Hinting at a leadership change in the party, the JVP announced it would set an example to the country by handing over the reigns of the party to the younger generation, which had the ability to take the party to greater heights.

This announcement was made by JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe at the commemoration of the April ‘71 Heroes, over the weekend.

The JVP leader said he did not want to lead the party confined to a wheelchair. One must accept the reality that his or her life would not last for ever though the class struggle would move from generation to generation, he said. “We don’t want to remain leaders for ever,” he stated, recalling that Cuban Leader Raul Castro set a precedent by announcing his retirement recently. However, he fell short of giving a time frame for this change in the party.

Mr. Amarasinghe said the likes of the April ‘71 heroes were needed today than ever before. However, he said the country did suffer losses because of the uprising; 20,000 cadres died and some of the security forces also sacrificed their lives. “This uprising was a defensive move and not an offensive one,” he added recalling that the JVP was the number one enemy of the then government. (YP)