JVP criticised for sabotaging peace efforts

[TamilNet, Sunday, 17 February 2002, 19:44 GMT]
The Colombo based Sinhalese weekly 'Hiru' has criticised the Marxist Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for its chauvinistic stance on the current peace initiatives by the United National Front government. "The JVP has violated all socialist norms by keeping silent on the political and economic rights of the Tamils in the Northeast province", the paper said in its political column Sunday.

"The JVP expects petty political gains by resorting to chauvinistic means. JVP lacks understanding and did not possess cohesive programme regarding the rights of the Tamil people in the country," the paper said.

"The JVP is now in the act of sabotaging the UNF government's efforts to ensure Tamils their rights and self respect", the Hiru commented.

It further said, "some Sinhalese extremist groups are agitating against the high cost of living in other parts of country while opposing sending food and medicine to Tamils in the Northeast province."

The JVP, which commands 16 seats in the present parliament, is now engaged in electioneering for the forthcoming local government elections, campaigning against the UNF government on the basis that it is adopting a policy of betraying the country to the LTTE.