Dissidents won't be JVP members from Jan.1

JVP dissidents will cease to be members of the party on January 1, 2012 with their decision not to participate in the party’s special convention scheduled for that day in Tissamaharama, Hambantota, the Daily Mirror learns.

The JVP decided to have this special convention on January 1 in the backdrop of nine out of the total 23 central committee members defecting from the party and demanding changes in the ideological base of the party.

A central committee member–turned- dissident told the Daily Mirror today on condition of anonymity that all the rebel members would boycott this convention for several reasons. He charged that the party had called for this convention after amending the membership list with new additions.

“Earlier, there were only 954 members. After we defected from the party, the party hierarchy amended the list with the addition of 226 names more and sent it to be approved by the Elections Commissioner. It is a manipulation to increase their majority,” he said.

Also, he said that the party had chosen a venue outside Colombo to have this convention during this court vacation.

“Now, it is impossible for us to get a court ruling against the convention. Therefore, we do not have any faith in this convention. Most likely, we will not attend this convention,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)