In a nearly hour-long discussion, the JVP General Secretary explained about what the delegation experienced during their visit to China. He also disputed accusations of there being no democracy in China, telling the interviewer that the country had a form of governance where people are being heard, their welfare is being looked into and information is being collected from the grassroots level to take action regarding their issues.
“As such, we feel there is a form of democracy there. True, it is a one-party system, but there is a positive side to that also because it helps to work towards one direction, one plan,” the JVP General Secretary added. The comment by the JVP General Secretary seeing a positive side to a one-party system must surely raise ‘red flags’.
“We have now started to change this country. But, if our government changes in the next five years while we are in the process of making this change, then everything we started would be ruined. The next group would do something different.
That is why we think that if a government can stay in power for 15, 20 or 25 years. Only then would it be able to take the country forward under one vision, one policy framework. That is the advantage that China has, and they have utilised it. I believe that is one of the reasons for their rise,” Mr. Silva further said.
During discussions they held with CPC officials, they expressed clear happiness at the JVP coming to power, according to Mr. Silva. “They were very pleased that we had reached the point of gaining power, amidst all the difficulties, without giving up and bearing everything. They also emphasised that if we are to enact the changes we have envisaged, we need to be in power for at least 15 to 20 years. We have to win another three to four elections. Otherwise, real change isn’t possible. Even in China, it took 30 to 40 years to make real changes. You can’t make such changes in five years. You need to be in power for a long period for that. That’s what they told us.”
While the comment by the JVP General Secretary about remaining in power for 15, 20 or 25 years and seeing the “positive side” of a one-party system like in China must surely raise ‘red flags’, he was careful enough to add the rider that he was not advocating one-party rule in Sri Lanka. He clearly stresses that while the goal is to stay in power for anywhere between 15 and 25 years, they must do so at the ballot box, receiving a mandate from the people during the elections to come.
Excerpts from the political column of the Sunday Times