“Power is a tool that should be used to guide our goals. If we start acting without adhering to this tool, our goals will change. Today, we are at a point where it is time to wear ‘new clothes,’ as said by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), while addressing the 35th commemoration of the Ilmaha Heroes’ Day at the JVP’s main office today.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake further elaborated in his full speech as follows:
“Today, we are gathered to commemorate the 35th Ilmaha Heroes’ Day. Before this, in our commemoration of the heroes, it was a mission to acquire power. It was a movement driven by their ideals and sacrifices that we had to move forward with. Today, we are commemorating them as a movement that has acquired power. We are facing a significant difference between the challenges of the old era and the challenges of the new era. This is something we must understand.
Back then, many were killed, including the founder of the party, Rohana Wijeweera, political comrades, and even those who provided us with meals, including members of the Central Committee. The actions taken by the ruling class, which led to these killings, show the true nature of the ruling class and their opposition to us.
In 1978, we entered the democratic political process very peacefully. We contested in the elections of that year. When the Sri Lanka Freedom Party boycotted the 1981 Development Council elections, we contested. We fought against the undemocratic postponement of elections. Although we focused on democratic values, we worked tirelessly to secure democracy. Despite the opposition, our efforts were clear: we were fighting for democracy, and we acted as its defenders. But in 1983, using events created by them, they banned us. They banned us politically because of our goals. Was it because we left democracy? No. Was it because we interfered to create unnecessary conflicts? No. The reason they banned us was our goals. We were choosing a path that would lead us to victory. They had a deep desire to defeat our goals, and they were afraid of that goal.
We had two paths to choose from. One was to abandon our goal. The other was to continue working for that goal despite being banned. The distinctive feature of the Ilmaha Heroes is that, even when an easier path was available, they chose the difficult path for the goal. Our old comrades, the heroes, followed actions that reflected that goal. At that time, the ruling class needed to either eliminate the goal or eliminate those who carried it. If they could not defeat the goal, they resorted to eliminating the people who carried it.
In such times, something that should not have happened occurred. There were many discussions in society regarding those events. However, it is important to note that the killings did not happen because of those events. If we committed any acts, the reason for the killings was not those events, but our goals. They thought that they could destroy the goal only by killing those who carried it. In the political context, they even targeted not just the leaders, but also the families of those who carried the goal.
They eventually said, ‘The match is over.’ What they meant was that our goal was finished, and those who carried the goal were also finished.
Then, after 1989, we restarted our political movement. To rise again, to make this movement strong again, our goal is what drives us. Our courage comes from our goals. Our unwavering, unyielding goals are what fuel our spirit. We have faced challenges, split-ups, and defeats. But through all that, we emerged victorious. In September 21st, we secured a major victory on that decisive moment.
This short history can be broken down into four chapters: From 1978 to 1983, from 1983 to 1989, from 1994 to September 21st, and from September 21st to the future. The new chapter starting from September 21st is an opportunity for us to accomplish our goal. Despite the changes in methods, statements, strategies, and challenges, one thing remains constant: our goal. The new chapter we have started is to fulfill that goal.
They fear this goal. One is the shift of power from the hands of the corrupt, oppressive system to the people. The second is the fear of the people being given freedom to think and act freely. They have always feared the people’s power, and as such, they are afraid of the social change that would come with that shift.
That is why what happened in the last election was as it was. There were various symbols and stages. Their fear was that they would not be allowed to seize power. Power creates power. Power extends power. Now, their focus is on preventing us from confirming our power. If we are unable to get a majority in parliament, that shows the weakness of power. If power remains stable for a while, it only becomes stronger, and they want to stop us from acquiring it.
They were in a state of uncertainty. They had no opportunity to decisively separate the power bases. But now, when we draw the line of governance, they are forced to unite in a single camp. That is the strength of the moment. Different factions, whether they are liberal, ethno-nationalist, or conservative, have all gathered under one banner. Our government has created that opportunity for them.
Our struggle for power will only be successful if we stay true to our goal. The goal is justice for those who died for it, to achieve fairness and truth. Today, we are committed to pursuing that goal despite the challenges. The new challenges ahead will require the strength and unity of our party to face. Winning power is not our ultimate goal; the goal is to make it a reality.
We must remain vigilant in our conduct, remembering the lessons of the past. The power given to us by the people will be subject to constant examination. Our critics are the people. They have trusted us, and we must prove that we are worthy of that trust. Our future decisions should reflect the integrity of our goals. We must move forward, making sure we remain true to our commitment to the people, to the nation, and to our cause.”
