDLY to MR. May be Mr.Amarasinghe is saying the truth. We know what they have done at later part of WAR against LTTE and even today. We must thank Mr.Amarasinghe to admit the true motive of JVP. (But the true thank goes to the Wikileaks for publishing this secret cable)
“3) Fonseka was willing to eliminate the executive powers of the president;”
A power hungry former military commander had shown his true colours during the election campaign. Only Utopians can believe SF was ready to drop that EP status if he was elected. Remember what SF told publicly on this very topic and he said I will keep powers of executive if I was elected. Laughing stock of JVP.
“4) his focus was on education and health issues, not the military;”
What…? Then Why he made demand to increase Army in numbers, acquire more weapons and ambitious plans to deploy military in northern zones after we defeat LTTE?
Education? Health? with T58 and shells?
“5) he was well-respected by the people;”
Yes at a time before he himself exposed his true character in public during election campaign and after it is no more valid. He is like Ehalepola who had lead anti-imperial war once and later betrayed the country and ultimately died exile in a cell. (Ditta damma wedaneeya kamma)
“6) he was very direct;”
Yes indeed he was very direct in several ways, He himself admitted that stopping corruption will be starting from himself (this means admitting he is already corrupted.) This franky has never exclaimed how Mr.Danuna Thilakarane(his Son-in-law) earned his money partly recovered late.
He was very straight on those who took disciplinary actions against ill-famed army women’s corp soldiers who slept with him.
He has directly punished those should not be punished. Josep Stalin is 10 thousand times better than this DIRECT(OR) guy!
and,
“7) he had a broad vision for the future of Sri Lanka.”
Broad? We have to ask from Mr.Amarasinghe what is he meant by broad?. (forget vision- that is too much for SF or Mr.Amarasinghe to digest in their older age)
SF is vision is nothing but (if he had something called vision) fancying of Phinotche or other military dictators of so called post modern era.
With UNP and JVP together and Western powers controlling from his bed what vision can this poor SF would have if was elected?
Amarasinghe went on to
add that
“Fonseka was marginalized after the military defeat of the LTTE because he was in favor of reconciling with former LTTE members. This convinced the JVP that Fonseka truly was committed to uniting the nation”
Our people know what had happened both during and after the WAR. Who will believe Mr.Amarasinghe’s claim now.
NOT EVEN the true leader of JVP – Mr.Gunaratnam who had opposed the supporting SF on last election for reasons best known to him.
This is one of the core issue of JVP’s present split and time will tell more on this.
I have earnest request from the editor:
Please do not let anyone to use filth in this thread.
Those who can not make their comments in decency and with due respect paid to even those who opposing their ideals should be taught writing skills first.
Otherwise, this area will soon be a graffiti site resembling a public toilet.
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randy Mathew / March 2, 2012
Why are the Americans dealing with another terrorist ?
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