JVP Dissidents to part ways officially

20 November 2011 09:30 pm

JVP dissidents will officially break ranks with the party next month after the formation of a new leftist movement by summoning a special convention, the Daily Mirror learns.

The dissident group is now engaged in the formation of this movement but they are yet to decide on a name for the new faction.

A dissident member who wished to remain anonymous told the Daily Mirror that a special convention would be held in December to elect office bearers to the latest leftist movement in Sri Lanka.

“Virtually, it will mean our official parting ways from the JVP. The new movement will take on the government. We will work against neo-liberalism,” he said.

Already, eight members out of the 23-member JVP central committee have teamed up with the dissidents. JVP MP Ajith Kumara is also among them. Other central committee members who defected are Ms. Dimuthu Attigale, Waruna Deeptha Rajapaksa, Pubudu Jayagoda, Duminda Nagamuwa, Chameera Koswatte, G. Kularatne and S.K. Subasinghe.

Despite the defection, the JVP leadership is yet to officially expel them from the party. So far JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has only sent warning letters to the dissident members asking them not to conduct seminars critical of the party. 


The JVP had  not omitted the names of these dissidents from the list of party’ members submitted to the Elections Commissioner recently in keeping with the requirement for registered political parties to submit a list of names of party members to the Polls Chief.

However, the dissidents now say they will leave the party virtually with the formation of the new movement. (Kelum Bandara)