JVP says dissidents forming a new party is no threat to the party

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told journalists in Colombo that the dissidents do not have to set conditions through media as they know where the party HQ is.

The JVP was commenting on parliamentary group leader, Wimal Weerawansa setting a deadline until 01 May for the party hierarchy to offer talks over the split.

New political movement

A new ‘political movement’ will be formed unless the deadline is met by the leaders, Mr. Weerawansa told journalists on Tuesday.

	Dissidents says threats against them are still continuing

JVP’s presidential candidate at the 1999 elections, Nandana Gunathilake, MP, Kamal Deshapriya alias Senevi and many others are invited to join the movement, he added.

However, the JVP said the proposed movement led by propaganda secretary pose no threat to the party.

There have been many such parties were formed before and the JVP is not at all worried about such ‘sheds’, the General Secretary added.

Threats ‘continued’

The JVP was accused of assaulting and threatening rebel MPs after the split on 08 April, but no threats to the dissidents were reported after few initial incidents.

However Mr. Weerawansa says his supporters are still being threatened by the JVP.

Many of our MPs were threatened by groups came to their houses. These incidents are not reported in media   Wimal Weerawansa, MP

Padma Udaya Shantha Gunasekara, MP, was threatened with death on Monday over the phone, Wimal Weerawansa said.

“Many of our MPs were threatened by groups came to their houses. These incidents are not reported in media,” he told journalists on Tuesday.

However, the JVP denied unleashing violence against the dissidents.

“The alleged threats are their own creations to justify their leaving the party,” Tilvin Silva said.

Stressing that Mr. Weerawansa still holds the post of Propaganda Secretary, the General Secretary said Mr. Weerawansa’s party membership will cease as soon as he forms a new party.