Tilvin Silva on rebuilding the JVP, the common cause and public service

By Maneshka Borham/Sunday Observer.

The 36th commemoration of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s November Martyrs is not only a moment to remember its leaders who sacrificed their lives for the oppressed, including JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera, but also to reflect on the journey of the party they built.

Over the decades, the long serving General Secretary of the JVP, Tilvin Silva has guided the party through imprisonment, political splits, and immense challenges, remaining steadfast in his principles and unchanged in character.

Under his guidance, the party rebuilt itself from near oblivion, won the trust of the people, and has now risen to power as part of the governing National People’s Power (NPP) party. In this exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer this week, Tilvin Silva shared his recollections of those fateful days, the sacrifices made, the lessons learned, and the vision for a society transformed by the ideals of the November heroes.

Excerpts of the interview

Q: How do you recall the events of that fateful November 13, 1989?

It is a day etched permanently in our memories. It was the day our leaders including Rohana Wijeweera, the founder of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, who taught us politics, built a Movement for the oppressed, and dedicated their entire lives to that cause were killed. I was incarcerated at the New Magazine Prison when the news reached me. Some refused to believe the news, while others sensed that there might be truth in it. We were stunned and deeply saddened, yet even in that moment of despair we held on to one conviction, that our Movement could and would continue, even without Comrade Rohana.

Q: What responsibilities had the JVP entrusted to you at that time?

I was arrested in 1987. At the time I was a member of the party Central Committee and the District Secretary of Kalutara. Even after incarceration we continued to engage in politics. My responsibility at the time was to protect the team, keep their spirits from faltering, and ensure that morale remained strong until we are presented with an opportunity to achieve our aim. It was a responsibility that all of us shared.

Q: What role did you play in rebuilding the party in the period after 1987?

By 1989, everyone in the party politburo other than Comrade Somawansa. Many party members were killed as well and others moved away from politics. When we began to regroup in 1994, we were a scattered group of strangers. Some were in prison. Others had left the country or were in hiding. It was a time where there was lack of trust and familiarity. The one member that everyone knew was Comrade Somawansa Amarasinghe and he too was abroad for his safety. To restart our political journey, we needed a person who was widely accepted and recognised by the majority. It was for this reason that, at Comrade Somawansa’s request, I was compelled to take up the responsibility of the party. I had to bring our members together and organise our efforts to resume work accordingly.

Q: What were your feelings as you took up the post of JVP General Secretary at the time?

Even after our leaders were killed, we remained determined to rebuild the party at the earliest opportunity. Between 1990 and 1994, however, we were largely inactive and scattered, unable to regroup without risking arrest. By 1994, the political situation had changed, and we decided it was time to re-enter popular politics and find a way to do so. That was the reason the party contested the elections. Even then, I was imprisoned and was only released in November 1994. We managed to secure a seat in Parliament during the elections, a result that came as a pleasant and unexpected surprise. It also strengthened our resolve. Those who wished to lend their support and get involved then came together in order to build the party once more.

Q: The JVP has experienced significant splits over time, with some members leaving the party at various stages. Today, many of them are among its harshest critics. They also said the JVP has moved away from the revolutionary stance. How do you respond to this?

I believe this is a characteristic of Leftist Movements. When someone leaves or is removed from the Movement and it fails, they generally have no issue with it. But when the Movement succeeds, they find it difficult to accept. They feel that they, too, should have been part of the success, and some then try to undermine it.

Our greatest enemies have often come not from outside, but from within the party itself. This was evident in 1971, 1989, and even thereafter. They spread lies and attempt to tarnish our image. While the impact on us is minimal, they are unfortunately losing whatever respect they once commanded as former members of the Movement.

Criticism from those who have effectively died politically holds little weight for us. We have demonstrated that we can continue our work and achieve our goals without them.

Our vision to create a new society will never change. To that we must come into power. In the past there were varying views on how to obtain power. We did not accept them all fully, and neither did we reject them. But we got the opportunity to come into power through the people’s vote. Our aim, however, remains the same, only the manner in which we sought to claim power has changed. Today we are no longer with various tactics or methods used back then. We have come forward along with society to create a new and better society.

Q: You have served as the JVP’s General Secretary for decades. Some critics say that you have held onto power instead of passing leadership to the new generation. How do you respond to these claims?

Since the beginning, I have held a responsibility, not power. Power and responsibility are two very different concepts. Power is about being on top and gaining benefits. We have never sought or received any personal benefits from engaging in politics; we live like any other member.

I was entrusted with the responsibility to rebuild the party, and I have done my utmost to honour that trust. Even during periods of losses and splits, we managed to restore and strengthen the party. Until the party decides to relieve me of this responsibility, I will continue fulfilling it. I never asked for this role.

At the same time, we have many capable new members stepping forward, and we have entrusted them with significant responsibilities as well. So when the party chooses to introduce new leadership, there will be no obstacles to doing so.

Q: What were the lessons learnt by the JVP from the 1971 and 1988/89 insurrections?

Today, we firmly believe that democracy is essential for meaningful political engagement. When democracy is destroyed, the consequences are devastating. Therefore, protecting and strengthening democratic practices is crucial.

Another key lesson we have learned is that nothing can be achieved without public support. Even the most talented team, with the best qualifications, policies, and principles, cannot succeed if the people do not understand or embrace them.

Our experience has shown that we were able to present our policies in a way that the public could understand, and in doing so, we brought people together around our political vision and culture. Maintaining this connection between the people, our political principles, and our culture is the path forward to building a new society.

Q: Now that the National People’s Party (NPP) led by the JVP has come to power, what lessons and values from the November heroes’ sacrifices should guide the Government in its governance?

The old politics of our country was driven by personal gain. Many engaged in politics for their own interests, and others supported politicians with the expectation of benefits such as employment or favours.

The JVP, however, is different. We do not seek personal gain. Instead, we make sacrifices for a common cause. We dedicate our time, knowledge, and labour and, when necessary, even our lives. Rebuilding this country is not possible without such selfless commitment, and it cannot be done by those expecting personal benefits. Therefore, we must remember to completely set aside personal gain and dedicate ourselves fully to the common cause.

Q: The JVP lost many of its members during the 1988–1989 period of violence, and some remain missing to this day. Families continue to seek answers. Does the party have any requests to the Government on their behalf?

We believe a Commission should be set up to investigate such incidents in our country’s past, not only concerning our comrades, but also the other victims of atrocities, including those in the North and the East. There must be a thorough inquiry into the past, and justice must be delivered to the victims and their families. Now that we are in power, there is also the opportunity to conduct a proper inquiry and provide some relief to these families moving forward.

However, the priority is not to provide individual rewards, such as jobs or houses, to the families of the fallen. These were people who willingly gave up such benefits for the common cause. All our comrades dedicated their lives and made sacrifices for the greater good. Honouring their legacy by fulfilling that aim of building a just and fair society is perhaps the truest form of respect and justice we can offer them. We have given this priority now.

Q: As the JVP commemorates the 36th November Martyrs’ Day, what is your message to party members, supporters and the public, at large?

We have undertaken a very serious mission, not merely to run a Government, but to transform society as outlined in our manifesto, “A Thriving Nation, a Beautiful Life.” These are not just words, they carry a profound meaning.

Our vision is for economic development that involves the entire population, ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared fairly, not concentrated in the hands of a few. We aspire to a society where everyone can live happily, children can enjoy their childhood and receive a good education, and people can lead healthy lives with fewer illnesses. A society free from communal or racial conflict, where fairness and justice are guaranteed to all.

We aim to build such a society, even as we rebuild on old systems, a challenging task. Some entrenched habits are difficult to overcome, and those who have benefited from the previous system often attempt to obstruct progress. Yet, despite these obstacles, we remain committed to realising this vision.

I want to convey to the people that we have come a long journey and made countless sacrifices to achieve victory. But this was not for us to enjoy power for its own sake. Our aim is to use our Movement, our party, and our Government to build a new society.

We will face obstacles and struggles along the way. We must not be disheartened or disappointed when challenges arise. In our work, we must not only build consensus among the people but also set an example through our actions. If we are to create a new society, we must embody its ideals ourselves.

The people, and especially our party members, must work to strengthen these values and ideals, drawing lessons from the sacrifices of our fallen comrades. With their guidance and your support, we can achieve our goals.

To become such people, good, committed citizens means carrying forward the spirit of the November heroes. Winning the election was the hardest part. Now the real work begins. We must bring the people together and work collectively to rebuild our country and realise the vision of a thriving nation and a beautiful life.