The Marxist revolutionary Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) adding a twist to the political culture of Sri Lanka yesterday said they would be celebrating Valentines Day today at the Galle Face Green, creating history in leftist party politics.  

The National Organizer of the Socialist Youth Union and JVP member Bimal Rathnayake told Daily Mirror that Valentines Day was not just a day to sell commercial goods but a day to discuss the true social problems the youth were forced to face regarding love and romance and to oppose the ‘Rule of Ceasar’ in Sri Lanka in the manner in which the citizens opposed the ‘Rule of Claudius’ in ancient Rome.  

“Emperor Claudius carried out a dictatorial family rule in Rome. So just like that, today in Sri Lanka another doctorial rule is being carried out. So we want to inform the youth about the real significance of Valentine’s Day and make people rise against the Rule of Ceasar in our country,” Rathnayake said.

Rathnayake explained that the obstacles youth in Sri Lanka had to face concerning marriage would be discussed at today’s event at the Galle Face Green which would consist of a speech by Bimal Rathnayake, a musical show and a drama.

 “Through the cultural show the problems faced by the youth in our country regarding marriage will be discussed heavily,” he said.

 The theme of this programme is ‘A tomorrow that doesn’t have a price, dowry or differences of cast or creed for love’,”

During a press conference held regarding this event Rathnayake said, “What we have in the society today is romance corrupted by money. A society that marries beds, chairs and tables has been created. Sri Lanka secured the number one slot for searching the term ‘sex’ globally. It has been stated that 1/4th of those who surf the internet access web sites with sex scenes. Many youth have got addicted to such behavior due to the non availability of proper sex education. The regressive nature of the culture in our country has burdened our youth with various obstacles, and pressure. As youth do not have an environment for romance they have got addicted to a ‘guest house’ culture.”

In 270 A.D. Emperor Claudius carried out a dictatorial family rule in Rome. He exposed Rome and the colonies to a massive war for the benefit of his family and wanted to enlist the youths as soldiers to his armies and therefore prohibited youth from getting married. Valentine, a priest, opposed this move by the emperor and carried out a struggle against him while representing the rights the youths had to love and to get married. Due to his struggle on behalf of the youths Emperor Claudius murdered Valentine and since then the priest Valentine is commemorated every year on February 14. (Jayashika Padmasiri)