The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) commemoration ceremony marking the 36th Il Maha Viru Samaruma, the annual ‘Commemoration of November Heroes’ held in honour of those who sacrificed their lives, was held in Colombo.
The event was led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre in Colombo.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s full statement at the event is as follows;
We have gathered here today to commemorate our comrades, in their tens of thousands, including Comrade Rohana Wijeweera, who built, gave life to and spiritually shaped our Party, founded thirty-six years ago. They made significant sacrifices and established enduring examples that still inspire us and impart deep lessons.
For thirty-six years since 1989, we have spoken of them. We have commemorated them. Yet, this occasion is different from all those before. Back then, when we spoke of them, when we reflected on the qualities we had to embody within our movement, it was as a party striving to gain power. Currently, we refer to them as a political party that has successfully gained power. The lessons they taught back then helped us in achieving that victory. Likewise, those very lessons and experiences will continue to guide us in sustaining this power and uplifting the living standards of our people.
What is required, then? Some individuals attempt to draw comparisons between this government and those from the past. But how can such comparisons be valid? Comparisons are only possible when two governments share the same characteristics. However, this government is distinct from those that came before it. Ours is a government founded on a robust, institutionalized connection with the people. Thus, as we move forward on this journey, there is a great deal we must learn from our predecessors.
What has changed in us? We were once people who struggled with selfless devotion to gain power. Today, we are people who, with that same selflessness, struggle to use power to rebuild the lives of the people. The only difference lies between the purposes then and the purposes now. And in fulfilling those purposes, all of us are united in our effort. This is not the result of any individual’s struggle, but the outcome of the collective sacrifices and commitments made by everyone who has been part of this movement throughout its history. This transfer of power is the continuation of that struggle, not some miraculous achievement realised in three or four years.
What are these qualities? The same virtues that Comrade Rohana Wijeweera and our countless comrades taught us through the supreme sacrifice of their lives: the virtue of perseverance, never giving up, no matter how difficult the circumstances. It is our solemn duty to uphold that commitment, to continue the fight firmly and to fulfil our responsibility for the victory and progress of this nation.
Our movement possesses a special quality, one that has been forged as the collective expression of each individual’s strength of character. Therefore, we have a duty, both individually and collectively, to protect that virtue.
Compared to the time when we struggled to seize power, today there are many elements pointed at us, scrutinizing us. Why? At that time, they envisioned a movement affecting two, three, or possibly four percent and at most nine or ten percent of the population. Some said that such revolutionary movements exist everywhere in the world and always remain of that size. In Sri Lanka too, we accepted that as our reality. We never imagined that such a movement could come to power. Yet, something unexpected happened, that very two or three per cent rose to power in this country. As a result, many were thrown into disappointment, frustration and even psychological distress. Their attention has now turned towards us more than ever before; they are scrutinizing us much more than ever before.
Therefore, we have a responsibility to show that this power is not a tool to oppress the people, nor something to be worn arrogantly as a crown of pride. The path to gaining this power was by no means an easy one.
In 1989, thousands, including Comrade Wijeweera, sacrificed their lives for this movement. A large portion of the backbone of our organisation was lost. Yet, even in the face of torture, execution and imprisonment, they preserved the essence of our movement, the same essence that gave us the strength to rebuild in 1994. Thereafter, we rebuilt under immense hardship. Along this journey, we passed through several decisive crossroads. In 2008, part of the mass movement broke away and fell into the enemy’s hands. Only two months before, those who shared the same meals and rooms with their comrades suddenly turned against the movement and began to hurl every possible accusation against us.
Initially, their criticisms seemed to gain traction. But today, neither those criticisms nor those who voiced them have life left in them. They live, yet they are like lifeless dying bodies. Then in 2011, a major internal crisis emerged in our organisational structure, a significant split. Many left the Party. Alongside that came a flood of false allegations and slander. As I said before, within weeks, people who had once stood together crossed over to the other side. Directly or indirectly, they began constructing theories in line with the wishes of the enemy, claiming that our path was wrong, that there existed a more revolutionary road and that our way would soon end in failure, that it would become the tool of a reactionary political force. They began speaking to the hearts of our comrades, trying to convince them of this “truer” revolutionary path. Some followed them. Yet today, those very people are the ones shaping the ideologies of regressive parties.
For all of us here, that was a great shock. Thus, we had to decide, would we allow the Party to fall under such internal reactionary tendencies, or would we fight against them? During that discussion, our General Secretary, Comrade Tilvin, said: “Brother, we could overlook this if that political tendency were correct. But the political line they follow is deeply flawed; therefore, we must fight against it.” That is how this movement was rebuilt. Those who once stood beside us, who guided us, departed. They conspired against us. They filled newspaper pages with slander against our comrades. But we had determination.
We did not stop there. The public’s attention towards us began to fade. A Party that once represented 39 MPs fell to six, then to three. Our vote share dropped to three per cent. Within the party and even from the external society, we became a political movement dismissed by society. Even our friends said to us, “Comrade, if the people don’t want you, go and do something else.” But we had one unshaken determination that we would fight for this change until the day we die.
Our elders gathered here today have, throughout their lives, remained steadfastly devoted to this movement. Though they may not have had the opportunity to attain the power they long hoped for, they never gave up. With faith, unity and brotherhood, they stood shoulder to shoulder, continuing their support without wavering. Some individuals raised doubts about the origins and timing of power. Some argued that for us to grow from three percent to real strength, we would have to rise by 1500 %. Others said that even if power were won, there would be no team to sustain it, no capacity to forge international relations, no ability to manage the economy. They spread only negativity and doubt.
Yet within this movement were men and women, mothers and fathers, who refused to surrender. With determination and hope, they dreamed of a brighter tomorrow. Those very people are gathered here today. You have always carried hope in your hearts. And I firmly believe that the hopeful dream we all once shared together has now been realized we have attained power.
Never did us plan the moment we would gain power. We simply worked with genuine commitment. Power was never even placed upon our agenda.
Following the 2019 election, our movement’s support dwindled to 3%. The political and economic crises, along with societal perceptions of us, pushed us to the brink. Even before the excitement surrounding both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections had faded, a government with a two-thirds majority in Parliament and a President who secured 6.8 million votes appeared robust. We were convinced that power was once more within reach.
During a discussion with university academics on Zoom, I said that we had already prepared a plan to gain power that we would achieve it next. After the meeting, one of the academics called me privately and asked, “Did you say that merely to encourage the group, or did you truly mean it?” And I said, “We truly meant it because we know we can do it.” Thereafter, we worked tirelessly for it walking through villages, working for a new path without rest. We had the determination and faith that the next moment of transition would bring power into our hands. If our efforts were to be recorded, it would be known as one of the most active and determined movements in Sri Lanka’s political history.
A rare moment had arrived when our vision aligned perfectly with the will of the people. For the first time in history, another party succeeded in forming a government with the largest number of Members of Parliament positions. Today, we have stabilised certain sectors and others are well on their way. But the stability of a government does not rest upon the number of parliamentary seats it depends on how deeply the people are bound to that Government. Even today, we can proudly say that even those who did not vote for us are watching with confidence and trust.
At the same time, we must pursue profound political transformation. The immense wealth concentrated at the top must flow down to the grassroots. The living standards of our ordinary citizens must be raised. We understand the dignity and social worth of the village farmer. It is not merely their economic value that we must restore, but the respect and recognition they deserve in society.
Our natural resources, our strategic position and our human potential these must all be wisely managed, so that their benefits are shared among the people. Yet, before all else, we must establish economic stability.
Today, the value of the dollar changes from one day to the next, it is unstable. We must possess the ability to forecast what the economy will face tomorrow. That is the most essential feature of any sound economy: the ability to see ahead. In the past, we lacked that foresight.
In 2021, international rating agencies warned that our economy was at risk. But the Minister of at that time dismissed it as an international conspiracy. What followed? The dollar soared to nearly 400 rupees; in the black market, even 420 and 430. Inflation climbed to 70%. Neither the government nor the people could take decisive action. Professionals and doctors left the country. Hospitals faced severe shortages of specialist physicians. No one could predict what lay ahead for our nation. That was the state of the country then.
But today, I can tell you with confidence: within just one year, we have built an economy and a political system stable enough to forecast what tomorrow will bring. We can now foresee that this government will remain steady. Remember that well and do not doubt it. We can predict where the economy stands and what will happen in the year ahead.
Many say that in 2028, we must repay our debts. Yes we shall. We are building an economy capable of doing so. In truth, we have been conservative in our projections. We forecasted a budget deficit of 6.7 percent because we believed we could perform even better. And indeed, for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history, the deficit was reported at 5.2 percent.
In the past, forecasts were always exceeded economists predicted five percent and ended up at ten. But for the first time, we have exceeded our revenue targets. Some sarcastically said, “Even a Montessori child could do that.” I smiled, because it was not an insult it was, in fact, a recognition that even a child, given the right foundation, can succeed.
Today, we can forecast with clarity where the economy will stand next year, and the year after. That, my friends, is what truly defines a stable economy. We have transformed our nation to reach that point.
Now, the Treasury is in possession of real funds. Yes, funds that truly exist. In the past, resources were spent before they even reached the Treasury again and again they were squandered. In 2017, the Treasury was operating on an overdraft of 575 billion rupees.
In simple terms there was no money in the account, yet spending continued. That was the country we inherited.
But today, we have brought the Treasury under disciplined management. We have restored financial order, mobilised revenue and ensured that every rupee is accounted for. As a result, we now have the ability to control the monetary market effectively.
My friends, we have endured, we have persevered, and we have transformed. And together, we shall continue to build a nation that is not only stable but strong, confident and self-reliant.
Our financial market had once fallen out of control. Treasury bill rates had risen to 33–34% and as a result, average bank interest rates climbed to 35–36%, bringing the entire economy to a standstill.
Today, investors in Treasury bills know that the government has adequate financial reserves. When we participate in Treasury auctions, if the offered interest rate is too high, we ourselves purchase the bills. Therefore, we have been able to maintain Treasury bill interest rates at around 8.3% for an extended period. This stability has also enabled banks to keep their interest rates at a lower and more sustainable level.
If the Treasury remains inactive, the government’s financial control begins to weaken. However, today we have built a stable and resilient economy. We are providing relief to the best of our ability.
We are aware of the issues faced by potato and onion farmers. Currently, the government does not have a proper mechanism to purchase potatoes and onions. While there is a system in place for the government to purchase paddy, no such mechanism exists for these essential crops such as potatoes and onions. Therefore, under this year’s Budget, we have allocated Rs. 1000 million to establish a mechanism, similar to the Paddy Marketing Board, using Sathosa to purchase potatoes and onions. This type of initiative has not been implemented in the past 76 years. Every year, when the potato and onion harvest season arrives, the same problem recurs.
We have established a mechanism that engages directly with the daily lives of consumers, the core sectors of the economy and the most critical points of economic activity, allowing it to intervene as a competitor alongside the government. Through this approach, we aim to protect both consumer rights and producer rights, while safeguarding the country’s financial independence. At the same time, we have strengthened the rule of law. Today, we have proven that no one in this country is above the law. Everyone is equally accountable under it, a fundamental and essential achievement for our nation.
Furthermore, our country is not merely facing a drug menace it is also threatened by a criminal underworld intertwined with that menace. We have made a firm decision to eradicate these dark criminal networks in order to protect our motherland and safeguard the future of our children.
Our nation has also suffered from a history of broken national unity. Whenever social unrest or conflict arose, it was always the ordinary people who suffered, while rulers used racism and nationalism as tools for their own survival. They fueled divisions based on ethnicity and culture for political gain. We will never allow racism to rise again.
Today, we can confidently invite the citizens of this country, the industrialists, entrepreneurs and Sri Lankans living abroad to join us in rebuilding the nation. We have already laid a strong and stable foundation. This is the balance sheet of one year’s progress. We invite all investors, entrepreneurs and expatriate Sri Lankans to bring new investments into the country. Through this year’s Budget, we have strengthened economic stability and opened the path for sustainable development. Certain sectors have already been liberalized and there is still a long journey ahead one that will lead us toward a stronger and more prosperous Sri Lanka.
Therefore, our entire system of governance and administration is being directed toward fulfilling our responsibility to the people. To achieve this, our Ministers and Members of Parliament are working tirelessly, without hesitation. This is a duty that must be fulfilled, a commitment between the government and the people. However, while striving to meet this responsibility, we have seen the rise of a “voice-cut” style of politics; where some believe that mere sound represent the voice of the people. We will never misuse the powers of government to act against the opposition. Our actions are not divided by party or political affiliation; we carry out our responsibilities impartially. At the same time, we are building a progressive people’s movement to stand firmly against this regressive political culture and move the nation forward.
Unlike in the past, we will never use the Criminal Investigation Department, the Bribery Commission, the Judiciary or state power to suppress the opposition. However, our party and our movement, backed by the strength of the people’s mandate, will completely silence those petty, disruptive voices. As we begin the coming year, our goal must be to rally the full force of the people’s power against regression and backward politics. We will rise above these political distractions and stay focused on our mission. We do not use governance as a tool of political manipulation. In governance, everyone is equal and before the law, every citizen stands equal.
However, we must build the widespread possible people’s movement against political regression and we are fully prepared to do so. We have become the heirs of a long and historic struggle and today, we stand as the present-day bearers of that legacy. As a result of that journey, we have come to power. Therefore, more than anyone else, we carry upon our shoulders the spiritual weight and responsibility of our brothers and sisters who shaped that history. We are not merely seated in borrowed chairs, nor have we inherited power by chance. Let us remember that this power was born out of great sacrifice and dedication. Hence, it is not only our responsibility, but also that of the citizens who entrusted us with this mandate to safeguard and uphold this power with integrity.
Today, those opposing us find themselves in such difficulty that they cannot even mount a credible criticism against us. We have two responsibilities, one to history and the other to the present of our citizens. We need to guarantee that this power is never used as a means for selfish purposes or as a weapon controlled by a select few. Power should never be an objective in itself. We need to recognize that our power is meant to support the citizen, equally and to collaborate in the effort to restore this nation.
Moreover, our victories are not achieved individually but through collective effort. Even under extremely challenging conditions and politically adverse circumstances, the key to achieving unexpected success has been our unity. Our governance is sustained by this very unity through the cooperation between the government and the citizens and between the government and our allies. This is why we share a collective bond and we must uphold it together.
We must unite and struggle together. We have carefully prepared comprehensive plans, all designed to advance this collective effort. It is on this basis that we place our trust in the wisdom, experiences and life lessons of our departed brothers and sisters from 88–89, whose guidance has been accumulated over our long history to help us attain power and achieve victory. For this purpose, I urge everyone to unite in solidarity.
May victory be with us all!