Protest by JVP in Sri Lanka - Is this the beginning of uprise in Sri Lanka ?

Lipton Circus would be another Cairo – says Oppostion JVP Member Tilvin Silva (Sri Lanka) 


The protest movement that commenced today would not be the last but is the beginning of the struggle that would end the government and the capitalist system that suppresses the masses says the Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe. He said this speaking at the agitation held at the end of the ‘protest walk’ that marched from Campbell Park to Lipton Circle today (1st). 


The JVP organized the ‘Protest March’ to demand the government to bring down the cost of living that goes up day by day. The Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe addressing the massive crowd said, “The President and the current government gave a promise to the masses in this country in 2005. If this promise had been kept the prices of essential commodities would not go up today. Vegetables would not be so costly. The President, as the Minister of Finance, has increased taxes; has imposed heavy fines. As a result people from North to South and from East to West are distressed.










A minister had said Sri Lanka was a heaven. Next, the Prime Minister had said people have to suffer today to be happy tomorrow. Who has to suffer? It is the people who have to suffer according to them. We say people should not suffer but the President, the Prime Minister and Ministers should set an example to the people.


Rajapakses cannot suppress this voice of the people. Let’s bring to an end the period of lies. Let’s take this struggle forward.”


The General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva addressing the protestors said, “Earlier the people said the governemtn has two alternatives. One was to provide relief to masses and give the people an opportunity to spend their lives leisurely. The next alternative was for the government to resign. However, now there are no two alternatives. There is only one. The government should go home. This government has proved that it cannot develop the country. If the government is not prepared to bow down we have to make it go away.


There were torrential rains in several districts including Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa. The cultivations were ruined because of the rain. Billions were sent by various countries and organizations to provide relief to these people. Did the people who were distressed receive this aid? According to our sources these billions received as relief for the people are being distributed in Hambantota as election baits. Time has come to send Mahinda’s government home. Be prepared to send them home.


This period is not a good time for dictators. Masses in Tunisia, Egypt have taken to the roads. Ministers here say it would not happen here. We would like to say it would happen here as well. No ruler has been able to stay when masses decide to send them home. This is relevant to Tunisia, Egypt and to Mahinda as well.


The Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP Anura Dissanayake addressing the protestors said, “This government cannot increase salaries of state employees nor that of estate workers. It cannot bring down the prices of essential commodities. They cannot generate jobs. This social system that is incapable of providing what the people need should be cast aside. A social system that could provide relief to the people, generate jobs, an administration that could maintain law and order in the country should be developed. People should struggle to create such a society. They should rally for a new journey.”