The country was about to be separated. Our economy was being exploited by the imperialists and the country was to be engaged in a war: ANURA KUMARA

The JVP has admitted that entering into alliance politics with the SLFP in 2004 was a political mistake that compromised the party's identity.

Addressing a seminar in Polonnaruwa, the party's parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that it is not possible to overcome challenges without proper understanding and vision.

He said, as the existing left parties were not strong enough, comrade Rohana Wijeweera in 1965 formed a political party for the social class.

Mr. Dissanayake said that the Left Front forwarded 21 demands to the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government. This 21 demands movement was introduced with economic needs as well as political needs. Workers from factories readily joined the 21 demand movement. He said, by 2004, the UNP had planned to divide the country by introducing LTTE zones.

Mr. Dissanayake said: "The country was about to be separated. Our economy was being exploited by the imperialists and the country was to be engaged in a war". He said, "We were forced to join the government since the time was not appropriate for a social struggle. We joined with the SLFP to avert the imminent danger to the country. But when this government began to follow the old practices, we wanted to be separated from the government".

Mr. Dissanayake further said that they supported Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005 at the Presidential Election on conditions and again withdrew from his government in 2006. We supported former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka's Presidential election campaign.

"Although forming alliance was a correct decision under the situation that prevailed then. But we have reconsidered this decision with the recent history. Our party unanimously agree that the 2004 alliance politics as an error. Until 2004 we were forming our own identical political opinions in the country. But with the merger with the capitalist governments, the identity of our party became blurred to a certain extent" he said. As a revolutionary Max Leninist Party when we evaluate the history, we should accept our political errors. Our party has now identified these errors. We are determined to reject alliances and follow our own policies. He said that the dissidents need not pinpoint these situations to us. We accept constructive criticism and reject all destructive measures. he said.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka