JVP’s take on UNHRC, bad governance and economic crisis in Sri Lanka

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) spokesman and parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in an interview with the Daily FT critiques the on-going sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the state of bad governance, deteriorating law and order and the economic crisis in the country.

 Following are excerpts from the interview. 

 Q;  What are your views about the United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions?

 A:  United Nations is an organisation respected and recognised around the world. But it is no secret that this organisation acts according to the whims and fancies of powerful countries like the United States. One of the main purposes of UN is to fulfil political, economical and military needs of such countries. In such situations we shouldn’t be surprised that the US is using the UNHRC to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to implement the LLRC recommendations. On the other hand the Sri Lankan Government too has accepted that it is ready to dance to the tune of the UNHRC. This was clearly proved in the statement made by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.

We feel the Government is in agreement with the United States and UNHRC. The Government is trying to hoodwink the people in this country. It is not showing the real picture of the actual situation. Meanwhile, it is sad to say that the Rajapakse administration is using the ‘Geneva comedy’ for its own political agendas.

The truth is that people in this country are in danger; we need to raise a voice and fight against international conspiracies. We shouldn’t let such forces destabilise our country. But we should also remember that we cannot trust this Government and we cannot expect this Government to fight for our rights; because they are part of that conspiracy. It is sad to say that this country has to fight against international conspiracies as well as against its own Government.  

 Q:  Are you satisfied with the countermeasures taken by the Government against UNHRC resolutions?

 A:  What is Government’s stand on this? They are agreeing with the US and UNHRC to implement LLRC recommendations; but there is a dispute about the timeframe. Government is saying ‘we are ready to do it; but not when the UNHRC wants us to do it’. This is a tricky situation.

Powerful western nations such as the US try to interfere and pressure other emerging countries to fulfil their political, economical and military agendas. Sri Lanka already dances to the tune of these countries. By joyfully implementing recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) we are willingly supporting US and other western nations to fulfil their economical agendas. Why did the Government increase fuel prices? Why did the Government decide to float the rupee? The Government didn’t do any of these to protect the country. The Government was only doing what the IMF asked them to. The same Government that makes a big hue and cry against political interference by US and UN are turning a blind eye to the US’s economical interferences.

A Security Agreement has been signed between Sri Lanka and US by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse and then US Ambassador Robert O. Blake. According to this agreement Sri Lankan Government has agreed to provide all necessary requirements to the US, if it interferes in a war situation in the Asian region. In simple terms, we have agreed to provide our port, air, land, infrastructure, food, water and any requirement that is needed if the US involves itself in a war in any part of the Asian region. According to this agreement, Sri Lanka is not in a position to have an independent stand but compelled to support the US in all their actions. Through this agreement they have militarily tricked us. And through the UNHRC they are trying to trap us politically. By agreeing to implement the LLRC recommendations, the Government has agreed to US’s political interferences as well.

 Q:  Why are you opposing Government’s decision to implement the LLRC recommendations?  

 A:  We do not accept the LLRC report. It is fabricated and inaccurate. The report was based on a study conducted during a time period commencing from the Cease Fire Agreement signed in 2001 until 2009 when the war ended. But the war didn’t start in 2001 it started many years before that.

What was the purpose of appointing the LLRC? When the Darsuman Committee was set up by UN, President Rajapkse appointed the LLRC as a countermeasure. Therefore, we cannot accept LLRC as a genuine body. This is why we say the report was a fabricated and inaccurate one. It has failed to provide an in-depth report about the country’s ethnic issue. Under such condition, we are against a decision to implement its recommendations.

 Q:  If the Government implements LLRC recommendations, what would be JVP’s next step?

 A:  We will have to see what recommendations are to be implemented by the Government. We will have to decide our next step once we get a clear idea about what recommendations will be implemented. However, why do we need the UNHRC or the US to tell us to establish human rights or democracy in Sri Lanka? There has been a long cry for democracy and human rights. People are demanding the Rajapakse administration to do away with its dictatorial ruling. People are urging the Government to free political prisoners who are mere victims of this Rajapakse dictatorship. Hasn’t there been a cry against media suppression? While some journalists are harassed and media institutions are destroyed – some are provided with immense privileges and benefits so that no anti-Government reports will be published. This Government has failed to bring an end to the ‘white van’ nuisance. In fact, it was proved recently that a section of military backed by the Government was behind the white van drama. When a Government acts in such inhumane ways it is natural to have allegations over democracy and human rights. What the Government should do is address those issues and implement measures to restore democracy and safe guard human rights. The Government shouldn’t implement recommendations based on a fabricated report that would ultimately lead to another arms struggle.

 Q:  The recent attempt to abduct Kolonnawa Mayor and Kahawatta murder are classic examples of the Government’s involvement in illegal activities. How would you describe this situation?

 A:  It is unfair to say that the military is behind white van abductions. A section of the military with the backing of the Rajapaksa administration is involved in this white van drama. This has been the latest strategy of the Government to fulfil its political agendas; they are using white vans to protect underworld supporters, drug dealers and political companions meanwhile they are using the same method to do away with rival underworld dealers, drug dealers and political opponents.

In this country, is there freedom to conduct a peaceful demonstration without getting tear gassed and being shot by the police? What happened to the innocent free trade zone workers who got on the streets to protest against the private pension bill? What happened to the innocent fishermen who took to the streets against the fuel hike? Some were killed and some were disabled. Why is this Government acting in such a dictatorial and cruel way?  

When John Seneviratne was the Minister of Justice, by making his coordinating secretary’s brother a prison guard he supplied drugs to the prison. Government ministers and many other SLFP politicians are behind unlawful acts that are taking place in this country. It is President Rajapaksa who is protecting these goons and henchmen. We need to stop this political culture. People in this country should  r ally against the President and his knavish Government.

Q:  The Government is claiming the JVP is trying to destabilise the country by rallying people against cost of living at a time Sri Lana is facing international conspiracies. Your comments.

A: We reject all such claims by the Government. We don’t believe that the Government is completely against imperialism, although it tries to show the world they are against imperialism, it is proved the Government started the ‘Geneva comedy’ and is only making this an excuse when it has to deal with people’s agitation. Why can’t the Government act in such way that people do not have to get on the streets? Why can’t they listen to the people in this country and address their issues properly?    

The people of this country still talk about the fuel price hike; they talk about the high cost of living. They have not fallen into the Government’s trap. It is the media that has forgotten the real issues in this country. It is the media that keeps talking about UNHRC in Geneva and stopped talking about the difficulties of the people. At this moment, how many ongoing strikes are there in this country? How many demonstrations are taking place every day? It is not the JVP that introduced vegetable crate law, it is not the JVP who is responsible when farmers struggle to sell their harvest, and it is not the JVP that increased fuel prices so how can the Government accuse JVP is behind people agitation?

Q: What are your views about the recent move by the Defence Secretary to instruct news outlets to seek prior approval before sending mobile phone alerts about the military and police?

A: The Government is carrying out an official and unofficial censorship at the moment. The recent abduction incident in Kolonnawa proved that the Government has now come to a position where they act against their own supporters. Initially, it was the media and opponents of the Government that were victims of this Government. Now this Government is harassing, abducting and killing its own people. But did any media report the correct version of this incident? No, because they are scared to report the truth. They do not want to be in Government’s bad books. They know what the end result will be. This is the result of unofficial censorship.

The recent news censorship shows the Government is afraid to show its true nature to the world. They are trying to cover up the actual situation by bringing in news censorship. But Mahinda Rajapakse should know that all dictators in the world who tried to do this, have failed.  

Q: What do you have say about Minister Wimal Werawansa’s recent call on all Sri Lankans to boycott US products?

A: He is a cabinet minister, so it is the duty of the Government to inform the country whether this was a Government stance or a mere statement made by a minister. If it’s the latter, I don’t think we should take any notice of that. This was the person who initiated a hunger strike when the Darusman Committee was appointed. This person has no say or power within this Government. He has no role to play in the Rajapakse administration. Geneva is like a lottery to him. He is trying to gain fame through making such silly statements. I think we shouldn’t waste our time discussing this matter.