Amid charges by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) rebels that alliance politics has eroded the party’s political culture, the crisis-ridden JVP said yesterday it had taken a policy decision not to forge political alliances with any other party for whatever reason, but to carry forward its political struggle based on the principles of communism.

The JVP was instrumental in forming the UPFA in 2004 and it supported the candidacy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005. The JVP then contested the last parliamentary election under the Trophy symbol of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).

In an interview with Daily Mirror, JVP   central committee member Bimal Ratnayake said the party had taken a decision some time ago not to forge political alliances hereafter, and he pointed out that as such those whom he cited as factionalists had no reason to find fault with the party.
“We had decided this a year ago,” he said.

When asked about the political future of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka with whom the JVP had politically aligned itself at the last two major elections, Mr. Ratnayake said it was up to Mr. Fonseka to determine his political future.

He said as Mr. Fonseka had been jailed as part of the government’s suppression of an individual’s democratic rights for political reasons, the JVP would continue to fight for the restoration of his political and civic rights.

“We will struggle for his release from prison and restoration of his democratic and human rights. That is not a problem,” he said.  
Mr. Ratnayake admitted that the present crisis triggered by what he called ‘factionalism’ had a kind of impact on the party and its membership, and the challenges lying ahead would be overcome with renewed vigour and strength.

“This is a crisis created by a handful of people. We will overcome it and get the party back on track within the next few weeks,” he said.
When asked about the dissidents’ demand for a convention, he said the next Central Committee would decide whether the party should have a special convention or not.

“The party is required to have conventions every five years.  However, there are provisions in the party that provide for holding special conventions under special political circumstances.  The central committee will decide on it,” he said. (By Kelum Bandara)