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Sri Lanka's JVP Party to Stage Massive Protest Against Govt
Sri Lanka's leftist party JVP or People's Liberation Front will go on to stage a massive islandwide protest against the privatization of government enterprises and the constant soaring of prices of essential commodities and services, party officials said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a news briefing held in Colombo, the capital, Politburo member of the JVP D. Lakantha said that the party is currently operating directly 23 trade unions in the government sector and the members of these trade unions have agreed to launch the protest.
Party officials also said that they hope to distribute leaflets in an effort to inform the public of their objective as an initial measure of the protest campaign.
Nandana Gunathilake, a JVP PM said that the government has increased the prices of essential consumer items several times during a very short period, which has affected the normal life style of the people. They want to tell the government that they started the campaign to see an end to this situation, he added.
The government increased the bus fares by 15 percent last week following the latest price hike of gas, diesel and kerosene at the end of last year.
The JVP's planned protest came after its Monday demonstration staged in Colombo in protest of Norway's mediation for solving the country's 18-year ethnic war between the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels and government forces as well as the soaring prices of essential commodities and services.
The protesters said that Norwegian peace plan would lead to the division of the small island country.
Police dispersed the demonstrators holding posters, placards and banners with tear gas. At least 12 people were injured and admitted to the Colombo National Hospital for treatment.
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