JVP vows to expel dissidents

25 September 2011 04:14 pm

The JVP today vowed to expel the dissidents from the party on the grounds that their recent actions did not condone with the party’s policies, discipline, political culture and organisational structure.

The simmering crisis in the party surfaced during the past week with a section of the membership led by Kumar Gunaratnam openly revolting against the party leadership. The rebel group also included central committee members Chameera Koswatte, Duminda Nagamuwa, Ravindra Mudalige and MP Ajith Kumara. The situation also led to physical clashes between members of the two factions.

Asked for a comment on the situation, former MP, politburo member K. D. Lal Kantha said breach of party discipline was an offence that warranted expulsion from party membership, and therefore, the Central committee would meet soon to decide on these dissidents.

“A handful of party members have created a political dialogue in the country in violation of the party’s constitution.  At district level, some comrades of the party have teamed up with them. It appears that they are trying to form a separate political party.

They act in that direction as things appear to us now. However, they still try to use the party’s resources and political mechanism to achieve this target,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)