A controversial statement by JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva has ignited heated debate in Sri Lanka’s political arena, drawing parallels to Cold War-era tensions and historic controversies over ties with Beijing.
Henpitagedara Gnanaseeha Thero, a prominent monk, played a decisive role in bringing Mrs Bandaranaike into politics after the assassination of her husband. He later forged close ties with China, and during Mrs Bandaranaike’s government from 1960 to 1965, authored a book advocating for Sri Lanka to adopt a dictatorial regime.
The book unsettled the opposition. Around the same time, Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Sri Lanka, pledging to gift the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall to the country. Relations between Sri Lanka and China deepened significantly during this period.
The monk’s alignment with China, combined with his pro-dictatorial writings and the Premier’s visit, alarmed the opposition, particularly the UNP. Rumours also spread that the Chinese Communist Party was involved in printing and distributing pro-government pamphlets to Sri Lanka.
The UNP staged protests outside the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, accusing China of backing Mrs Bandaranaike’s authoritarian tendencies. India, too, grew wary when she signed a maritime agreement with China in July 1963, prompting accusations that she had sold the Trincomalee Harbour to Beijing.
Opponents alleged she aimed to create a dictatorial “red” government modeled on China’s system, prompting the Mahanayake Theros and other monks to mobilize against her administration.
This historical episode has resurfaced after Tilvin Silva’s recent comments at a media briefing, where he revealed that during his visit to China, Chinese leaders told him the JVP government should stay in power for another 15 to 20 years to fully develop Sri Lanka.
Tilvin met with one of the seven most influential members of the Communist Party’s Politburo. His public endorsement of this statement echoes Gnanaseeha Thero’s earlier call for a strongman-style regime while maintaining close strategic ties with Beijing.
Whether Tilvin disclosed a private conversation with China’s consent remains unknown. Such remarks risk shaping public perception that Beijing supports the JVP’s long-term grip on power. Given the diplomatic sensitivities, the onus now falls on China to clarify the context of Tilvin’s comments to prevent further political fallout.
SOURCE :- SRI LANKA GUARDIANS
