During the 2024 presidential election, after Thalatha Athukorala withdrew from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, popular actress and SLPP parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe appeared on Sajith’s stage in Kandy. Within 24 hours of Geetha expressing her support for Sajith, JVP presidential candidate Anura mocked her, saying it was like “giving up Thalatha and taking Geetha instead.” At the same time, JVP social media launched a massive smear campaign against Geetha.
It wasn’t only Geetha who was targeted. Hirunika Premachandra, a strong female figure in the SJB, and veteran actress Damitha Abeyratne, who came from the protest movement to support Sajith, were also attacked with mudslinging on JVP social media. During a protest, when Hirunika intervened with police and photos circulated of her pressed against a burly officer, JVP social media posted obscene remarks.
Geetha Kumarasinghe is considered Sri Lanka’s most popular actress, having won awards as both the best and most popular actress. Damitha Abeyratne is an internationally awarded actress. Hirunika Premachandra was the woman who led the first female protest against Gotabaya, right to his doorstep.
Harini is a university lecturer who entered Parliament through the JVP national list. During the 2015 and 2022 struggles against the Rajapaksas, her presence was not visible. When Hirunika and Damitha were protesting against Gotabaya, Harini’s name was never heard.
After the struggle ended, the Rajapaksas went home, and Ranil became president. It was only then, during an outdoor interview with foreign media, that Harini emerged. From there, she became a star among the university community, NGOs, and the elite. The JVP entrusted her with leading the women’s wing “Women Together as One.” Harini became a national star through the JVP women’s front. Her popularity was such that, as the Vijeyweera star faded, the Harini star rose within the National People’s Power.
“Anura cannot win. If Harini contests the presidential election, she will win…”
That was the sentiment expressed by upper-middle-class political circles.
The JVP’s rise is not Anura. If it were Anura, he wouldn’t have failed to get even 3% in the 2019 presidential election. The JVP’s rise is Harini. Recognizing this, the JVP abandoned Vijeyweera’s leftist ideology and embraced Harini’s liberalism. But at that time, the JVP did not realize that Harini’s liberalism would ultimately destroy the party.
“Just like giving up Vijeyweera and taking Harini…”
What happened to Anura is similar to what he said about Thalatha and Geetha: giving up Vijeyweera and taking Harini. Harini’s education module has placed not only the government but also the JVP in difficulty.
Keheliya Rambukwella was imprisoned because he played with patients’ lives. Harini, knowingly or unknowingly, is playing with the minds of children.
When Vijeyweera was released from prison, the first democratic uprising he led against JR’s government was the struggle against Ranil’s White Paper. He built the JVP’s second rise by networking universities and schools to fight against the White Paper. The struggle was so successful that JR, who once said “Man cannot be made a woman and a woman cannot be turned a man” but anything else is possible, feared the uprising against the White Paper. He did not fear the July 1980 strike, but he feared the White Paper struggle.
JR summoned his nephew Ranil and advised him to immediately withdraw the White Paper. Ranil came to Parliament and publicly announced that the White Paper would be suspended.
“Why does the JVP not have the same feeling about education that JR had…?”
C.W.W. Kannangara gave free education to Sri Lanka.
JR gave free textbooks to schoolchildren.
Ranasinghe Premadasa gave free uniforms and mid-day meals to schoolchildren.
“So is the JVP government now giving obscene website modules instead…?”
For this obscene website module, Harini must first apologize to the nation as Education Minister. Secondly, the education reforms must be withdrawn, and a new reform proposal drafted through a parliamentary select committee representing all parties be presented. An expert committee could also be appointed to support it.
If neither of these can be done, Harini should resign as Education Minister.
When the bond scam erupted, President Maithripala told Finance Minister Ravi to resign. He resigned to protect the government.
When the medicine scam broke out, President Ranil told Health Minister Keheliya to resign. He resigned to protect the government.
Over the issue of educational qualifications, Anura Kumara told Ranwala to resign. Ranwala resigned.
“So if Ranwala, a born and bred JVP man, was asked to resign, why is Anura afraid to ask Harini—who is a character created by the JVP itself—to resign…?”
“Just as JR told his nephew Ranil to withdraw the White Paper, why is Anura afraid to withdraw Harini’s education reforms…?”
The JVP believes this government was brought to power by its cadres. Anura believes it was brought to power by Harini’s liberal front.
‘Motherland or death’
‘Protect the motherland…’
This was the battle cry Rohana Vijeyweera gave the JVP.
‘Harini or death’
‘Protect Harini…’
This is now the JVP’s battle cry.
“Giving up Rohana Vijeyweera to the Frontline party and taking Harini into the JVP—that is what has happened.”
