Our mission was to create a just and fair society for the people. We engaged in politics for it. In the wake of past attempts to crush our party, we resorted to different means to press ahead with our struggle. Since then, society has evolved and we also adjusted ourselves accordingly. Still, we did not deviate from our founding principles and objectives. We changed our strategies and reorganised ourselves, though.
No more armed struggle
In one era, armed struggles were considered in the world as a way of capturing power. In our movement, we resorted to it as and when the situation demanded. Later, it became a method disregarded in the world. After that, we turned to building a public movement. There were many transformations in the world. Technology evolved and lifestyles altered. People’s necessities have changed since 1965, when we formed the party. We harboured the idea right from the beginning that we should secure public support first to gain political power. We tried from the beginning to expand ourselves into public movements. We did it under different terminologies. It did not succeed initially. Yet, in 2018, it became successful. It is a public movement, not a coalition. We chose slogans in terms of public needs.
No unilateral abrogation of IMF deal
We did not inherit a country that was in good shape to be governed. We inherited a country that is bankrupt and finds it difficult to settle huge debts accumulated over the years. It is a country that struck a deal with the IMF on disadvantageous terms. It would have been better had we not struck a deal with the IMF to get out of the current abyss. Now, there is nothing we can do because the agreement has already been signed. It is an agreement between Sri Lanka and the IMF. Whichever party is in power, the agreement has to be honoured. We cannot unilaterally abrogate it. If we do so, we will face serious repercussions.
Now, we have to deal with the IMF in accordance with the mandate exploring flexibility in areas where changes can be done. we have not given mind to to come out of this IMF programme yet. That cannot be done now. We have to move ahead with this agreement with some amendments if possible. There is some form of economic stability now. We have to build on that. Depending on its success in terms of expected economic growth, indigenous economic strengths and our debt sustainability, we can think of the next step in the future.
It is the party that ensured the victory
The party only ensured the electoral victory. Now, there is a government formed after an electoral victory. Both the party and the government are geared for the same objective. However, the entire party machinery has not become part of the government. It means there is one segment of the NPP not being aligned with the government. They continue to engage in political work such as educational activities, organizational activities etc. The JVP is also involved in its drive to increase membership. It is absolutely essential for us. The party machinery is needed to link the government with people. The party’s role is important in ensuring public support to the government’s initiatives. The government needs human resources in discharging its functions. The party has a role in building this human resource. The government and the party are not merged, but interlinked.
A new mechanism to monitor & guide government
We will form a new mechanism to monitor and guide the government. It is not an official mechanism, but a voluntary initiative. It will involve a large number of MPs who do not hold ministerial responsibilities in our government. Among them are MPs with different talents and interests. Earlier, we had ten committees that formulated policies covering areas such as economy, environment, education etc. All of them who served in these committees are not in the government. Some of them are not MPs. They too can be involved in this mechanism. That is a mechanism to ensure knowledge and expertise of others in running the government. In parallel to the government, the party’s structure will operate from grassroots level to the top.
We are a socialist party
Our party based on socialist policies. Such systems of party and the government exist in countries such as China and Vietnam. We had it in Sri Lanka in the past. For example, once Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) won elections, the party and the government got merged and became inseparable. The party lost its organizational structure that should otherwise remain independent of the government. Once the government collapsed, it lost everything. For us, power originates from people. In the execution of power, there has to be a nexus between its centre and periphery. The government’s structure, as usual, runs down to the level of Grama Niladhari. The political authority runs down to the local authorities. Simultaneously, we should have the party structure operating right down to grassroots level.
Excerpts from a longer interview with JVP the General Secretary of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) published in the Daily Mirror.