Sri Lanka's Marxist party to form a broad front to fight the government

Sri Lanka's Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said Sunday that it has initiated a dialogue with democratic forces locally and internationally to form a broader front to fight "the anti-democratic and authoritarian trend of the government."

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a press briefing at the party headquarters today that it would continue to carry out anti-government protests and called for the release of its party members who were arrested in Galle last Thursday.
"Release our members in or else we will continue with the protests," Silva warned.
JVP Propaganda Secretary and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, DNA parliamentarian Ajith Kumara, Provincial Councilor Nalin Hewage and 10 other members were arrested in Galle after they participated in a protest calling for the release of DNA Leader Sarath Fonseka.
Silva charged that the tear gas attack on the JVP led DNA protest in Galle calling for Fonseka's release was a well planned attack carried out with government patronage.
He said the police attacked a peaceful demonstration, which was uncalled for, as any one has the right to demonstrate. "Even government members protested in front of the United Nations office in Colombo," he said.
Silva observed that JVP-DNA members who went to the police to lodge complaints were arrested accusing them of being the attackers.
"There are two methods followed by the government to silence the opposition. One is to give them perks and positions to silence them. The other was to directly attack the opposition, like what they did to us," Silva said.