LTTE declares unilateral ceasefire -Government rejects the offer

The LTTE Political Wing announced it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from 26th July to 4th August, but the government of Sri Lanka rejects rebels offer and said no discussions with any party on this matter.

Responding an oral question rose by Parliamentarian Mr.Wimal Weerawansa, in parliament today Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the government does not response this offer. He said a number of local and international allies try to stop operations against the rebels.

�At present government is defeating the terrorists .We never stop these operations, he said.

A rebel statement said the Tigers would refrain from military action during the 15th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference but warned they would be forced to take \"defensive action\" if the island\'s military carried out any offensives against them.

The government sources further said it had not received an official ceasefire notification from the rebels and expressed wariness about the move.

Meanwhile the head of the government peace secretariat, Rajiva Wijesinghe, said the government needs time to carefully consider the LTTE call for a ceasefire during the SAARC summit and will wait till it is officially communicated.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080722013647.php

Full text of the press release of the LTTE,
http://www.ltteps.org/?view=2218&folder=2

Video Source,
http://www.itn.lk/news_04_20080722.html

Somawansa et al throw book at Wimal, demand Rs. 20 mn Neththa Venuvata Eththa

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has been served letters of demand for Rs. 10 million each by the lawyers of JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and General Secretary Tilvin Silva for an alleged breach of copyright due to the publication of his book ‘Nettha Venuvata Aththa.’

The separate letters of demand sent by the lawyers for Amerasinghe and Silva state:

"We are instructed by our client that you have authored and/or claimed to have authored and published and/or caused to publish a book titled ‘Naththa Wenuwata Attha’ and have marketed the said book for a sum of Rs. 250/- per copy.

You have further said that such book had been re-printed and published within a week of its 1st publication and thus admitted the fact that you have economically benefited out of such publication.

We have instruction from our client to write to you stating that you have included several un-published letters authored by our client which are his original work in the said book into and/or in a substantial re-production of the said works of our client without his consent and/or approval and/or authorization.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/07/17/news15.html

JVP has become LTTE cat’s paw - Wimal

The diehard JVP leadership has become the LTTE’s unofficial cat’s paw. The party has been driven to a sorry state because certain party members have begun to work according to an agenda of some foreign powers active within the party, said the Janatha Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) President Wimal Weerawansa.

He was addressing its inaugural meeting at the Ananda Samarakoon theatre, Negegoda recently.

He said today the JVP has turned to be Ranil’s junior team. For over two years we struggled to change the direction, the party was following.

When it was found our efforts were in futile, we left the party and formed the JNP, so that we were ready to face any challenges. Party President, Wimal Weerawansa, General Secretary Nandana Gunatilleke, National Organiser Kamal Deshapriya and shttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifeveral others participated.

A large number of invitees including the members of the clergy was also present. Several artistes including Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Lal Kularatne, Rogger Seneviratne and Cyril Enderamulla received the party membership.

read more,
http://www.srilankanewsweb.com/news.view.php?fldNewsID=14260

More photos,
http://www.nffsrilanka.com/gallery.html

video source,
http://youtube.com/user/sinhahada

Wimal-Pillaiyan in ‘historic’ pow-wow

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday appeared to have found a new political ally in the shape of Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan, who pledged his support to the NFF if it decided to compete in the Eastern Province.

In an event which resembled the reunion of two long-separated brothers amidst surprising ‘closeness,’ the Eastern Province Chief Minister who later addressed the media, briefly said that the discussions between the two parties had turned out successfully and that the TMVP would support the NFF if the occasion demanded.

“If the NFF decides to take part in elections in the east, we will support them. We plan to meet again in the future for further discussions because the discussions we had today were highly successful,” Pillayan said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by NFF Leader Weerawansa. “This was our first meting with TMVP Leader Pillaiyan and we hope to meet again in the future to discuss the political situation prevailing in Sri Lanka,” Weerawansa added.

Meanwhile, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP K.D. Lalkantha said that this new “friendship” between the two was nothing that was unexpected since Weerawansa had been acting like a TMVP member during the last few months.

“Wimal has the freedom to meet anybody he wishes to. However, this was something that was waiting to happen. Wimal has been supporting Pillaiyan and the TMVP for the last few months. He justified the armed Pillaiyan’s victory at the Eastern Provincial Council election so this we believe is a step taken by Pillaiyan to express his gratitude to Wimal,” Lalkantha added.

Extracted from,
http://www.nation.lk/2008/06/29/news7.htm
Photos,
http://www.nffsrilanka.com/news.html

NFF decided to hold public rallies in Sri Lanka

National Freedom Front [NFF] plans to hold a series of public rallies to educate masses on prevailing challenges of Sri Lanka.

Its spokesman said these rallies would not criticize the JVP or its activities but educate the public on present challenges, which are before the country. Leader of the NFF Wimal Weerawansa , Nandana Gunathilaka and other leading members of the NFF will address these rallies.

According to the NFF sources its first rally will be held on 30th of this month at Nugegoda .

�This is the first rally of the NFF� , said a spokesman of the party.

He said the NFF recently made an application to the Election Commissioner and asked to obtain Commissioner�s recognition as a political party. He said the Election Commissioner�s ruling on their application would be received within next few days.

extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/srilanka/20080627134725.php

Sri Lanka to establish a council to prevent LTTE attacks on civilians

Sri Lanka is planning to establish an all party security council under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to prevent LTTE attacks on the civilians in the country, the government said today.

The council is based on a proposal put forward by the by the members of the newly formed breakaway Marxist party National Freedom Front (NFF).

NFF leader MP Wimal Weerawansa handed over its proposals for setting up of an All Party Defence Council to President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday at the Temple Trees.

MP Weerawansa offering his party’s support to reach an all party consensus to establish the council pointed out that the party could play a pivotal role in empowering the civilian masses to protect themselves from the LTTE threats.

Preliminary talks pertaining to the establishment of this Council will commence in next week, government announced.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/June17114536CH.html

JNP calls for All Party Defence Committee

In the backdrop of increased threats on civilian security, the Jathika Nidhahas Peramuna (JNP) headed by Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa yesterday called for the setting up of an All Party Defence Committee to ensure public safety.

Addressing the media, Weerawansa said the cornered Tigers were now resorting to attacking soft targets such as the vulnerable public transport, to divert attention from the northern front where it was facing an imminent defeat.

The JNP identified three reasons which they claimed was the intention behind the LTTE's series of attacks on civilian targets.

The first was to create a climate of fear among the public and in turn force the Government to agree to another ceasefire agreement to gain some breathing space for the terrorists.

The second was to divert attention and force the security establishment to deploy a large military contingent in the city and suburbs, thus preventing attempts by Security Forces in their march ahead and to open an alternative route to A-9 road.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/06/09/pol01.asp

“The JVP has abandoned what they should be doing” — Weerawansa

Controversial ex-JVPer Wimal Weerawansa, in an interview with The Nation recently explained the agenda of his newly formed National Freedom Front. He said, the new party intends to fill the void left by the JVP. “The JVP has abandoned what they should be doing, and are gradually retracting to the days that were left behind a long time ago.

Therefore, the task of the NFF would be to fill that void left by the JVP,” he said. Also, despite the belief that Weerawansa has lost his former fiery wit, since his expulsion from the former rebel group, he displayed ample verbal prowess when charging his former bedfellows of various foul deeds. He pointed out that if the JVP continued to resort to such devious methods of intimidation, it would lead the country’s youth back towards the dark days…

Following are the excerpts:

Q: What is the agenda of the National Freedom Front (NFF)?
A: The foremost expectation in forming the NFF is to fight for the country’s freedom. Although it says that we gained freedom from the British 60 years ago, we never enjoyed real freedom over those 60 years. Each and every leader who was appointed by the people’s sovereignty did not rule according to the people’s wish, but according to the agendas of certain foreign powers.

The tragic situation the country has fallen into at present is a direct result of following foreign agendas. Therefore, even after 60 years since the British left, we still have to strive for national freedom. The NFF, as its name suggests, plans to achieve socio-cultural, economic and political freedom for the country. It is our main agenda.

Q: Do you plan to invite groups with similar sentiments to join hands with you?
A: Definitely. The NFF was formed by the individuals who were ready at that time to form such a movement. The doors are open for those who genuinely want freedom for the country, to join the NFF. I stress that they must genuinely love the motherland.

Read more,
http://www.nation.lk/2008/06/01/inter2.htm

Somawansa has become a puppet of JVP’s UNP sympathizers - Nandana

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe has become a puppet in the hands of a powerful segment within the party which is fast becoming a crutch to the main Opposition UNP, General Secretary of the newly formed National Freedom Front and one time JVP Presidential candidate, parliamentarian Nandana Gunatilake said yesterday.

"In the issue of ousting Wimal Weerawansa and others, who dissented against this conspiracy, Comrade Amarasinghe was used to the hilt. He, who once led the campaign of rebuilding the party from ruins, came under the pressure of several conspirators and cracked. He let the conspirators take control and is now politically assassinated," Gunatilake told a media conference at the National Library and Documentation Center in Colombo.

The conspirators within the party had been bought over by the UNP to destroy the JVP, he said. "Comrade Amarasinghe, by giving into the conspirators is also partially responsible for the crisis the party faces today," he said.

Gunatilake said there was speculation in the media recently that Somawansa Amarasinghe would be replaced at the fifth JVP convention scheduled to be held today.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/27/news3.html

JVP’s branch in Japan ceases funding, more to follow "May have to rob petrol sheds again"

The JVP yesterday received a heavy blow to its fund raising on the international front as its branch in Japan, which had poured in billions of rupees, severed all connections with the party over the ousting of Wimal Weerawansa and ten other MPs along with a large number of party members.

"Our comrades in Japan had directed all money they earned to the party fund. They were under orders to send their pay-packets home and were allowed only to keep a meager sum for subsistence. We funded all elections except for the recent polls to the Eastern Provincial Council.

Other than this the Japanese branch had loaned a large sum of money on various occasions at the request of party leader Somawansa Amarasinghe. Not a cent of the loans was repaid and we did not even request that the loans be repaid as we were clear about our priorities. Now we understand that our sacrifices had been misused," organiser of the JVP’s Japan Branch Saman Priyankara said in a letter addressed to JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.

He said party leader Somawansa Amarasinghe had come under the grip of several top rankers acting like frogs in the well and he had mixed up the party’s priorities and had commenced to silence dissent against it.

"The leader of the party should have acted prudently and respected the opinion of the majority within the politburo and central committee. Instead he gave into several front liners. The end result was a major split in the party resulting in the loss of eleven MPs including Wimal Weerawansa, a large number of provincial and local government level representatives and full timers in almost all districts."

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/22/news1.html

JVP not in tune with new challenges - Wimal

The current JVP leadership has failed to respond to issues created by new challenges or accept those challenges other than merely being an alternative to the traditional Left, leader of the newly-established National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday addressing the party's first general summit at the BMICH, Colombo.

Weerawansa recalled that the JVP was created by the late Rohana Wijeweera with the noble objective of fighting imperialism 43 years ago on May 14, 1965 while offering solutions to identified issues.

The Eastern provincial council election result has clearly showed the present deterioration of the JVP whereas the party could win with a clear majority at earlier elections. But as the result of weakness of the party leadership the JVP has failed to identify the pulse of the ordinary masses, he added.

"The adamant party leadership and some high rankers within it were not ready to accept the present day challenges even though we tried to steer the party on the correct path," Weerawansa said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/15/pol03.asp
Photo,
http://www.dinamina.lk/2008/05/15/mainpic.asp?pic=mainpic_L.jpg

Launch of Wimal Weerawansa's party on May 14

JVP breakaways Wimal Weerawansa and Nandana Gunatilake will launch their political party in Colombo on May 14th, an activist in their political movement said..

There will be 350 invitees when the new movement, which is yet to be given a name, makes its debut at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies at the BMICH.

Messrs. Weerawansa and Gunatilake are due to meet the Elections Commissioner on the previous day to register it as a recognized political party.

May 14, 2008 is of special significance to the JVP, as the day marks the 43rd anniversary of the leftist party founded by the late Rohana Wijeweera.

An events organizing firm has been entrusted with the propaganda and other activities in connection with the occasion, the spokesman said.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/politics/20080511012803.php

Wimal and Nandana agreed to form a new political party

Parliamentarian Nandana Gunatillake, said that they would form a new political party in the near future. He said that he has already discussed with Wimal Weerawansa about this party.

The new political movement will also include those who have left the JVP in dejection, and that doors were open for any would-be deserter as well, Mr. Gunatilake said.

Speaking to media regarding his talks with Mr. Weerawansa, the JVP MP said that the new movement would be launched this month.

The new party would be registered with the Elections Commissioner after May 10th, he added.

In the meantime, While claiming that the party membership of dissident MP Wimal Weerawansa would be cancelled constitutionally, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva today said that Weerawasna should contact the party directly without conveying massages through media.

He said the Central Committee of the JVP would take a decision regarding Wimal Weerawansa soon.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10903

Wimal and Nandana join hands against Somawansa

JVP dissident group leader Wimal Weerawansa said he plans to form a new political movement if the party leadership fails to approach them for talks before 1st of May.

"We are waiting for a green light from the JVP to patch up the problem. But the behavior of the party never shows a green light. Even yesterday some of the JVP supporters have threaten the dissidents. If it will fail he will form a new political party with the support of the National patriotic Movement," he said.

Already the dissidents have started discussions with Ex-JVP front liner and former Presidential candidate Nandana Gunathilaka to get his support.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/10836

Weerawansa gets security boost

Controversy rigged former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) strongman Wimal Weerawansa, who is now residing in an undisclosed location, has been given a security boost by the government.

Reports claimed that Weerawansa had shifted houses owing to security concerns.
“Only his close confidants are aware of his exact location now,” sources said.
“Weerawansa, his wife and their children have all shifted to a safer place,” the sources said.

Weerawansa was reportedly residing in Nugegoda before moving to the secret relocation, although his Parliamentary records state that he was re siding in Malabe.
Several other JVP Parliamentarians, now in the Weerawansa camp have also been given a security boost, it is learnt.

Extracted from,
http://www.nation.lk/2008/04/20/news12.htm

Sri Lanka Marxist party says government is behind the internal rift of JVP

Sri Lanka's Marxist party, Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government was behind the conspiracy in creating an internal rift in the party.

JVP Secretary Tilvin Silva had told media that “It is Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government who is behind this. They wanted to put the JVP in their pocket for their own benefit.”

Quoting Mr. Silva, media reports said that however, instead of joining the government for a few ministerial portfolios, the JVP presented a set of policies consisting of 20 proposals.

Through the ousted party member Wimal Weerawansa, the government attempted to drive the JVP according to their own preferences, in a way that would not pose a threat to them. After using Wimal to know of the JVP’s plans, they sought to act accordingly, he said.

Read more,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/April19151013JV.html

Wimal in hiding, Vehicles of three rebels robbed Police believe JVP behind robberies, threats

JVP parliamentary group leader and Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa has gone into hiding following death threats to him and the ten JVP MPs who backed him after the party split early this week. Weerawansa had left his residence yesterday on the advise of his supporters and gone into hiding following his differences with the party leadership, political sources said.

Meanwhile, the vehicles belonging to three JVP parliamentarians, who are backing Weerawansa, had been forcibly taken away by unidentified groups. A senior police officer said the vehicles of Piyasiri Wijenayake and Achala Jagoda had been robbed on Wednesday from the Parliament garage and the vehicle of Samansiri Herath was taken away by a group of persons who had gone to his home at Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw the same night.

The group which had robbed the vehicles from the parliament members’ garage had also attacked a policeman there. He was admitted to hospital.

The Chilaw police said Samansiri Herath had made a complaint that a group of persons had come to see him on Wednesday at his home at Arachchikattuwa. They were engaged in a cordial conversation but suddenly started arguing with him. They had then assaulted his driver and taken his vehicle.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/04/11/news1.html

Somawanasa insists Wimal pay to repair Bell Accuses him of disobedience

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe yesterday set tough conditions for dissident Parliamentary Group Leader Wimal Weerawansa’s return to the party and the eventual resolution of the crisis triggered by his refusal to carry out decisions of the Party’s decision making body.

Rejecting Weerawansa’s claim of a conspiracy to oust him, Amarasinghe said the MP could come back but that would be subject to his readiness to abide by the Party Constitution.

Addressing a hastily arranged press conference at the Sri Lanka Library Services Board, a furious JVP Chief emphasized that Weerawansa should respect the opinion of the majority. "We’ll not tolerate dissenting views in public. Once a decision is taken on any issue, it would stand," he said.

Flanked by MPs Lal Kantha, Vijitha Herath and Chandrasene Wijesinghe, Amarasinghe asserted that unlike the UNP and the SLFP they wouldn’t turn a blind eye to indiscipline. Weerawansa couldn’t take a different view in public at the expense of the party, he said, acknowledging there wouldn’t and couldn’t be any exception even for him.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/04/10/news1.html

Wimal Weerawansa confirms his suspension -Video of the special speech in parliment

Source,
Youtube

Wimal Weerawansa – An extraordinary leader among the ordinary

The marketing people can temporally blow up character of an ordinary person using well planned publicity campaigns on different themes. The white feather of a feeble clown may be presented to general public as a prince of peace. Licking of boots of colonial masters may well be presented as international diplomacy. However those are mere artificial boosting and dumb character will surface with time.

In the same time, there are extra ordinary people who are born gifted. They have personality that is unique and excel in multitude of disciplines. Wimal Weerawansa is clearly fallen into that rare category. He is a natural born leader with genuine attraction of common people of the country. He is not mere a politician or political activist, but a man with great visionary and aim. That is why he succeeds in all his social and political endeavors.

Wimal Weerawansa is undoubtedly the most eloquent speaker in contemporary politics. His speeches are not only expressive but also extremely logical and realistic. That is why he has become a genuine crowd puller in various political and social movements. He single handedly attracted large number of liberal youth in to the JVP vote bank.

Read more,
http://lankarising.blogspot.com/2008/04/