On August 18 amidst deafening cheers, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) was finally announced as the Presidential hopeful of the National People’s Power (NPP) movement. The large crowds gathered mostly made up of JVP supporters at the Galle Face Green that day waited for with great anticipation.
It was a historic moment for the party. Not only had it been 20 years since the JVP had put forward a candidate for a Presidential election, but it also marked the birth of a new political movement with the JVP at its lead.
But hours before this much-awaited announcement, crowds had started gathering at Colombo’s seafront since mid-afternoon. For some, their journey had started in the wee hours of the morning. As the rally-goers alighted from their buses, they were seen making their way in an orderly fashion by foot to the rally ground.
Considering the crowds, remarkably absent were the usual road closures, traffic and other ensuing chaos in the form of inebriated supporters often associated with Sri Lankan political rallies. But the gathering was evidently made up of those from different walks of life, faiths and communities. A mother pushing in her wheelchair-bound son, a young couple with an infant, two Tamil sisters from the tea estates of Matugama, and an old Muslim man from Batticaloa had all decided to join other supporters to witness this announcement.
Ananda Premakumara (55) had travelled to Colombo from Anuradhapura along with his family to take part in the rally. His father had been a staunch supporter of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and was part of the traditional politics prevalent in Sri Lanka. But deciding to become a part of the National Intellectuals Organisation (NIO) aligned to the JVP recently, Premakumara says he has been actively trying to attract more people. “We are hopeful that the effort of the NIO and the NPP will become fruitful in the future,” he said.
According to Ravindra Perera, a former government employee from Dehiwala, governments over the years have failed to deliver on the promises to the public. “I remember the 1970 election well, and since then I have only seen governments fool the people,” he said. “This system must change,” he added. Coming from a left-leaning background, Perera says he believes this made him to be part of the inaugural NPP rally.
Unlike political rallies dominated by speeches of party leaders and politicians, the inaugural rally of the new NPP opened its stage for speeches by academics, professionals, trade unionists and activists among their ranks.
Addressing the rally, the General Secretary of the United Left Front (ULF) Lal Wijenayake said many historic political events had started from Galle Face Green, such as the 1953 August hartal. “That hartal was proof that the people’s power can overcome the power of the state,” he added. Those who were rejected by the people in 2015 have once again come to the fore ahead of the upcoming Presidential elections,” Wijenayake said.
“The people who violated human rights and the independence of the Judiciary are now seeking the mandate of the people based on family bandysm. Their aim is to reverse the process of democracy achieved in 2015. Comrade Anura has the right and credibility to contest in the Presidential Election,” he said, perhaps hinting at what was to come.
Veteran Novelist Jayathilaka Kammallaweera representing the Jana Niyamu Kalakaru Ekathuwa, said that a large number of artistes have now gathered around the Rajapaksa Walawwa hoping to obtain benefits and positions in the future. “But we have not joined the NPP expecting privileges,” he said. The artistes have decided to join the NPP as they found humanism within its fold.
“There are no fake patriots here, neither racists nor any casteists. There are no fake Buddhists who go from temple to temple with a television crew. Neither does this camp have those who obtained NICs and passports fraudulently,” he told a roaring crowd.
“There are no persons who swindled public money here. You will not find rapists, drug dealers, abductors of youth for ransom in this camp” he said. “But most importantly, there are no kings, royal families or slaves among us,” he said.
“This is the difference between the two camps and it is our responsibility to enlighten the people on the right path,” he said.
Actor Jagath Manuwarna in his speech referred to the proposed candidates of other parties and noted that people are well aware of their past. “From the Matale mass graves to the Lasantha Wickramatunge assassination, their history is written in blood,” he alleged. Other speeches, such as those of Women’s rights activist Saroja Paulraj who spoke of women’s sufferings under successive governments also received public applause.
A song calling for the people to rise and unite was sung by a group of youth in both Sinhala and Tamil rekindling memories of the party’s liberation songs of the Rohana Wijeweera era.
But as the sun began to set over the Galle Face, Prof Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Senior Lecturer of the University of Sabaragamuwa and Dramatists Muniyandi Kalidas had the honour to announce the NPP’s candidate.
Anura Dissanayake’s name was read out as the people rose from their seats to cheer and catch a glimpse of the candidate. Anura Kumara Dissanayake taking the stage pledged to both the NPP and the people that he would not betray the trust placed in him. “Facing failures, setbacks, challenges and at times victories, we have been engaged in politics to bring about a better future for this country and its people,” he said. Steering away from petty political promises, Dissanayake pledged to unite the country. “We will create a humane society and an honest political system and economic policies that will revitalise the ailing economy while ensuring its benefits trickle down to the working class.
The JVP leader invited the people to join hands with the NPP to ensure that their struggle will end in victory.
Pic by Rukmal Gamage